'Seven Year Switch' spoilers: couples take a trip together; critics say show encourages infidelity

(tvruckus.com)

Just when viewers heaved a collective sigh of relief that "Married at First Sight" is finally off the air, FYI comes up with another "social experiment" type of show.

The network started airing "Seven Year Switch" earlier this month in the slot that was once reserved for "Married at First Sight." The show, which is a play on the expression "seven year itch," bills itself as being in the business of saving marriages by allowing long-term couples, whose relationships are at a crossroads, to attempt to rekindle their love by switching partners with another couple and living with the switch for several weeks.

The first episode introduced the various couples participating in this social experiment and they in turn shared with the audience their story and problems. The "newlyweds" then moved to their new quarters in the second episode. This is where the show's catch was introduced — the new homes only had one bed each.

The show's "relationship experts" revealed that it was to create tension among the new couples and see how they would deal with it (and if they were ok with the idea of their erstwhile partners sleeping next to another person).

The recently released third episode had the couples going on a trip together as well as getting a visit from "Seven Year Switch's" resident therapists Dr. Dan Shapiro and Dr. Jessica Griffin. The episode was particularly telling as some of the couples were able to bond while others came to a realization regarding their real partners.

FYI has received a lot of backlash even before "Seven Year Switch" was aired. People slammed the network on social media for embarking on another reality show that they say encourages infidelity and which was in essence a simple wife swap disguised as an experiment. Some groups, like One Million Moms and the Parents Television Council have been calling for the show to be cancelled.

However, it seems the network is still pushing forward with the "Seven Year Switch" and will continue to air it every Tuesday at 9 p.m. (EST) on FYI.

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