Vegas Buzz

Cool, Far-out, and Groovy?

Family values for whom?

Swingtown is, as its name implies, a place for swingers. But this den of debauchery, this shelter for sex, drugs, and rock and roll is not located in a trailer park. Nor is it to be found on the wrong side of the tracks. Instead, Swingtown is located in a white, middle class neighborhood where men wear polyester leisure suits and the women wear platform shoes. As you might have guessed by now, the fictitious neighborhood called Swingtown is a fictional one based on society as it supposedly was during the drug culture of the 1970s. It is a retro-drama set in a bucolic suburban Chicago neighborhood in 1976, the height of the sexual revolution.

The story is told through the eyes of the Millers, a family on the rise socially and economically. The former high school sweethearts had children early in their marriage. They move into a nicer neighborhood on a tree-lined street. Their new neighbors include the Deckers, a pilot and his voluptuous wife who are really groovy, man. The pilot flies high with booze and drugs and soon reveal that they are “swingers,” the 70s term for orgies and spouse swapping.

In addition to their new neighbor’s life style the Millers must contend with a mouthy teen daughter and a son who is beginning to explore his urges and desires.

The show could actually have some redeeming qualities about it had it been done on cable or in another time slot. But CBS decided to run it on the edge of prime time. Sure, today’s kids are exposed to sex and drugs from a variety of sources. But has the advocacy of such behavior become the prime time norm? The merits of this show – and previews suggest it is well written and well acted - are overshadowed by the time slot placement. Of course, if Swingtown follows the path of most other prime time shows who try edgy topics, the problem could take care of itself with early cancellation.

Dr forgot

http://drforgot.com

Food for thought regarding the above:

Is the topic appropriate for general audience?

Should a warning accompany the show?

Is prime time the appropriate slot for this show?

What is the message regarding innocence?

Does such a show have redeeming value in said time slot?

(Vegas Buzz News Network)