Swingtown Preview: Sex (and Realism) In the '70s - TV Show Previews

Swingtown by Andrew Macpherson/CBS

Bursting with sex, drugs, sex, open collars, sex, Farrah hair and sex, the sure-to-be controversial Swingtown evokes the milieu of the Me Decade with a refreshing lack of retro camp. "We really wanted to make it feel like it was a lived-in '70s," explains executive producer Alan Poul.

In keeping with that claimed verisimilitude, couples swap partners like they're recipes, no pair more enthusiastically than Grant Show and Lana Parrilla's Tom and Trina Decker. Molly Parker and Jack Davenport join in the debauchery as their curious new friends Susan and Bruce Miller, whose previous neighbors were the straitlaced Thompsons (Josh Hopkins, Miriam Shor). "What keeps the show alive is not the titillation," Poul says. "It's about three marriages that [each] have a different set of rules. All we're trying to do is be true to the times." — G.J. Donnelly

Leave a Comment

TVGuide Links:

Posted by

TV Guide News

Jun 3, 2008 5:23 PM

Report Abuse

I dunno... CBS..? I forecast bible belt affiliates pre-empting this with The Very Best of Billy Graham; besides, 70s nostaligia is so played out.
Posted by rockphiler Jun 3, 2008 7:04 PM Report Abuse

I lived in those times. I NEVER saw anything happening like this. Maybe I was too busy being a kid and then being a wife and mom. And it won't fail because of the Bible Belt. It'll fail because the subject matter is boring. Watching this interests me about as much as having my appendix burst.
Posted by Pinkie Jun 3, 2008 9:39 PM Report Abuse

We lost Moonlight for this kind of entertainment? Gee, thanks, CBS... This is just the idea of marriage I want to send to the next generation. I really hope this one fails and fast! Careful, CBS, I know a lot of people are tuning you out at the loss of some good shows and more will now follow!!
Posted by Somebeach247 Jun 4, 2008 8:05 AM Report Abuse

Actually, as young married adults, with 2 small children, during the seventies, I can say that we never saw any of this type of behavior among our friends, and we had a wide circle of friends. If any were doing this, they kept it under wraps and we were never approached. Of course, maybe my husband and I just didn't seem suitable to anyone. Swinging did go on, but likely in small pockets around the country. But like anything controversial, it got blown out of proportion and made to seem like it was going on everywhere with rampant ferver. I feel left out now.

Posted by MOanbo

Jun 4, 2008 9:58 AM

Report Abuse

I'll give anything Jack Davenport does a try...
Posted by jb1022 Jun 4, 2008 12:11 PM Report Abuse

Get over yourself somebeach247. Just because you are mad that one of your shows got cancelled doesn't mean you should wish a show to go away that other people might like. I for one am looking forward to seing this. I think it's refreshing for CBS to try something like this rather than the usual cop drama and CSI show. I hope others give it a chance. It could be a fun show.
Posted by tonyftony716 Jun 4, 2008 2:44 PM Report Abuse

I agree, they think this will do better than Moonlight? That 70's show was ok in the beginning, but then it started sucking. I don't see this lasting that long. It'll suprise me if it does. This must be from the same geniuses who thought that people would want to watch a show about stupid Cavemen.....
Posted by llamb Jun 4, 2008 4:50 PM Report Abuse

boy,is everyone so "uptight" now-a-days?? i can't wait for this show. like someone else commented, tank-goodness it isn't another police drama. i lived during those times and they were a blast! (maybe being from the east coast, i have a different spin on things)
Posted by laro816 Jun 4, 2008 7:59 PM Report Abuse

My wife and I are swingers and we are very excited about this show. I don't expect it to be on long because people who don't do this sort of thing can't imagine it so I expect a quick cancellation because of complaints. Kudos to CBS for trying something daring.
Posted by typerk Jun 5, 2008 8:53 AM Report Abuse

this show will fail just like viva laughlin.. LOL!! and you know how that ended!!! I don't understand why CBS is showing this show? What a waste of time and energy.. I won't be watching this garbage
Posted by blondechic23 Jun 5, 2008 9:59 AM Report Abuse

I was a teenager in the 70's so I certainly never experienced anything like what CBS is trying to pass off as normal for the time. I think this show's premise sounds interesting and I suspect I might like to watch it... if it were on any other network. This won't get canceled because of its subject matter; it'll get canceled because CBS will screw it up.
Posted by sjpatrick Jun 5, 2008 10:00 AM Report Abuse

I'll bet teenagers will get a kick out of this show.(rating is what? PG, Adult) TV always sets such good examples regarding morals. Can't wait to see how it is received by all who watch it.
Posted by marcilynnj Jun 5, 2008 11:00 AM Report Abuse

I hope CBS loses a lot of viewers on this one. We had to lose shows like Jericho to have it replaced with garbage like this. Makes you wonder what kind of people run that network.
Posted by Sadiebug Jun 5, 2008 11:29 AM Report Abuse

This show just sounds terrible. The promos are suppose to entice viewers, but it totally turns me off. I think somebody at CBS is smoking something from the sixties to think this show will succeed. I never even watched Moonlight or Jericho, but they have to be better than this.
Posted by csifan Jun 5, 2008 12:07 PM Report Abuse

In This Section

TV Guide Spotlight

Also on TVGuide.com

Swingtown Celebrates the Sex (and Realism) of the '70s