Wife Swap USA, Sunday 4.50pm, Channel 4

By Alan Tyers

Our rating:
God knows how they keep finding these people, but it sure makes for fun TV.

A new series kicks off with the Haggerty family of Florida. Mum Lisa holds down two jobs, while hubby Julice seems far too nice to be working nights as a corrections officer. He shoulders most of the cooking and caring for the three kids. They don't spend much time as a family, and Lisa's a bit of a control freak, but they're basically normal.

Not an accusation that could be levelled at their counterparts, the Stamper family from Ohio.

Dad Greg and mum Stephanie are nuts about the Middle Ages. What began as harmless dabbling in historical re-enactment has spiralled out of control. They dress in robes, wake the kids up with a harp, eat medieval food from wooden plates and avoid going out into the scary modern world as much as they can.

Factor in the home schooling for the children and the family role playing games – 'cos who needs friends, right? – and you've got genuine A-grade loopers.

Julice can scarcely believe his eyes when new "wife" Stephanie makes him dress up "like some sort of playing card". But he does perk up when she tells him that, under her medieval value system, he is "the King of her world" and is to be waited on hand and foot.

Meanwhile, Lisa is laying down the law, 21st century style to the Stampers, who don't know what's hit them.

As is of course the rule of these shows, Lessons Are Learnt and New Perspectives Are Gained, but let's leave the last word to Julice on life with the terrifying Stephanie. "I keep a smile on my face, but inside, it’s a horrible experience".