NATCHEZ &045; As the minutes of Wednesday night’s &uot;Wife Swap&uot; episode ticked by Natchez’ newest celebrity’s fears were slowly calmed &045; much like the rest of the town’s.

&uot;I was pleasantly surprised,&uot; said Sue Burkhalter, the Natchez mom who traded places with a Maryland mother.

&uot;There were a few little things that were left out or exaggerated, but all in all I think it came out positive for both families.&uot;

Burkhalter, her husband Jeff and daughters, Nancy, 22, and Laura Beth, 18, filmed the episode with Maryland mom Shelley Elliot last April. In the days before the ABC show aired, Burkhalter and family expressed concerns that the editing of the show would misrepresent the family.

One of Burkhalter’s biggest fears was that the episode would focus on race instead of parenting styles. The Burkhalters are white; the Elliots are black.

In the episode Elliot had a conversation with Laura Beth about the Burkhalters’ mammy cookie jar that ended with Laura Beth shouting and saying she was sick of being called racist just because she was from Mississippi. The comment was something that has garnered sympathy and understanding from many Mississippi residents, Burkhalter said.

&uot;I cannot tell you the phone calls we’ve had,&uot; she said. &uot;From people we don’t know, from out-of-town. It’s very positive feedback. They think we represented Mississippi well.&uot;

Burkhalter said she wished the episode had mentioned her job at the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility and the hours she puts in, while being a part-time student at Alcorn State University. She also said the comments about Nancy’s education were misleading, saying her daughter is currently attending Ole Miss as a pre-med major.

&uot;It turned out way better than it could have knowing that they had that editing tool,&uot; Burkhalter said. &uot;We were the more dysfunctional family, but I think it was entertaining. We have spoiled children, for that we are guilty.&uot;

The Burkhalters watched the episode with friends and co-workers at The Castle restaurant.

Burkhalter said she was treated like a celebrity at work Thursday and was, in the end, glad she took part in the episode.