--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US networks in Wife Swap contest
Wife Swap: ABC has ordered 20 episodes from RDF Media
America just can't seem to get enough of the Wife Swap concept, with ABC ordering two spin-offs - Boss Swap and Husband Swap - and rival network Fox launching a spoiler before the US version of the original show has even been broadcast.
ABC has already ordered 20 episodes of Wife Swap from RDF Media, the UK independent producer behind the hit Channel 4 reality show, and has now added pilots for Boss Swap and Husband Swap to its shopping list.
But Fox is hoping to get its own fish-out-of-water reality show, Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy, on the air first.
The RDF director of programmes, Stephen Lambert, insisted he and ABC were taking the competition from Fox in their stride.
"Imitation is the highest form of flattery. We're all reviewing the best way to respond," Mr Lambert told Variety.
He said RDF had already shot several episodes of Wife Swap for ABC and, if necessary, could bring the series launch forward from September to counter Fox's Trading Spouses.
"I'm delighted ABC had so much confidence in the franchise that they're willing to commit to two more, even before Wife Swap makes it to air," Mr Lambert added.
He said he thought Boss Swap would go down particularly well in the US, given the country's business-oriented outlook.
"I think the show will work better in the US than in the UK. This is more of an entrepreneurial culture." Mr Lambert added.
mediaguardian