Swingtown Review

Overall 3.67 of 5 view all 9 reviews

RudiXeno
Boca Raton, FL

Swingtown: HBO passed on this series. You should too!

Likes to be entertained, married, a fan of Grey's Anatomy, a romantic, Deadliest Catch fan

Pros

absolutely none

Cons

exploitive, innacurate, dreadful acting

JUN

2008

After being away from home for four weeks, I arrived home just in time to kiss my daughter and put her on the plane for Summer Camp in the Georgia Mountains. Two days later I kissed my wife and put her on an El Al Flight to Israel so she could participate in a teachers' tour of the Holy Land.

So here I am at home, banging against walls. What to do?

Well Tivo of course. Catch up on a little television. So a couple of evenings ago I clicked "Now Playing" and saw Tivo had recorded the first three episodes of Swingtown, a CBS summer series.

But First

It occurs to me that many of the members on this site weren't adults during the 1970's and may actually believe that this show represents the period accurately. If it does, I must have been mentally MIA because I was there.

The Setting and Premise

The show takes place in the mid-1970's in a wealthy Chicago suburb. No, I didn't live in Chicago. I lived in Fairfield County, a very wealthy suburb in lower southwest Connecticut.

To believe this series one would have to believe that every wealthy married couple was sleeping with every other married couple in the neighborhood. You know, swinging. Perhaps I just missed all the signs or was just away from home too much. I just don't remember it quite like this.

What the hell was CBS thinking?

Well, considering that this show was originally produced for HBO who ultimately took a pass on it, I'd say, "not much". Some cheap tawdry summer network soft-porn? Nope. This series has been so thoroughly edited from the original HBO version, just about anything on the Fox Network (or FX) would be visually more graphic.

No, it gets back to the premise and the re-writing of 1970's culture. Was there swinging going on? Of course! (it still goes on today) To this extent? Hardly!

And, of course, if their parents were swinging, then every teenager was in every other teenager's pants.

Maybe I'm a prude?

I considered this, but dismissed it when I remembered (or at least tried to remember) my Woodstock experience. The late 60's was a time of Free-Love and Drugs, Sex & Rock & Roll. Trust me when I tell you with no apology, I was there! Oh yes I was.

You'll Note

I have yet to mention the Cast or the Creators. No need. This show is pure crap. I'm sure at some future time, the cast members will thank me for not mentioning them. The acting can only be described as "friggin' dreadful".

My Viewpoint

Need you ask? This show is so bad, so offensive that I can't even suggest a trial viewing. If you're in need of being tittilated badly enough to watch this garbage, your time would be better spent renting and viewing some porn.

Rudi

Swingtown is not recommended by RudiXeno

Review inappropriate? Copyright violation?

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Comments about RudiXeno’s Review

In response to RudiXeno's comment from Sep 21, 2008 at 11:30PM:

I'm curious to know what you consider great acting? While I was a fan of Swingtown, I'm not much for watching the same episodes more than once...wouldn't that get a bit boring?

In response to pocahontas6285's comment from Sep 21, 2008 at 11:21PM:

I've seen great acting, just not here. The show has not been picked up for renewal, so savor the episodes you've recorded.

In response to RudiXeno's comment from Sep 21, 2008 at 11:07PM:

well that seems to be what i typed in my last comment

"Has no one ever seen good acting?"

In response to pocahontas6285's comment from Sep 7, 2008 at 10:33PM:

You're not seriously suggesting that this is god acting are you?

I can't believe anyone would bash the characters of this show. Has no one ever seen good acting? These actors definitely played the parts and did so perfectly!

RudiXeno whoever you are don't pretend that you are really raising the awareness button on as you call it "crap." This is the type of show that is titilatingly fun. I enjoyed watching the episodes on my pc and the developing relationships between couples and their off the wall kids. It lead you to the next un-folding storyline which much like the soaps had a flavor that kept you hanging on to see what was going to take place the next time. of course the underlying theme could not be more in tune with the times today. i think couples who consider themselves progressive or hip to any degree in todays world find a true identity with a program that is based on fantasys which todays couples certainly talk about and flirt with the daring exlploits of those who would consider actually taking their love and confidence in each other to a logical higher plane. If this guy who wrote this review didn't like the show its because he is insecure with himself and couldn't muster up the courage to say 'hey whatever floats your boat." We only go arond once so enjoy what you got and if that means sharing uninhibited then so be it. It is a lifestyle that is not for everyone but that again does not mean we should write a moral code book and all live within it for the good of somebody else 's souls.
Robert Machado

I passed on it strictly from the previews ... really great review and wonderful humor

This didn't look good and I'm glad to know I didn't miss anything. Swingtown. lol. Just the name screams "LAME"!

I remember the 70's as well and I don't remember it like the portray it either...thanks for the warning Rudi! ;)

I could tell from the "coming attractions" that this was going to be a loser. Only good thing to come out of it was this hysterically funny review. THANK YOU.