At last year's upfronts, I was surprised to see CBS attempting to step out of its crime-procedural-and-laugh-track- comedy box with a couple of shows that sounded distinctly different from anything the network had done in a while. The first was Viva Laughlin and, well, we know how that turned out. The other was Swingtown, set in the socially (and sexually) revolutionary '70s.
Swingtown is finally getting its premiere this Summer, and over the past couple of weeks, CBS has started to promote it — I caught one ad after How I Met Your Mother on Monday. The show centers on Susan and Bruce Miller, who move into a ritzy Chicago suburb and discover a seedy alluring side to life that they never knew existed. Watching the promo, I'm having trouble imagining CBS's typically older demographic reacting well to this — but I certainly want to see more. Banishing a series to the Summer typically means it isn't very good (unless it's on cable), but with more networks talking about programming year-round, maybe Swingtown can be an exception.
Besides its thematic resemblance to one of my favorite movies (The Ice Storm), Swingtown has at least one other cool thing going for it: Liz Phair is doing the soundtrack. Melrose Place fans also might get a kick out of seeing Grant Show in the ensemble. Does Swingtown intrigue you as much as it does me? To check out the trailer, just read more.
Photo courtesy of CBS
Too Faced
Seafolly
3.1 Phillip Lim
The trailer I saw after HIMYM didn't make me want to watch it, but then agian I don't watch much during the summer.
1Your description really intrigued me, but after watching that trailer I'm not as interested. It might just be the clip and cheesy graphics, but I was expecting something a little darker (like The Ice Storm) and therefore.. cooler. Maybe in a tone more similar to Mad Men. I'll probably check it out anyway.
2As much as I adore the '70s, something tells me this won't last. Especially because That '70s Show started out "in the year 1976" some people might think they're connected.
3interesting - I wasn't going to watch it before, but I am a little curious now. I thought the pic even looked a little MP - so it is kinda funny that Grant Show is in the cast!
4If it was more like something like Mad Men I might watch it. But it obviously isn't so I shall not be tuning in.
5Could be great like Boogie Nights. Or awful. Either way definitely looking forward to more Liz Phair music!
6i might actually try to catch this one - i heard about it a while back and never saw it come to fruition - so now's my chance. thank goodness for DVR though cause who knows where i'll be during the summer when it premiers.
7this could go either way. probably will watch one or two episodes and then make my decision.
8I don't really know about this one. It doesn't really intrigue me.
9The preview I saw for it last night made me roll my eyes.
10I'm not likely to watch it.
It has Jack Davenport in it, I would have to be ON CRACK not to watch it.
(steve from coupling, Norrington from Pirates, Harris from The Libertine)
11Ooh this actually looks pretty good. Grant Show looks like he fills the role well, and I like the way it is filmed with a sort of 70s patina.
12I like when the videos work! can we play that game?
13You know, actually, I wouldn't be so sure that it won't turn out to be like Mad Men. This is the first review I've seen of the whole first episode, and it's really positive! Granted, it's just one review, but it definitely makes me want to see the show for myself.
14Also — Soapboxer, I just tried the video, and it was a couple of seconds slow to start, but then it worked fine. Not sure what problem you're having, but you can also watch it directly on YouTube here.
15Nope I get a 'Video no longer available" reading. Anyway just saw the Youtube clip, thanks a lot!
16This show is hilarious! I love the cheesy decor and the 70's fashion. Wow some crazy shizz going on! I'll keep watching.
17I love Swingtown! I am like, mesmerized because I can't imagine that being real, but maybe it was? anyway, i love the character development, and there is a lot going on...not just with the parents swinging, but with the kids, the neighbors, etc. You should start reviewing this show Buzz!
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