CBS Gets Naughty with Swingtown
Despite the musical sounding title of this new series, “Swingtown” is actually a very radical new series particularly for CBS. Take a look:
SWINGTOWN, a new drama series which peeks into the shag-carpeted suburban homes of the culturally transformative ’70s to find couples reveling in the sexual and social revolution that introduced women’s liberation and challenged conventional wisdom. During this heady era of provocative change, Susan and Bruce Miller (Molly Parker and Jack Davenport, both center) move their family to a home in an affluent Chicago suburb situated across the street from the particularly friendly Tom and Trina Decker (Grant Show and Lana Parrilla). The Millers are soon confronted with personal choices, experimentation and shifting attitudes, all against the backdrop of a changing social climate defined by its unforgettable music, fashion and style.
Many years ago there was a musical on Broadway called “I Love My Wife” and it was a lighthearted look at this same subject. It’s a very interesting era and certainly one that hasn’t been well covered on TV. The question is will CBS’s audience, which is traditionally older and not very liberal, be able to handle a show that is all about sexual freedom in the 70’s.
The series premieres Thursday, June 5 and will run new episodes through the summer.
Photos: Cliff Lipson/CBS ©2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
7 opinions for CBS Gets Naughty with Swingtown
Couple
May 1, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Interesting for CBS. We wonder if some network will do a current version of Swingtown?
Dale
May 15, 2008 at 6:39 am
I love the idea and I think the show will bring a reality to a lifestyle that still goes on behond the scenes in america today. Its about time that someone had the balls to pilot a series that will no doubt bring some controversy amoung the general population of this great country. Good job CBS..We’ll be watching for sure!
Beth
May 28, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I was a newlywed in the 70’s. Not all of us were involved in the lifestyle this program portrays and I am insulted by the suggestion that it somehow represents all of us. I am a member of the older, traditional audience to which you refer and do not intend to watch it. This is the kind of program I would expect to be on late at night on HBO or another cable channel, not prime time on a network.
Will you watch Swingtown?
Jun 1, 2008 at 9:57 pm
[…] up on Thursday, June 5 is the CBS’s provocative new summer series Swingtown — that looks the social and sexual revolution of the 1970s through the eyes of Susan and Bruce […]
Chris
Jun 4, 2008 at 11:42 am
No - will not watch - just more trash - why parade our shame? I have not watch prime time anything for years now - this show is an example why - Why not shows that present morals - right living? - At the end of an Andy Griffith or Gun Smoke - you are left with a good feeling - not one of guilt and shame -
Jackie R
Jun 6, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I see nothing wrong with a show like this on at 10 pm–even on local channels. When I grew up (in the 70s), children were in bed by this time and if people are concerned with this being on a local channel rather than cable because maybe a kid can see it then I have three things to say:
1-your kids should be in bed by 10 pm anyway
2-it is just as easy for a kid to pick up the remote and type in the channel number for HBO
3-maybe if you stop letting television babysit your kids and actually spend time with them then you would be able to keep them from watching shows that you do not approve of
As a child of the 70s I have been looking forward to the Swingtown pilot. I was pleasantly surprised last night. What was on the show was nothing worse than the story lines that I have seen on soap operas (which play in the middle of the afternoon on local TV). What was even better was the nostalgia that I relived through seeing the 70s fashions and hearing the 70s music during this show. I hope that Swingtown becomes a hit and I look forward to many more episodes.
Belinda B
Oct 31, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Chris, if you have guilt and shame it results in the choices you made. We all have choices in life. We all make mistakes which is human. Be kinder to yourself. No one should impose their values on anyone else. I had fun. The music, the fashions the clubs, get out and live a little! Jackie R. you are right on! Good for you Dale! I agree with you. Beth, don’t be sooo serious. Life is too short as you are probably finding out since most of us 70’s kids are in our 50’s and 60’s now. The show is just a generalization of what happened then. Didn’t you burn your bra?
Health, wealth and happiness to all! “Don’t ever lose the little kid in you” Belinda
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