A Police Detective and Surrendered Wife Trade Places on the Next "Wife Swap"  6/5/05

A PAMPERED DETECTIVE MOM SWAPS PLACES WITH A STAY-AT-HOME, "SURRENDERED" WIFE WHO CATERS TO HER HUSBAND'S EVERY NEED, ON ABC'S "WIFE SWAP"

This week in "Lawson/Fuentes," a pampered, sexy, female police detective - a firm believer that anything a man can do, a woman can do just as well - swaps places with an obedient, stay-at-home wife and mother who believes her only role in life is to fulfill her husband's every command and to take care of her family, on "Wife Swap" - the acclaimed, unscripted reality show that takes us into the intimate heart of the American family home to reveal the extraordinarily different ways families live their lives -- MONDAY, JUNE 5 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 12/12/05)

Editors note: This episode replaces "Mayfield/Wasdin" which had been scheduled for this time.

Each week from across the country, two families with very different values are chosen to take part in a two-week challenge. The wives from these two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover what it's like to live another mother's very different life. It's a mind-blowing experiment that often changes lives forever.

Lillian Fuentes, 36, is a career police detective who loves competing and excelling in "a man's world." She and her fianci, Bill (46), and sons Gavin (11) and Dylan (6), live in a large, posh Southern California home. Lillian expects Bill to treat her like a princess. Despite the fact that she receives ultimate satisfaction from putting dangerous criminals behind bars, she is still 100% woman and finds time to pamper herself with daily fitness routines and weekly spa treatments. Although she has a positive relationship with her sons, giving them rules to follow and encouraging them to be open with her about anything, Lillian spends little time at home; she leaves most of the housework and childcare to Margarita, Bill's mother, who lives with them. Lillian works hard, plays hard and enjoys living what she refers to as "the sweet life."

Lillian travels to the Maryland home of Dawn (35) and Demetrius (36) Lawson, a couple who follow a philosophy called "Fascinating Womanhood," which dictates that a woman's place is in the home and that her role is to submit to her husband and serve his every need. Each night, when Demetrius -- a computer consultant and the sole provider in the household - returns from work, his wife is all prettied up for his homecoming and ready to take his coat and shoes. Dawn is also a devoted mother to the couple's three sons, Calvin (18), Jamar (8) and Cameron (4). She believes she should do the "feminine" jobs around the house, including all the childcare, cooking and housework. She and Demetrius are strict parents whose children cannot watch any television or movies without prior parental approval.

In the first week of the swap, Dawn is introduced to the rigors of the Police Academy and finds out what it's like to be doted on by a man, rather than the other way around. Meanwhile, Lillian doesn't find "Fascinating Womanhood" all that fascinating when she's stuck with housecleaning, childcare and waiting on a man hand and foot.

In week two of the swap, the tables are turned when the wives change the rules and Dawn introduces Bill to a life of being catered to, while Lillian puts Demetrius to work in the kitchen. At the end of the swap, when the couples are re-united, will they find common ground, or are their differences too great to overcome?

"Wife Swap" is an RDF Media production. It was created by Stephen Lambert and is executive-produced by Lambert and Jenny Crowther of RDF Media ("Faking It" and "Junkyard Wars") and Michael Davies of Embassy Row ("Who Wants to be a Millionaire"). Wendy Roth is the co-executive producer.

"Wife Swap" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

Source: ABC Press Release