Perhaps I am just more sensitive to these situations because of my work in a family counseling agency and taking a family therapy and systems class this semester, but the premier of the new season of the TLC show Trading Spaces really bothered me this past Saturday evening.
The new season of Trading Spacing is advertising not just neighbors revamping a room in each others' home, but "emotional makeovers." The show this past Saturday was with a divorced couple where the ex-husband is living alone and the ex-wife is remarried. The ex-partners also have a young son that now (I think) has shared custody between his parents. Into this relationship springs the host, 2 designers, and two carpenters followed by a large camera crew and an even larger TV viewing audience. They swap bedrooms for 48 hours for a marvelous makeover.
I think the show is really pushing the boundaries. Similar to my disgust with Dr. Phil, Trading Spaces seems to highlight the negative aspects of the relationship. It appeared, at least to me, that in the beginning of the show it was demonstrated how there was some possible pathology involved in this blended family including mistrust, hostility, and hurt. By the end of the show, the perception was that by changing the rooms, doing a "therapeutic" art project, and having a room reveal that things were all for the better.
Don't get me wrong, I believe that an experience like that can be cathartic and helpful. And at the same time, I didn't appreciate how the home makeover experience is portrayed as a great replacement for therapy, as if when the cameras leave and the paint dries, everything will be perfect.
The other main issue is the fact that people problems and pain is valuable "entertainment." I find it difficult to see people watch shows with people being injured physically or emotionally and finding humor and enterainment in that situation.
What do you think of the "new" Trading Spaces format?
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