ABC's Wife Swap Episode #314 MEEKS/HOOVER

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Margies3

I'm curious - how did you find out about the show in the first place if you don't have broadcast tv in your home? (not finding fault. I believe in tv. just curious )

Kristin has a sister who had watched the show, and told her last year she should consider being a participant. As a professional who placed her career on hold to put her conservative family first by home schooling, she is not a typical wife.

Later on last year we were contacted by a casting agent for the show through my trade association (for chimney sweeps). Two - three days after they made personal contact, we had a camera man from New York in our home for an all day interview.

They receive 700 plus applications a week - but we did not seek to be on the show until after they contacted us.


As Kristin stated earlier today... "We have chosen as a family, not to have broadcast television" - I am not sure that is the same as not "believing in TV".

There are some good programs of course, but the one thousand channels that were brought in as a part of the rule changes were promptly removed after the show.

I continue to think it is not the greatest or wisest use of family time, especially for small children. We do monitor everything our children watch. This caution-of-TV stance is becoming quite popular in America and I believe we do ourselves a disservice to make this a "religious" or "church" issue. Much of television programing is unfit for Christians - yes - but my question is, Where do people find the four to eight hours a day to watch TV?

It is my view that the fascination of entertainment at the expense of social interaction with peers and family is detrimental - regardless of the content.


Steve Hoover

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by myhaloisintheshop

I did watch and and have seen other episodes. I have to say that THIS episode seemed to be less scripted--they weren't puppets in the producers hands in a sense.

Since reading the interview though I won't watch Wife Swap anymore (not that I did regularly) I think it is wrong to take scenes and place them where they are best fitting for drama. The name of the show--Wife Swap is just for shock value. To get you to tune in and see how far they take it

In all fairness the show is not "scripted" - meaning they don't give you lines to say. They do ask you to express your real views in your own words. When I was asked to say something they were simply asking for a condensed version of a previous statement. We did refuse to do this at times because the "qualifiers" were often essential to the statement.

What does happen, is "setting the stage" for a scene. This is done to move the show along.

There are many hours of filming prior to the actual "swap" taking place, so they know in detail how you feel and think on issues regarding most of your life and daily routine. The family you are matched with is very likely your opposite in more ways than one.

Why some scenes appear scripted, would likely be due to;

1. the participant's unwillingness to 'be themselves' on camera
2. the participant's reluctance to judge a relative stranger - even in their own home
3. the inability to capture a view or thought in a 30 sec clip

Steve Hoover

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Hmmm.....It's Kristin here, see how Steve is? He leaves the big questions for me!
I guess that I felt a little more at liberty and never thought of it in the way that you reference it as 'force it'. From the production side of it, the directors are constantly saying 'we want you to feel what it's like being in the other family.' When the tables were turned Tony was more than willing to experience what it was like being a Hoover (especially the food!). He would constantly ask, '"is this what Steve would wear? Does my hair look conservative enough? What would Steve be doing while you're doing this?" I truely felt he was open and wanting to experience our lives.
I personally did not want to home school (I liked the vacation), but little did I know the producers had another agenda and had even bought the materials ahead of time. So I continued school as I normally would.
If you have not read our interviews, please do. I think they enlighten the atmosphere in the Meeks home by the time rule change took place. (By day 3 Tony's heart was softening to God and we had in depth conversations about receiving the Holy Ghost). At times I would ask Tony, "what should I say?" and he'd reply "whatever God tells you to say!" As you can see there was much more liberty in Texas.
Also, the children have beautiful long nightly memorized prayers to Jesus. After observing this, I didn't think I was going against any of the parents wishes. They are trying hard to portray themselves as punk rockers, but there has always been little pebbles left along the way to lead them back home.
Hope this helps! Kristin

Indeed it does...all I can say is...you all were so brave! Great Job!

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Kristin has a sister who had watched the show, and told her last year she should consider being a participant. As a professional who placed her career on hold to put her conservative family first by home schooling, she is not a typical wife.

Later on last year we were contacted by a casting agent for the show through my trade association (for chimney sweeps). Two - three days after they made personal contact, we had a camera man from New York in our home for an all day interview.

They receive 700 plus applications a week - but we did not seek to be on the show until after they contacted us.


As Kristin stated earlier today... "We have chosen as a family, not to have broadcast television" - I am not sure that is the same as not "believing in TV".

There are some good programs of course, but the one thousand channels that were brought in as a part of the rule changes were promptly removed after the show.

I continue to think it is not the greatest or wisest use of family time, especially for small children. We do monitor everything our children watch. This caution-of-TV stance is becoming quite popular in America and I believe we do ourselves a disservice to make this a "religious" or "church" issue. Much of television programing is unfit for Christians - yes - but my question is, Where do people find the four to eight hours a day to watch TV?

It is my view that the fascination of entertainment at the expense of social interaction with peers and family is detrimental - regardless of the content.


Steve Hoover

Then in reality you are NOT opposed to televison since it is NOT a CHURCH issue?? Did you realize it is a church issue in the United Pentecostal Church?
The article plainly says 'we(the United Pentecostal Church) disapprove of any of our members having a television in the homes.' NO preacher that is honest can have license with the United Pentcostal Church that has a Television in their home. Just a thought.

[Subdued]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Then in reality you are NOT opposed to televison since it is NOT a CHURCH issue?? Did you realize it is a church issue in the United Pentecostal Church?
The article plainly says 'we(the United Pentecostal Church) disapprove of any of our members having a television in the homes.' NO preacher that is honest can have license with the United Pentcostal Church that has a Television in their home. Just a thought.

I thought they said that they don't have a TV in their home...?

[secretplace]

Would you recommend this method of witnessing to the lost become one that is endorsed and encouraged by the UPCI? Should more UPCI couples seek this exposure?

Perhaps appearing on wife swapping shows are the way of the future but I don't think so.

What exactly did those watching "see" that would draw the unsaved?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Then in reality you are NOT opposed to televison since it is NOT a CHURCH issue?? Did you realize it is a church issue in the United Pentecostal Church?
The article plainly says 'we(the United Pentecostal Church) disapprove of any of our members having a television in the homes.' NO preacher that is honest can have license with the United Pentcostal Church that has a Television in their home. Just a thought.

Sorry, I am not sure how to respond to this. I thought I was clear. We currently do not recieve broadcast TV, or cable/sat etc.

Also, I failed to mention earlier that I am not a "preacher".

Steve Hoover

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Then in reality you are NOT opposed to televison since it is NOT a CHURCH issue?? Did you realize it is a church issue in the United Pentecostal Church?
The article plainly says 'we(the United Pentecostal Church) disapprove of any of our members having a television in the homes.' NO preacher that is honest can have license with the United Pentcostal Church that has a Television in their home. Just a thought.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Sorry, I am not sure how to respond to this. I thought I was clear. We currently do not recieve broadcast TV, or cable/sat etc.

Also, I failed to mention earlier that I am not a "preacher".

Steve Hoover

I misunderstood you I apologize.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Hello Friends, I am Steve Hoover. My Family was recently on ABC's Wife Swap Program.

Since I know several posters here on AFF I promised to engage to answer any questions viewers of the show may still have.

We have received amazing response from all over the US from both Christians and non Christians.
I will say in advance that God has used our participation in multiple ways which we will further share on our website at http://thehooverhouse.net in coming days.

Also, the ninetyandnine.net interviews can be found on our website or here http://www.ninetyandnine.net/cover/20070212.html
and here
http://www.ninetyandnine.net/cover/20070219.html

These interviews contain many answers and behind the scenes filming activity.

Thank you for your interest.


In Jesus,
Steve Hoover

I am posting this again for the benefit of some recent posters.

Since I know several posters here on AFF I promised to engage to answer any questions viewers of the show may still have.

I am sorry there are some strong opinions by the non-viewers of the show, but that is not really what this thread is about.

Daily we are getting feedback from viewers by e-mail, phone, letters, even flowers from the local community, and face to face personal contact with hundreds in our realm of influence. 99% of the feedback is positive, and we are sharing our faith.

Two people in our assembly have stated they were compelled to come back to church because they saw the show. Both had been absent in recent weeks.

Thanks to the show, today my wife had a personal bible study (and more to come) in our home.

Also, today I had a Highway Patrolman (whom I don't know) come up to me in a restaurant and thank me for being a witness and standing strong for my faith on the show.

Also, today I had personal discussions about God with four other people - two were strangers.