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Eddie Murphy’s beloved 1983 comedy Trading Places has inspired a bold new reality series, as Channel 5 prepares to launch a modern-day TV experiment with a nostalgic nod to the Eighties.
The new show, also titled Trading Places, will see two people from vastly different walks of life switch homes, jobs, hobbies, and even social circles, as they attempt to navigate each other’s very different worlds.
Imagine a city banker thrown onto a muddy farm, a prima ballerina tackling an oil rig, or a lorry driver giving classical violin a try. That’s exactly what producers hope will captivate audiences when the series airs later this year.
Much like the film that inspired it, where Eddie Murphy’s street-smart Billy Ray Valentine trades lives with Dan Aykroyd’s privileged stockbroker Louis Winthorpe III, the show shines a light on class, culture, and how we adapt to the unknown.
An insider close to the production revealed:
“While this clearly has echoes of the 1983 movie, it also has a retro feel for another reason. There are shades of classic shows like Wife Swap or Faking It, but this takes the idea to the next level, because there’s also an unspoken competition: which participant can shine brightest in the other’s world?”
Trading Places - Credit: IMDb
The contestants won’t even know what their opposite number does for a living before the cameras start rolling, adding a surprise element to the already daunting challenge.
As part of the experience, they’ll move into each other’s homes, adopt their hobbies, meet their friends, and even adjust to their sleep routines. Producers say it’s not just about adapting, but about thriving in completely foreign territory.
With many nostalgic formats making comebacks, Channel 5 is hoping Trading Places strikes a chord with viewers who grew up on the golden era of reality TV, while also appealing to younger audiences looking for something fresh.
Exact air dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, but filming is already underway.
