YOUR AD HERE »

Need a new wife?

Charles Agar

Calling all Aspen moms!Ever wondered what it would be like to have a new family? Casting agents from the ABC show “Wife Swap” want to give you a chance to find out.”It’s like walking in someone else’s shoes for a few weeks,” said Dominique Bouchard, casting director for the popular reality TV show, now in its third season.She stresses that the show’s title is misleading, and it is a family program where fly-on-the-wall cameramen document two moms from two different families who exchange lives (but not bedrooms). It’s a chance for a mom to experience what it’s like to live a different lifestyle and see what she can teach about her own.”The name of the show is ‘Wife Swap,’ but it really should be called ‘Life Swap,'” Bouchard said. The entire family gets involved, and it is a chance to compare values and learn, she said.Do you love the finer things in life? Shopping, fine dining and the spa? Have you had plastic surgery? A personal trainer or chef that comes to your house? You might qualify.The show’s producers are in Aspen to look for a wealthy “ying” to a more humble “yang” in another part of the country. In particular, they are looking for two parents with children between the age of 5 and 18 living a “luxurious” lifestyle in Aspen. “It could be someone who has a vacation home or lives in Aspen for part of the year,” Bouchard said. “But definitely someone who’s living a luxurious lifestyle.”Bouchard wants to find an energetic family that is into fitness, takes pride in appearance and enjoys the finer things, like skiing and snowboarding.With more than 50 shows in more than three seasons, Bouchard said they have a great track record and haven’t encountered any major problems. After one episode, a family went on the pop psyche discussion program, Dr. Keith Ablow Show, to discuss the positive experience and what they learned.Their most popular show was an exchange between a successful California boutique owner and a Midwestern farming family. The show proved both families had something to teach each other, and Bouchard hopes she can find a similar contrast in Aspen.”We look for families that are secure in their philosophy of life,” Bouchard said. Bouchard stressed that families featured on the show make their own decisions and nothing is staged.”One of the misconceptions is that they think that because it is reality TV we are making the decisions for them,” Bouchard said. She assured that all show participants simply live their lives and nothing can happen on the show without family consent.There is a financial honorarium for families that participate; Bouchard would not specify the amount, but said that any family interested in participating may find out by contacting her. There is also a referral fee for anyone who recommends a qualified family, she said.”We need them to be up for an adventure,” Bouchard said. “The sooner they respond the better.”Bouchard asks interested families to contact her at (212) 404-1427 or by e-mail at Dominique.Bouchard@rdfusa.com.Charles Agar’s e-mail address is cagar@aspentimes.comThe Aspen Times, Aspen, Colo.

News


See more