Urge Sears To No Longer Sponsor Wife Swapping Show

July 10, 2015

After A&E's reality series "Neighbors With Benefits" failed, the network is now attempting to revive the crazy idea that viewers want to see infidelity by trying a two-week spouse switch for wedded couples. Will audiences want to watch adultery? Not likely. FYI (owned by A&E) has begun airing the "Seven Year Switch," an eight-episode series in which married couples put their marriage on the line by shacking up with a "new partner" for a couple weeks. The premiere for this disgusting program aired July 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT.

FYI assumes that seven years of marriage marks the point at which couples become "restless and dissatisfied." In the series, four couples "at a crossroads in their relationship" get the chance to shack up with a stranger for two weeks in an "experimental marriage."

They will eat, live and, yes, "sleep" with these total strangers. The experimental homes have only one bedroom and one bed since they are to live as husband and wife.

At the end of what the network explains is a switch therapy experiment, each of the married couples will reunite and decide whether to go their separate ways or stay together forever.

Gena McCarthy, Senior Vice President of Programming and Development at FYI, described the show as an experiment to determine whether absence really does make the heart grow fonder, sidestepping the whole sleeping with a stranger element.

This immoral show belittles and makes a mockery of marriage.

Take Action

Please use the information we have provided to contact Sears and ask that they pull their financial support from "Seven Year Switch."

Send Email

Send To: [email protected] Subject: Please pull your support from disgusting new program Seven Year Switch

As a parent and a member of OneMillionMoms.com, I am disappointed to learn that Sears was a sponsor of Tuesday night's debut of FYI's "Seven Year Switch." This program is another attempt to distort relationships. This disgusting show also belittles and makes a mockery of marriage.

This new program is the worst kind of reality show imaginable. It is heartbreaking to watch marriages fall apart while the network makes a profit off the experiment. The jealousy, remorse, and regret of cast members is obvious. The show is harmful to those involved and to society and attempts to normalize infidelity. Why get married if you do not plan on being faithful?

Programs like this only exist because sponsors like Sears are willing to underwrite them with advertising dollars. I am urging you to please add "Seven Year Switch" to your "do not advertise" list.

You have abundant choices when deciding where to spend your marketing budget. By aligning with this show, you are associating Sears' reputation, public image, and corporate values with "Seven Year Switch." I also have choices when deciding where to spend my hard-earned dollars. As long as Sears is sponsoring "Seven Year Switch," I cannot, in good conscience, spend my money with Sears. I hope you will reconsider your support for this program.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding my concern.