Last Night They Loved You, Opening Doors and Pulling Some Strings
"Swingtown" / The TV Whore
June 5, 2008
“Swingtown” is the last remnant of CBS’ great experiment. A little more than one year ago, the Eye unveiled a 2007 fall schedule which was, of course, chock full of the usual fare that’s become the network’s bread and butter — the “CSI” trilogy and all the procedurals (“NCIS,” “Cold Case,” etc.). But nestled in between all those shows were a few freshmen that were a bit off the network’s beaten path. “Cane,” where the Latino sugar-plantation met “Dynasty,” wasn’t an enormous leap, perhaps, but “Moonlight” and its vampire detective sure was. Not to mention the dis-ass-terous experiment that was the singing casino folk of “Viva Laughlin.” And of course, we now know this was a capital-F failed experiment, as all three shows went off to Cancledtown (shit, “Viva Laughlin” didn’t even make it to Episode Two). Take that success rate of the network’s experiment and add in the fact that “Swingtown” is premiering in the summer — which serves the cable channels well, but hasn’t really been a launching point for the non-Fox networks, excepting reality shows — and it’s safe to say that folks probably have some low expectations.
Which is probably a good thing for a show set in 1976 about a suburban town where the neighbors like to swap sex partners and orgy it up. First things first, if you’re unsure that the show is set in 1976, don’t worry — you’ll be reminded a-plenty. It’s one thing to throw up some dates on screen, and it’s of course wholly appropriate to have the 70’s clothes, hair and costume/stage design. That all gets the job done. But it’s another thing to feel the need to inundate the viewer not just with an orgy of era-appropriate music, but with obvious winks like a can of Tab, an 8-track or a clip from the 70’s edition of “$20,000 Pyramid” (or whatever amount the Pyramid was going for in those days). One hopes that the “hey look, we’re in the 70’s!!!” syndrome will go into remission, because if the rest is done well, you simply don’t need to constantly remind the viewer what era they’re watching.
In fact, you only need look no further than the hair on Jack Davenport’s head or the sweet porn ‘stach on Grant Show’s upper lip to be dead-certain that it’s 1976. Davenport and Show, who are two names I would never think of putting together, play the male leads. Show’s Tom Decker and his wife Trina (Lana Parrilla, who you might remember as the paramedic from the wonderful, but short-lived, “Boomtown”) are residents of Swingtown (if the little suburb has an actual name, I didn’t manage to catch it). They introduce newly arrived Bruce Miller (Davenport) and wife Susan (“Deadwood’s” Molly Parker) to their swinging 70’s way, and the Millers readily jump into the, uhm, swing of things. At first, I was tempted to grumble about how quickly the Millers where willing to go down that road, but on second thought, I was willing to let it go because it’s probably a smart narrative decision — watching them see-saw and hem-haw on the idea for several weeks would have gotten old and, this way, the show will be able to quickly turn to the impact of a swinging lifestyle on the couple (besides, there’s another character who seems to have all the Judgmental negativity about swinging orgies that one needs).
And that’s what the show purports it will be doing, focusing on the Millers (as well as the Deckers and one other couple) and how they handle grown-up issues of identity, love, marriage, etc., with the swinging and the drugs and the orgies simply being a facilitator and catalyst. It’s hard to judge whether the show will be able to succeed with this task from just watching the pilot, but I certainly have my doubts. For example, check out this mother-daughter discussion from about halfway through the episode:
Mom: He’s an older boy.
Daughter: Times have changed mom. Women can decide if and when they want to have sex with someone.
Mom: …So are you? Having sex?
Daughter: You say that it’s the worst thing a person could do.
Mom: That’s not an answer.
Daughter: Look, I get that I’m the same age that you were when dad knocked you up, but you don’t need to worry, cause I’m smarter than that.
Mom: I know you are. *plays with daughter’s hair* I just, I want you kids to have happy, healthy lives. Keeps me up at night.
Daughter: You know, there are better things to do at night.
It’s a bit crude, and if this is what’s going to pass for the characters really getting into the meat of things, well, the show really would’ve been better off on HBO or Showtime (both of which passed) so that there would at least be some “fucks” and tits to distract us.
And speaking of the daughter, there’s a bunch of shit going on with the kids on this show and it’s all kind of, well, shit. For example, said daughter is dating this older meathead type but, get this, she’s also awkwardly crushing on her summer school English teacher. It’s as interesting as it sounds. But at least the actress playing the daughter (I’m writing this on a plane so I can’t IMDB her for you) is decent enough. I’m not sure the same can be said for the other kids, although it’s hard to tell given how bizarre and out of place their scenes felt. For example, there’s the scene where a thirteen-ish boy gets his ass whomped by a chick for telling his “faggot little friends” that he was “doing it” with her. And then there’s the angsty neighbor girl who rebels against her cokehead mom by breaking into homes and then freaking out on the neighbor boy when she leaves something in his room during one of her break-in stints. And she’s maybe running away too. I dunno — I imagine that all these scenes with the kids are intended to set up coming-of-age stories, but they just seemed to carry a different tone than the rest of the show and wound up feeling out of place.
As for the adults, it’s a mixed bag there too. Lana Parrilla and Grant Show are actually great as the swinging Deckers, and the scenes with both of them were quite fun to watch. I’m not sure I’ve seen Show in something since his “Melrose” days, so he’s actually a bit of a surprise here. Jack Davenport and Molly Parker are surprises too — but while Show was a happy surprise, the Davenport and Parker surprises are more because they’re slight disappointments. Neither is terrible, mind you. But while I know Davenport can play an excellent straight-and-sober man (he was tits on “Coupling”), there’s something just off about his performance here. I think it’s tied into him working on his American accent, although it may be something more than that. Parker, meanwhile, was mostly great on “Deadwood” but, here, she seems to be lacking something (except for the scene when she pops a quaalude, as she’s able to slide into the loopy doped-up mode she perfected in “Deadwood”) — her performance just felt kind of light, which I suspect is tied into her attempts to portray her character as bored and stuck in her ways. As she presumably blossoms (for better or worse), I imagine Parker will be able to take over the character a bit more. As I mentioned above, there’s also a third couple involved in the show, the Millers’ friends from the old neighborhood (and parents to the kid who got the “doing it” beat down). Again, actor names are out of reach since I’m in-flight, but the Mrs. was perfectly fine at playing shocked-and-aghast at the orgiastic goings-on at the Decker household. And the Mr., one of “those guy” actors, was equally fine as the guy quietly intrigued by the orgiastic goings-on at the Decker household, particularly as he’s clearly got a thing for Parker’s character.
Overall, I realize this is a mostly negative review, but the show isn’t without some potential. As mentioned, Parrilla and Show are quite entertaining. And if “Swingtown” can avoid being overhanded in reminding us that it’s a 70’s show and, instead, hit some of its intentions of exploring the three couples, it might actually be an entertaining enough show. Since the odds are way against this show getting a renewal, let alone even seeing all 13 episodes hit the air in this summer burn-off, don’t feel obligated to watch. But if you’re looking for a new diversion, this may be able to tide you over for a little while.
(“Swingtown” runs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on CBS, premiering tonight.)
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television editor. Although he barely remembers anything of the 70’s (thankfully), the bright orange shag carpet of his childhood bedroom still haunts his memories.
Whiskey Baby Ninja Star T-Shirts on Sale
Savage Grace Review |
| Sling Blade
|
Comments
I think I'm going to go with "Fear Itself".
Posted by: Cindy at June 5, 2008 1:04 PM
Goooooooolden Years. . .
Thanks for that early morning Bowie!
Posted by: coveredinbees at June 5, 2008 1:15 PM
Our shag carpet was olive green. It was so long I would lose toys in it.
Posted by: katy at June 5, 2008 2:02 PM
Our shag carpet was a lovely combination of orange, yellow, and red. It was not only on the floor of our family room, it also ran up one wall. I can only assume it was there when we moved in, because I can't imagine my father agreeing to wall carpet.
Posted by: Three-nineteen at June 5, 2008 2:13 PM
You know, I've been looking at that YesButNoButYes ad all week, and I've only just now realized that those are not actually her hands.
Posted by: Lindzee at June 5, 2008 2:20 PM
Why couldn't this be set in the 00s again? I have a weird thing about current TV shows set in other decades. It bothers me for some reason. Besides the 70s...uh...I wasn't alive. Fuck it. I'll watch it just because of the orgies. I hope Scrabble is somehow involved.
Posted by: Joker at June 5, 2008 2:20 PM
we had multiple shag carpets. My mother is a monochromatic decorator, so the green shag room had green painted walls, the orange shag room had orange painted walls, the blue shag room had blue painted walls and the brown shag room had...
paneling.
She still decorates like this, BTW. Less shag, more matchy matchy!
Posted by: lilianna28 at June 5, 2008 2:37 PM
I always wavered with Molly Parker on Deadwood, there were times that I really enjoyed her portrayal of Alma, and others I wanted to bitch slap her with a can of peaches. No cinnamon.
I too, will watch this for the orgies. And the mustaches.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 2:43 PM
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that the couple in the YBNBY ad are gonna be glued to their set when this program airs...
Just a guess...
Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at June 5, 2008 2:45 PM
Julie, you must be a fan of 70s porn. I personally have a problem with moustaches. My dad has one therefore they've NEVER been sexy. EVER. He's ruined an entire decade of porn for me.
Posted by: Joker at June 5, 2008 2:53 PM
I am indeed a fan of 70's porn. They are hilarious. I love watching afros shake in time with the headboard.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 3:02 PM
Saaaaame, Joker. I can't get down with beards, either. Or guys with my dad's name. Or Republicans, for multiple reasons.
Posted by: Geetch at June 5, 2008 3:05 PM
So what you're saying is that you like black 70s porn? Hmm...I'd like to take a trip inside your head, but I'm afraid I might not come out alive.
For the sake of sticking to the topic, do we see any actual orgies or is it merely implied? I mean...this is network TV after all. You can't say "fuck" so I don't see how orgies will fly.
Posted by: Joker at June 5, 2008 3:07 PM
You'd be alive Joker, but you'd also be dazed. And sticky.
Ew.
I'd imagine we'll be seeing a lot of scenes of 6 or more feet sticking out of the bedsheets.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 3:09 PM
Or guys with my dad's name.
Shivers...
Still, a cousin of mine married a girl who shares her name with his sister.
I never have to search my memory when I greet her at family reunions.
Posted by: Adere at June 5, 2008 3:15 PM
I second that ew. I mean, I expect to get sticky in your mind, it's basically swimming in a sea of...sticky fluids (double ew).
Oh well screw that then...I'd at least like to see the 2 guys making out...or girls...or anything that would upset republicans.
Geetch, what do you have against repubicans? (typo, but keeping it because I like it.) Without them, the Daily Show would be terribly boring. AND there'd be no Stephen Colbert. Think about that.
Posted by: Joker at June 5, 2008 3:17 PM
Huh, I saw an ad for this, saw Molly Parker in it, and assumed it was a weird attempting-to-be-artsy/edgy Canadian show. Molly Parker: the Canadian female Kevin Bacon. The gal's in everything up here.
Posted by: MO at June 5, 2008 3:20 PM
...brown shag room...
Eww.
Posted by: jM at June 5, 2008 3:27 PM
Since it seems like most of my regular shows are drying up for the summer (at least until July) I'll give this one a shot.
"I too, will watch this for the orgies. And the mustaches."
Mmmm...my husband has a mustache. It's a wonderful thing.
Posted by: Olivia at June 5, 2008 3:43 PM
"I am indeed a fan of 70's porn. They are hilarious. I love watching afros shake in time with the headboard." -Julie
"So what you're saying is that you like black 70s porn?" -Joker
Noooooooo! White guys and white chicks had afros. Barbra S. started the women's afro in A Star Is Born, and I'm not sure when it started for men, but white guys had afros way before that even. Welcome Back Kotter had a fro. The red headed kid in Room 222 had a fro. Alex Trebek had a fro.
Posted by: BWeaves at June 5, 2008 3:46 PM
It was indeed white dudes that I was thinking of BWeaves. A friend of mine, since the day I met him, has sworn that he once saw a 70's porn featuring a guy with the biggest white man's fro in the world who yelled out "moop!!" when he orgasmed. My buddy likes to randomly yell this out and mime an afro bouncing in time with the moops. It's been about 7 years of this, and it's ALWAYS funny.
Moop.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 3:50 PM
Can't we just enjoy all porn? And all afros?
Why you gotta get all racial about it?
Posted by: TK at June 5, 2008 4:00 PM
I enjoy porn and afros of in all the colors of the rainbow, TK. But they must be from the 70's, they're much more glorious.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 4:03 PM
I enjoy porn and afros of in all the colors of the rainbow
Does this mean your into clown porn, Julie?
Posted by: Bistro at June 5, 2008 4:06 PM
NOOOO!!!! Ahem. No. Clowns are baby-eating monstrosities who should never be allowed to disrobe and perform acts of squickiness.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 4:11 PM
Come on, Julie... You know you want it... Would you like a balloon animal? Just let me step out of these giant shoes.
Posted by: Porno the Clown at June 5, 2008 4:15 PM
Joker, I think shows set in other decades inevitably fall under the Happy Days Syndrome. After the first season, the actors get tired of wearing the period clothes and hairstyles and slowly the show seems to resemble no period at all.
Posted by: Andrew at June 5, 2008 4:16 PM
AUUGH! WHY did I click on that link, I KNEW it was going to be something beyond disturbing.
Aaaaaaaand I'm never sleeping again.
Posted by: Julie at June 5, 2008 4:19 PM
i won't even bother reading the article.
you just quoted my favorite bowie song ever.
yay!
Posted by: roulotte verte at June 5, 2008 4:32 PM
OK, I'm British, so the phrase "multiple shag carpets" brings all sorts of (probably unintended) images to my mind. On the other hand, the show is about swingers, so maybe they >i>will end up shagging multiple times in the carpets....
.... And now I am wondering how hard it would be to remove spooge from shagpile... ugh.
Time to go home, I think!
Posted by: Tarn at June 5, 2008 4:48 PM
...stupid dropped tag.. sorry!
Posted by: Tarn at June 5, 2008 4:49 PM
A friend of mine, since the day I met him, has sworn that he once saw a 70's porn featuring a guy with the biggest white man's fro in the world who yelled out "moop!!" when he orgasmed. My buddy likes to randomly yell this out and mime an afro bouncing in time with the moops
That's good stuff right there.
Posted by: katy at June 5, 2008 5:25 PM
Every time I see the commercials I'm kind of like... "Really? We're still doing this 1970s thing??" It's like someone got the idea for this show 10 years ago, but it didn't get greenlit until this year.
Posted by: june at June 5, 2008 5:33 PM
So basically they made "The Ice Storm" into a tv show?
Posted by: lola o at June 5, 2008 6:19 PM
Uh, I have nothing to add to the porn discussion, although I may start using "Moop" as an exclamation. "All the bagels are gone? Moop!" Or I may do a double "moop" and incorporate a head movement of some kind. Haven't decided.
"Viva Laughlin" may be the worst 5-7 minutes of TV I've ever seen (non-news). Seriously, after about 5 minutes, couldn't take anymore.
I watched "Fear Itself" tonight. Meh. Not awful, not good, just kinda there. Oh well. It's better than the unscripted crapola the networks shovel out. May watch again if there's absolutely nothing else to watch. Or do some laundry.
Posted by: Slash at June 6, 2008 12:09 AM
WTF does "large sexy" mean? Is that eastern European for "very sexy"?
Wait a minute... I may start using that, too. "Damn, Brad Pitt is large sexy."
Moop!
Posted by: Slash at June 6, 2008 12:13 AM
I still think William Katt, my Greatest American Hero had the best white fro. That was the business. Never wobbled, never wavered, like a gleaming frizzy helmet.
Posted by: divinityblue at June 6, 2008 11:24 AM
Isn't it difficult to make a white-fro though? I mean...the soft straight hair, how do you get it into a fro?
Tarn, up until now I thought everyone was talking about carpets that are good to shag on. So now someone needs to tell me what a shag carpet actually is. I've clearly gotten the wrong idea.
Posted by: Joker at June 6, 2008 11:33 AM
I liked the show. Probably because I was 10 years old in 1976 and the pop culture references were a lot of fun for me. Shag carpeting, avocado colored appliances and shitty easy listening music invoke nice childhood memories for me. That aside, the show is well written and the conflict arising from the new neighbor's plunge into wife swapping should be interesting to watch.
Posted by: Dano at June 6, 2008 6:34 PM
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-shag-carpet.htm Joker, that's should answer your question.
Though I can't for the life of me remember ever seeing a shag carpet in real life (I was born in 1984), I somehow have a distinct memory of what it feels like to touch and sit on it. But I'm a sensual person, and most of my memories are more remnants and impressions of how things "felt" at the time.
Posted by: BMG at June 8, 2008 2:07 AM
As a jew from NY, I can tell you that most of the community I was raised in as a kid were sporting the natty JewFro between about 1971 and 1978, myself included and I was in grade school. My best friend's father had the most perfect of them all, glossy brown and well tended to. East European/Middle Eastern heritage + humidity - good hair care products = the JewFro. Just the sight of one now makes me feel crazy nostalgic for a childhood I have re-imaged to be idyllic.
Swingtown, on the other hand, just came across as trying too hard to shove every single plot point down our throats. I thought the most interesting moment of the entire show was when Molly Parker admits that because she got married right out of high school and started raising her children, she missed out on the whole "Woodstock, free love thing." That small detail spoke volumes about her station in life firmly outside not only the counter culture, but maybe culture itself.
Posted by: Amy at June 9, 2008 12:45 AM
ps: And does anyone else confuse the title with the far superior Boomtown and desperately wish that we could be watching that fantastic and tragically cancelled show instead?!?
Posted by: Amy at June 9, 2008 12:47 AM
I was desperate for a new show that wasn't Reality, so I checked it out. Why anyone feels compelled to revive memories of the 1970s - a decade hideous for its fashion, music, social attitudes, child-rearing methods, interior design, ETC. is best forgotten. Is there anyone who survived the '70s who DIDN'T have shag carpeting? But aside from that...it was an entertaining enough show, mainly because of the novelty. It didn't feel like any other show (although someone up-thread has it right - "The Ice Storm" made for television, kinda - only so far, less heavy, but not much less heavy-handed.) It's like the show is supposed to be a history lesson for the younger generation: gee kids, before we got a clue, we had repressive sexual attitudes and women stuck at home being bored - which lead to total rebellious mayhem 15 years later, when everyone jumped everyone else, all the time! While relentlessly doing drugs! And listening to bad music! It's kind of a mystery what motivated this particular creation, but at least it's unexpected.
Posted by: bluebird at June 12, 2008 10:48 PM
Pookie: Hey lady you need some money?
Lady: Yes, but I'm not going to do anything to get it.
Pookie: Well then you don't want no money lady.
Lady: Get away from my you creep.
Pookie: Listen lady, I'm trying to be a good guy and help you out. But if you're going to be a cunt, well then I'm going to take my money somewhere else and help those that want help.
Lady: Ok ok, I'm sorry. I just didn't want to get caught up in any kinda mess.
Pookie: So then, do you need some money?
Lady: Yes I do, can you help me?
Pookie: Yes, but you have to go with me somewhere.
Lady: Where?
Pookie: Shut up and get in the car!
Lady: Ok.
Posted by: Pookie at June 15, 2008 2:29 PM
