Wife Swap

Mondays, 8 p.m.

Reality TV tends to put the most vain, vacuous members of our society in situations that bring out the worst in them. A show called Wife Swap wouldn’t seem likely to buck that trend. But give it a watch. If you get past the introductions, where two families have their quirks displayed, you’ll find a positive, life-affirming show. The adage about walking a mile in another man’s shoes applies as mismatched matriarchs trade households. For example, a traditional Christian family swaps with a pagan coven. Each woman spends one week living by her new household’s rules and the next week imposing her own. Every time, the folks you considered repulsive at first find a way to shine as they confront their prejudices—and yours. Great campy drama and a redeeming message? It’s the best of both worlds.