The main analysis refers to the introduction of the two families: 1.20-4.20
I watched this episode on 40D via Youtube and now has come off due to its 30 day viewing time, but the family names are the Escotts Vs Ahmeds
The narrative structure is simple and ends very much like a fictional show; there is mostly a happy ending. The linear narrative show allows the audience to journey along side the family; the voyeuristic element allows intimacy with their lives. The show starts off with the equilibrium of two families living their lives. The disequilibrium is the swap itself, the disruption of a new wife with very different values and life style which then leads onto the rule changes, disrupting the family lives even more. The show ends with a “show down” where the two families attempt to resolve any issues. The ending usually shows the two families with a happier ending and provides the audience with denouement. This repetative structure of the show relfects how society lives in the fictional world with films and dramas, which reinforces the idea of hyperreality: "The simulation of something which never really existed" (Baulldrid) and the inability to distinguish reality and fantasy.
One of the narrative techniques that makes the show unique is the strong binary oppositions of the two families which connotes and foreshadows conflict. The binary oppositions come from the contrasting representations of the families and their ethinicities. The first family introduced is an asian family called the Ahmeds. In terms of Structuralism, shots of the mosque, clothing and close ups of cultural food all signify how the institution has chosen to highlight their strong religious and cultural background. This distances and alienates the family from some audiences as they may not recognise the things they've seen. In particular the use of non-digetic music reinforces their culture and is unrecognisable to the audience. This contrasts with the British family where the non-digetic music is a well known allowing British and majority of other audiences to identify with this family. This all suggests that not only are opposite families are selected to create contrast and conflict, but that the institution mediated the swap process to make one family favoured by the audience; in this case it is the Escotts. This is because the Escotts reflect the diverse nature of families in Britiain with a lesbian daughter, bredwinner mother and a step father. The Ahmeds may have been poorly represented as the text allowes space for post-9/11 attituedes towards them from the audience, and does little to challenge and accuratly represent their religion and culture.
Though there are little educational elements of the show, its aesthetics adopts the conventions of documentary. Wife Swap is a fly on the wall documentary with entertainment and self improvement values which sometimes classes it as reality TV. Fly on the wall documentaries such as An American Family (Gilbert, 1972) show the origins of shows surrounding the voyerism of family life. Wife Swap uses conventions such as the humorous voice over, interviews with the family member characters and sound bridging all add to the feel of a documentary. The most noticable convention is the hand held camera providing voyeristic elements to the show. This is one of the elements that make reality TV so popular as it highlights societies love of viewing and prying in others lives in our "open society"
Wife Swap’s entertaining nature strongly reflects the ideologies of its broadcaster, Channel 4. Channel 4 is a commercial channel which means unlike a Public Service Broadcaster, it's sole intention is to make lots of money which mean providing programmes that audiences want to watch. In the current tv landscape it seems that reality tv and its entertainment is what audiences want and therefore many of the shows Channel 4 broadcast such as "Alan Carr: Chatty Man" or "The Simpsons" reflect its strong entertainment values and at times this entertainment can be of adult content suggesting why Wife Swap is aired after watershed. Channel 4 also has aims of reflecting a multicultural society and this shows why it would air this programme and in particular this episode of the show, highlighting its positive and liberal ideologies. As money is important to this institution, a show such as Wife Swap with a cheap production cost, real people, no scripts or expensive settings would attract such a broadcaster.
Like other reality TV shows, Wife Swap has a larger audience compared to other genres, which makes the show very popular. Wife Swap is targeted at 16-45 year olds with a wider audience of 14-60 year olds. Interestingly the show has the capability to appeal to all of the 4C’s as the show represents theses people through their lifestyle and values which audiences can identify with and support. For example the Ahmed’s are a resigned family as they stick to historical and cultural traditions, while the Escotts are Reformers, independent with their individual values. Not only does it appeal to a wide range of 4Cs but a wide range of ethnicities as they want to see how they are represented in the show. The show is targeted at a family audience due to its house hold setting and family orientated characters. The show provides narrative pleasure such as the happy endings, suspense of how the wives and families will interact and there are always strong expectations for conflict as this is the main source of entertainment. In terms of the uses and gratifications theory, escapism allows audiences to voyeuristically interact with another home and family life, see how they live in the comfort of their own home. With this comes the entertainment, seeing how the wife’s and new families struggle to get on with each other or settling into the new rules. The ways in which families respond to the Wife Swapping situation allows audiences to identify with the families as well as identifying their own faults and possible improvements in their own lives: this becomes the information and learning element of the uses and gratifications theory.
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