Three weeks in to the summer series Swingtown, the writers behind the retro CBS drama have managed to make both the 1970s and suburban Chicago look fun.
Maybe I am biased because Swingtown is literally the only scripted series on network television that has fresh episodes this summer but it makes me ponder numerous questions. The first question that I pondered was "could my neighbors be swingers?" Honestly, Swingtown makes me wonder just how many married couples whose age was anywhere in the 30s and 40s in the decade that gave the world this guy had open marriages.
Another question relates to the music featured in the show. Has Liz Phair (the show's music consultant) seriously sold her soul to the point of now being an expert on all things soft album rock from the 1970s? I'll go as far as saying that the music featured during the show (and available here) makes me want to listen the the KOOL 108 of a couple years ago. Like all things, though, it's best in small doses and thankfully isn't overplayed during the show.
The last question I have is a big one. Just how did the staff of Swingtown unearth so much 70s garb? The cars, the clothes, the homes and even the bad hairstyles complete with cheesy 70s mustaches for some of the guys are so spot on that the show feels like a TimeLife infomercial for some "Slice of the 70s" sensory overload experience.
Saying that I like this show would be an accurate assessment but I hope that it doesn't develop some sort of deep plot line because it works best as hairy chested eyecandy and even better as a summer series where expectations are low and choices are few.
Submitted by Melissa Gilman on June 20, 2008 - 10:49am.
I was too embarrassed to mention I've been watching "Swingtown!" It's funny, cheesy and a little creepy. I can't imagine today's helicopter parents letting their kids run around town while the adults canoodle by the pool.
One thing that struck me about those party scenes, besides the racy stuff, is the sense of community. Do people have big neighborhood parties any more?
One thing I can't stand about "Swingtown" is all the really bad 70s-themed commercials that run during it.
Embarrassment loves company! I, too, have been watching "Swingtown" and I think I'm kinda liking it - especially since Thursday night viewing hasn't been the same for me since "Knots Landing" went off the air.
It's definitely made me think back to my formative years in the 1970s - perhaps when I was getting all those babysitting calls it was because my hometown neighbors were out "swinging!"
Unlike Melissa, I LOVE the commercials. I'm retro all the way, baby!!
Submitted by Anonymous on June 20, 2008 - 12:33pm.
Not long after I moved into my post-divorce house in Indiana, I was taking my dog for a walk and a really cute house a couple streets over had a little sign by the door that said "The Swingers." I wasn't sure if that was the family's name or their walk of life.
Not long after that, I started going to a new church and I met "The Swingers," an older couple, both of whom were heavily involved in the various programs there. I felt bad for having such thoughts about them before I met them. I'm afraid to watch the show, though, because Mr. Swinger had a 1970s kind of haircut and I don't want to think about that again if there's a character that looks like him.
Submitted by markaweber on June 30, 2008 - 2:56pm.
Haven't watched the show, but ... fashion and music in the '70s? I was there, and it wasn't that great. Guys wearing white bell-bottom pants and earth shoes is an image I'd just as soon forget.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 10:54am.
I was talking to my mom the other day and asked her if she heard during the 1970s was swinging going on.
Matter of fact from a neighbor who asked her, if she was interested in being in a swingers club. Of course, my mother answer was you got to be kidding.
What did I know, I was only a teenager.
Sign up get our email newsletter, Three To Go, full of fun stuff to do over the weekend and in the week ahead, every Thursday.
Advertising
Our Other Sites
Newspapers
• The Chaska Herald News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Chaska, Minnesota.
• The Chanhassen Villager News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Chanhassen, Minnesota.
• The Eden Prairie News News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
• The Shakopee Valley News News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Shakopee, Minnesota.
• The Jordan Independent News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Jordan, Minnesota.
• The Prior Lake American News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Prior Lake, Minnesota.
• The Savage Pacer News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Savage, Minnesota.
• Victoria Town Square.com News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Victoria, Minnesota.
• Minnesota Reader.com Links to news and community information gathered from dozens of Minnesota newspapers, open for comments, discussion and rating by readers.
Entertainment
• Let's Go! Southwest Arts, entertainment and "to do" information for the Minnepolis southwest suburbs includes extensive events calendar.
Churches
• Worship Directory Churches and worship services in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Jordan, Savage, Shakopee, and Prior Lake.
Community Guides
• Guide to Belle Plaine Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.
• Guide to Carver and Cologne Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Carver and Cologne, Minnesota.
• Guide to Chanhassen Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
• Guide to Chaska Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Chaska, Minnesota.
• Guide to Eden Prairie Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
• Guide to Excelsior Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Excelsior, Minnesota.
• Guide to Jordan Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Jordan, Minnesota.
• Guide to Prior Lake Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
• Guide to Savage Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Savage, Minnesota.
• Guide to Shakopee Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Shakopee, Minnesota.
• Guide to Victoria Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Victoria, Minnesota.
Classifieds
• Southwest Jobs Now Job listings and career opportunities in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Jordan, Savage, Shakopee, and Prior Lake.
• Southwest Homes Now Real estate listings and homes for sale in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Jordan, Savage, Shakopee, and Prior Lake.
• Southwest Shop Now Job listings, used items, garage sales, and everything you'd find in the classifieds. Items from the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Jordan, Savage, Shakopee, and Prior Lake.
• Motorbuys.com Shop online for a great selection of vehicles from Central Minnesota and the Southwest Metro Area.
Coupons
• SaverFreak, Minnesota's once-a-week super coupon deal.
• Southwest Coupons Online Printable coupons for deals and discounts from stores and service shops in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Jordan, Savage, Shakopee, and Prior Lake.
Sign up get our email newsletter, Three To Go, full of fun stuff to do over the weekend and in the week ahead, every Thursday.
I was too embarrassed to
I was too embarrassed to mention I've been watching "Swingtown!" It's funny, cheesy and a little creepy. I can't imagine today's helicopter parents letting their kids run around town while the adults canoodle by the pool.
One thing that struck me about those party scenes, besides the racy stuff, is the sense of community. Do people have big neighborhood parties any more?
One thing I can't stand about "Swingtown" is all the really bad 70s-themed commercials that run during it.
Embarrassment loves company!
Embarrassment loves company! I, too, have been watching "Swingtown" and I think I'm kinda liking it - especially since Thursday night viewing hasn't been the same for me since "Knots Landing" went off the air.
It's definitely made me think back to my formative years in the 1970s - perhaps when I was getting all those babysitting calls it was because my hometown neighbors were out "swinging!"
Unlike Melissa, I LOVE the commercials. I'm retro all the way, baby!!
Not long after I moved into
Not long after I moved into my post-divorce house in Indiana, I was taking my dog for a walk and a really cute house a couple streets over had a little sign by the door that said "The Swingers." I wasn't sure if that was the family's name or their walk of life.
Not long after that, I started going to a new church and I met "The Swingers," an older couple, both of whom were heavily involved in the various programs there. I felt bad for having such thoughts about them before I met them. I'm afraid to watch the show, though, because Mr. Swinger had a 1970s kind of haircut and I don't want to think about that again if there's a character that looks like him.
Haven't watched the show,
Haven't watched the show, but ... fashion and music in the '70s? I was there, and it wasn't that great. Guys wearing white bell-bottom pants and earth shoes is an image I'd just as soon forget.
I was talking to my mom the
I was talking to my mom the other day and asked her if she heard during the 1970s was swinging going on.
Matter of fact from a neighbor who asked her, if she was interested in being in a swingers club. Of course, my mother answer was you got to be kidding.
What did I know, I was only a teenager.
Post new comment