‘Celebrity Wife Swap’ to Feature Alan Thicke and Gilbert Gottfried

The wives of actor Alan Thicke and comedian Gilbert Gottfried trade homes for one week, on “Celebrity Wife Swap,” on Tuesday, March 12 at 8:00 pm ET on the ABC Television Network.

In “Celebrity Wife Swap,” two mothers of celebrity families, each with opposing values, trade households, lifestyles and children (but not bedrooms) in a week-long challenge. In the first part of the exchange, each mom moves into the other’s home and agrees to follow a manual of “household rules” written by the departing mother, including how to parent, manage their social life, do house work, unwind and more. Everything changes in the second half of the week, when “new mommy” takes charge, introduces her own set of rules and runs the “nest” her way. At the end of the week the two couples meet for the first time. In a raw, honest and highly-charged exchange of views, the couples will make frank assessments of each other and discuss their experiences, having had a very real taste of what life would be like in someone else’s family.

Alan Thicke is probably best known to television viewers as Dr. Jason Seaver, a role he played on the family sitcom “Growing Pains.” He and his wife, Tanya, live on a sprawling ranch in Santa Barbara, CA with Alan’s 15-year-old son, Carter, where they enjoy the finer things in life. Tanya loves to throw lavish dinner parties with the help of a large staff that tends to all of the household needs. Gilbert Gottfried lives in New York City with his wife, Dara, and their two children, Lilly (5) and Max (3). When Gilbert isn’t doing stand-up comedy or voice over work, he’s a notorious penny-pincher who likes to save money by shopping at .99 cent stores. He also walks all around the city, not wanting to waste money on cab, subway or bus fare. Dara is accustomed to Gilbert’s frugal ways and believes you don’t need to spend a lot of money on those you love just to show you care.

Upon arriving in New York City, Tanya realizes that her bedroom in Santa Barbara is as large as Gilbert’s entire apartment. When Gilbert gets home with his two children, he welcomes her with his unique style of comedy, continually impersonating and making fun of her husband, Alan. What’s more, it’s a definite shock for Tanya to experience Gilbert’s economical ways: things come to a head when Gilbert treats Tanya to an “anniversary night out” – she’s standing in for Dara as the couple celebrate their wedding anniversary — and the evening isn’t at all what Tanya might have expected.

In Santa Barbara, Dara is treated to a warm welcome by Alan and Carter and can’t believe the size of their ranch. She’s soon given her first assignment of the swap, to cook a surf & turf dinner for the family. Admitting she’s no chef, Dara gives it her best shot, and at the end of a long first day joins Alan in the Jacuzzi for champagne. Stepping into Tanya’s shoes again, Dara throws an elegant dinner party for Alan’s friends in which she has to oversee all aspects of the dinner – from place cards and menu to decor and dishes. It’s a new experience for Dara, one that definitely takes her out of her comfort zone.

“Celebrity Wife Swap” is produced by Zodiak USA. Natalka Znak, Claire O’Donohoe and Bruce Toms serve as executive producers. The series is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HD format, with 5.1-channel sound. This program carries a TV-14,D parental guideline.