A FAMILY WHO BELIEVE THE POWER OF MANIFESTING POSITIVE THINKING
WILL HELP ANYONE ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS SWAP WITH AN UNEMPLOYED
FAMILY HIT HARD BY THE ECONOMY, ON ABC'S "WIFE SWAP"
"Beauvais/Clayton" - A successful family of inventors and entrepreneurs living their dreams swap with a family who, despite becoming unemployed, maintain a cheerful outlook while struggling to live in a trailer park on a low income, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.
The Beauvais family of Arizona are living their dream. Dina says that, through the power of positive thinking, she �manifested' her husband, Mark, her beautiful home and two children, Lauren (8) and Luke (6). She and Mark are go-getters and inventors. Dina believes so much in the power of positive thought that she developed a system to show others how to manifest their dreams. The family practice daily affirmations and positive sayings like "be my best me" to encourage the kids to be successful. The Beauvais also believe healthy eating and exercise are vital for a happy family. To them, dreaming and believing are all you need to create a better life, whether you're rich or poor.
The Claytons' dreams went up in smoke when the local RV factory closed down. Their town is now considered one of the most economically depressed of the country. Dad Steve was laid off, but wife Sherrie says that, as long as they have clothes on their backs and a roof over their heads, they're happy. Sherrie, Steve and their two sons, Robert (13) and Kennedy (11), live in an 800-square foot trailer in a mobile home park. Sherrie says her biggest dream is living in a three-bedroom trailer, instead of their two-bedroom one. She stretches a dollar by making her own laundry detergent and using vinegar as fabric softener, and says the family can't afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Without money to spend, the family eat at a local soup kitchen, use a file cabinet for a dresser, and entertain themselves by fishing off a bridge. However the Claytons always maintain that they are poor but happy, because they have each other.
In the first week, Dina arrives at the Clayton trailer and is immediately sympathetic to the family's situation, but worries that they have given up on their dreams. She takes a tour of the town with Steve and eats at a soup kitchen, as Steve explains how tough things are for the area. But Dina is convinced that Steve can change his life with a little positivity, a new attitude and believing in his dreams. She also becomes concerned for the family's health and well-being because of their diet. Back in Arizona at the Beauvais home, Mark is immediately wary of Sherrie because of her appearance, while she accuses Mark of using their dream program to exploit people during tough economic times.
In the second week of the swap, when the wives change the rules and turn the tables, Dina is set on revamping the Claytons into success-minded individuals, and makes Steve and the boys write down positive affirmations and set goals for themselves. Dina holds one of her dream seminars at the local soup kitchen and, as she plugs her program, an outraged Steve storms out. At the Beauvais home, Sherrie struggles to make Mark understand what it's like to be poor and takes the family to a soup kitchen, but they clash over every rule. The swap heads towards one of the most dramatic table meetings ever, as Dina accuses Sherrie of being fat and lazy and Sherrie answers that Dina is a thief.
After two weeks in another home, can Dina Beauvais convince the Claytons to become positive thinkers who just need to believe in order to achieve their dreams? And can Sherrie Clayton show the Beauvais family that money and material possessions are not the key to a happy life?
"Wife Swap" is an RDF USA production. It was created by Stephen Lambert and is executive-produced by Mike Gamson and Michael Davies of Embassy Row ("Who Wants to be a Millionaire"). Stephen Pettinger, Neil Regan, Julie Cooper and Will Nothacker are co-executive producers. This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.
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