The ‘70s are in full swing tonight as CBS airs the premiere of Swingtown, the controversial drama series created and executive produced by Mike Kelley, whose credits include Jericho, The O.C., One Tree Hill and Providence.
The producers describe the show as “a snapshot of that unique moment in American history when feminism, political liberalism and sexual experimentation began to trickle down to the Middle American suburbs, resulting in the shifting mores that changed our society forever.” Judging from the narrative, Swingtown hardly sounds like a CBS series. But then again, this is the network’s attempt to compel fans of boundary-pushing basic cable channels like FX and AMC to sit up and take notice of their latest offering.
If open marriages and key parties are your thing, then Swingtown is definitely for you. The pilot, which seems to have a lot of potential, features some pot smoking, Quaalude taking, coke snorting, leg rubbing, Penthouse viewing and a lot of orgy partaking. While it has enough familiarity to lure back viewers for more, it also includes a soundtrack of ’70s hits that adds to the nostalgic backdrop.
On the first episode of Swingtown, Susan (Molly Parker) and Bruce Miller (Jack Davenport) transfer their family to an affluent Chicago suburb, leaving behind their neighbors Janet (Miriam Shor) and Roger Thompson (Josh Hopkins). Susan and Bruce, who are less uptight and more adventurous than their former neighbors, seem to like their new digs and their chic neighborhood, where they are welcomed by new neighbors Tom (Grant Show) and Trina (Lana Parrilla) Decker, child-free swingers into drugs, sex, vinyl LPs and cocktails.
The series also features Shanna Collins as Laurie Miller, Aaron Howles as Bruce “B.J.” Miller, Jr., and Brittany Robertson as Samantha Saxton.
Don’t forget to catch the premiere of Swingtown tonight at 10pm ET/PT on CBS.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CBS
(Image courtesy of CBS)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
