Swingtown

Is anyone else watching Swingtown, the new show about swinging couples in 1976 suburbia that CBS hopes will ressurect it from ratings death? The dialogue is awful, the plot lines corny as hell, and the acting downright cringe-worthy, but like a Spears family headline, I just can't seem to look away from it. To its credit, the show is beautifully shot, the lighting near perfect, and there's something summertime familiar about — something, until last night I couldn't quite put my finger on. And then, skimming reviews of the show online, I learned that it's produced by a former principal director for Six Feet Under, one of my favorite shows ever, a show I'd happily sit in front of the television on a beautiful summer evening to watch. The creators also hoped to inject a bit of Wonder Years feel, another favorite of mine, and though they don't come close to matching the heart of Kevin Arnold's reminisced childhood, they do succeed in creating a hint of it, at least. Combine that with sexy-again 70's sundresses, at least one cute character I wouldn't kick out of bed, and the promise of many more group sex scenes, and it seems Swingtown is suddenly a bit of a guilty pleasure for me this summer. Please tell me I'm not the only one who's spending Thursday nights watching CBS.

Comments

[ChicagoJen]

I watched the first two episodes but missed last night's.

I really want to like it but it is really lame. However, I do like the clothes and lighting and some of the actors ( it's really alarming to watch the guy from Coupling speak in a weird Canadian-like accent-- I thought Brits did us better than we do ourselves?!?) are really hot (hello Grant Show and that preying mantis playing his wife.)

So, I guess what I am saying is that while it's no Six Feet or Wonder Years, I'll keep it on if it's on and I'm around.

I just wish they'd shelve all those music montages. We get it. It's the 70s!

[Sam.]

Dude, we totally watched that shiz last night! I seriously could not stop staring at those clothes (I really wish, without a hint of sarcasm, that flowy shoulder dresses would pop back into style, swear to God)...and the mustaches! Who doesn't love a good mustache?! Also, I can't imagine their budget for the music they use. Pretty much any show, no matter how cheesy, that features Dylan and Earth, Wind, and Fire all at once, will most likely have me at "Wanna draw on my living room wall" :)

[Krissa]

I was right there with you last night, lady. PLUS, the guy who plays Bruce was on Coupling, in the UK, and is hilarious!

[kirida]

I watch this show. It's campy and fun, albeit predictable. No, you're not the only one watching CBS. I also watch it for Sunday Morning because it's the only show where nothing bad happens.

[Courtney]

Um, I'm not watching CBS yet but I certainly WILL be when Big Brother is on because yes, I am that sad. Right now though I am very very busy with Billy Ray Cyrus and Nashville Country Star.

[ncmd]

We have watched all three episodes so far, and plan on watching the rest as well. I have chatted with someone who was swinging back in the 70s, and he says that the show is accurate about how things went back then. The show is a real flashback for us to the 70s.