CBC Series: A week without women

Consider the old question, what if women ruled the world?

Then consider the notion, what would happen if women left the world?

It's a social experiment that examines gender roles in the most provocative of ways: Take all the women out of a small town and leave the men to fend for themselves and watch what ensues.

Tomorrow night, Canadians will watch what happens The Week the Women Went in a documentary shot from Hardisty, Alta., population 760.

INTRODUCING MR. MOM

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The eight-part series airing on CBC opens with an impressive shot of the town's 117 mothers, wives and care-givers marching down the main street, lugging their suitcases behind them as they leave their husbands and boyfriends to take care of the kids and -- fingers crossed -- keep the home intact.

While the women were sent to enjoy seven days of spa treatments at the neighbouring resort town of Canmore, the town's menfolk were left to take care of their multiple gaggles of children -- offspring in Hardisty seem to come in packages of two to three.

Throughout the experiment, marriages are strengthened and tested, and previously estranged relationships between fathers and their children are reconnected, said series producer Sally Aitken.

"It was a great experience," added Kevin Metz, a father of three boys ages 7, 9 and 13. For eight years, Metz lived and worked in Fort McMurray commuting to Hardisty every 10 days.

"The show brought the boys and I closer together and I'm definitely way more appreciative of having (wife) Noreen around. I took a lot for granted before."

Expect a predictable string of comedic Mr. Mom moments, where hardened oil-rig workers organize daddy daycares, are foiled by the complex assembly of fajitas, and approach parenting in unconventional ways.

"Men relied on each other a lot," Aitken said. "That was a surprise."

It's not a question of whether the men can be homemakers, she points out, but how they do things differently.

'MALE INGENUITY'

"For example, it was hot outside, the kids were dirty. So a bunch of guys got together, put the kids on a trampoline, and hosed them down. It's a brilliant example of male ingenuity," she laughed.

After four months of location scouting, Hardisty was chosen to reflect Canada through its "diverse and charismatic residents."

And while some women embraced the chance to be pampered, others left with a heavy heart, Aitken said.

"One woman said 'I have two big fears. The first is, I leave and the world will fall off its axis. The second is I leave, and it won't.' "

For Kevin and Noreen, the experience brought mutual respect into the marriage.

"I have a much deeper appreciation of Kevin and how capable he is as a provider," Noreen said. "I didn't give him enough credit. I didn't step back enough and let him parent. As moms we feel like we have to be supermoms and in the lead all the time. But when I came back and watched him I realized he was so great."

The documentary is based on the original BBC version of the same name which aired in 2005 from a small town coincidentally named Harby. But the British version divided the community even before cameras started rolling. Emergency town meetings were called and some accused each other of lusting after the limelight while others feared the show would make the town a laughing stock.

ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE

But the Metz family raved about their experience, saying the show brought the community closer together, forging deeper friendships.

"As parents we all make mistakes," Noreen said. "But all our parenting mistakes are on (camera). People will relate to that because it's real."