The documentary series “Red & Blue” (7 p.m., Discovery) follows families from different states with different attitudes as they swap locales and situations. The title and theme of the show are inspired by the political map of the United States reflected in the 2000 and 2004 elections.

As media pundits continually remind us, red (Republican) states are populated by god-fearing, tax-loathing, gun-toting types, while blue (Democrat) states are knee deep in latte- and merlot-swilling Volvo drivers intent on squashing smoking and other politically incorrect behaviors.

“Red & Blue” presents a family swap between the Cambres, active Christians from the farming community Clinton, La., and the Catteralls, former hippies who reside in the leafy Los Angeles suburb of Topanga. True to the show’s title, politics takes precedence. So look for much talk about the war in Iraq, President Bush and the place of religion in public life.

Like “Wife Swap,” “Red & Blue” requires a forced march through alien rituals and practices. The Cambres must attend a highway peace vigil and a New Age service. Meanwhile the Catteralls’ longhaired teenage son must enter a military boot camp while his family learns the ins and outs of the local Louisiana hunting culture.

And aren’t we all getting a little tired of color codes? The Department of Homeland Security gave theirs up; maybe the media should jettison red and blue as well. Who says that our cultures and mores are dictated by our state’s electoral votes, or that we all live in gated communities of like-minded people? According to the last election, I happen to reside in a “red” county in a “blue” state. What’s that make me, chartreuse?

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ The Subways perform at the Bait Shop on “The O.C.” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ Charity remains at home on “Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m., UPN).

¢ The two-part look into a policeman’s murder concludes on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ A song-writing contest on “The Apprentice” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Amy is kidnapped on “Reunion” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ A plane crash demands everybody’s attention on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).