(Lest you think Fox is trying to move away from ripping off ABC's forthcoming "Wife Swap," that network has already announced its plans for "Husband Swap" and "Family Swap," which Fox will no doubt rip off as well.)

Obviously, I can' tell you in detail what Fox's two new shows will look like. We did get a tape of the two-hour "Trading Spouses" that airs Tuesday, and it fits the Fox "reality" mold.

It's mean-spirited. It holds its participants up to ridicule. It shows people in the worst possible light.

Not that that's anything new.

Obviously, none of these people were forced to appear on "Spouses." Or "The Simple Life." Or "American Idol." Or "Forever Eden." Or "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance." Or "Joe Millionaire." Or "Temptation Island." Or "The Casino." Or "The Littlest Groom." Or "Love Cruise." Or "Married by America." Or "Mr. Personality." Or "Paradise Hotel." Or "Playing It Straight." Or "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire."

And, obviously, there are more than enough people out there who are so desperate to be on TV that they're willing to allow themselves to be held up to ridicule.

But that doesn't change the fact that Fox's reality shows tend to range from mean to downright vicious. And the network is presenting shows that take "average people" and hold them up to laughter and scorn.

It may make money, but it's not a business I'd want to be in. I don't think I could ever feel like I completely washed the stench off myself after putting that stuff on the air.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com