Frauentausch (German TV series)

Did anyone else see last night's episode of Frauentausch? I don't normally watch it ... but last night's episode was something else.

The house into which the woman pictured in the above link had to move was so filthy that she was unable to sleep there for more than one night: it was apparently stinking of urine and clearly covered in grime, with two grime-covered children of around 6 or 7 whose upper teeth had already rotted away. Another child had been put in care. The parents were unemployed, with no apparent interest in finding work and, although not apparently mentally handicapped, really seemed to have barely a couple of brain cells to rub together (e.g. the 35-year-old mother was shown attempting to bring a pot of potatoes to the boil but was unable to understand that she'd need to turn up the temperature and put the lid on for this to happen). The woman shown in the link, who actually worked with disabled people herself, was clearly disturbed by the experience and at the fate of the two kids. Rather than making a TV programme about the family, you'd think that they should have been given some kind of assistance by social services.

Is this show for real, or possibly somewhat fake? (I mean, don't they tell the participants to exaggerate so as to make the show more interesting...?)

What, like "can you please act like more of a spacker than you actually are"?

Don't know, but possibly they throw in some extra money to encourage them to give their worst...?

Sounds like a good deal if you're short of money:


(Source: Wikipedia)

Schavs?

Maybe sometimes they do, but last night's episode seemed genuine. The family that looked as if they were a case for social services were clearly very badly off, financially and brain-cell-wise. The house was obviously filthy, the two young kids were clearly neglected (the rotten teeth were enough to show that) and the couple looked as if the lights were on but no-one was at home. As for throwing in money, I wouldn't be surprised. No-one with an ounce of sense would have let a camera through the door.

Well it would certainly be a refreshing change to find out that all these people are being paid to act like plebs and are in reality bright, well-adjusted, upstanding citizens what?

I was phoned and asked if we might want to take part in the international frauentaush. The kids were too young and you don't make a lot out of it. Now I've separated from the wife I might just give them a ring back and see if they might be able to sort me out a more permanent exchange... Be careful for what you wish, I know.