This Mom Got Wife Swapped

Rural New Jersey isn't that far from New York City, but for Wife Swap mom Lynn Bradley, they're worlds apart. On tonight's episode of the new reality series (10 pm/ET on ABC), the Garden State homemaker switches places with a Manhattan mother who lives in an empire state of opulence, complete with three nannies and a housekeeper. Here, Bradley tells TV Guide Online how she went from wood-chopping to shoe-shopping, as she adapted the not-so-simple life of a socialite.

TV Guide Online: How does it feel to be the wife who's depicted in a more positive light? You come across much better than your counterpart, Jodi Spolansky.
Lynn Bradley: Oh yeah? I'm surprised. I don't really look at it that way. I thought I came across as a wimp because I couldn't stand up to [Steven, Jodi's husband]. He belittles you too quickly. You just want to crawl into a corner.

TVGO: How was it when the cameras were off? Was he more sociable toward you?
Bradley: Actually, when the cameras weren't there, neither was he. So it worked out nice.

TVGO: What were you doing when they weren't filming? Did you have free time?
Bradley: Yeah, I had free time, but I also played with the kids and helped out with the cleaning.

TVGO: The kids were really entrusted to you for two full weeks?
Bradley: Yeah.

TVGO: So you couldn't just say, "I'm going to a movie tonight" and leave them alone?
Bradley: Until I fired the nannies, the nannies were there. But when I was playing Jodi's role, she's never home, so I was never home. I was always out shopping or going to the gym or the salon. I forgot she had kids. I felt bad.

TVGO: Overall, how do you feel after seeing the finished product?
Bradley: I liked the way they portrayed us — very accurately. It was a great experience, and I think that if anybody had a chance to do it, they should. You really learn a lot from it about yourself and about your family. I walked away with a new pair of shoes and my pride. [Laughs]