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Swingtown

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Grant Show, Molly Parker, Jack Davenport, Where to watch: CBS)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Sex-themed '70s-set drama isn't meant for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Morality is murky in the world of the show, and most of the main characters are flawed. A married couple decides to spice up their relationship by sleeping with the neighbors, a teenage girl flirts with her high school teacher, and so on.

  • Violence:

    In one scene, a teenage girl punches a boy, causing him to bleed.

  • Sex:

    Sex is a major theme of the show. Characters swap partners, teens flirt with adults, and more. That said, while viewers will see flashes of simulated sex, sexually charged kissing, and a teenage girl (from behind) wearing nothing but her underwear, they won't see sensitive body parts.

  • Language:

    In one scene, a girl calls a boy a "faggot." But, in general, it's tamer than many other primetime shows. "Heck" is often used instead of "hell," for example.

  • Consumerism:

    Products (like Tab soda) are occasionally plugged for nostalgia's sake.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink and use drugs of all sorts, including pot, cocaine, and Qualudes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Swingtown

Parents need to know that this show is based on the concept of "swinging" in the 1970s -- the idea of two married people having an open relationship in which they share sexual partners. But while sex is a major theme of the series, it manages to keep the actual sexiness level to a dull roar. Titillating activities are implied but never shown in graphic detail, and the language is surprisingly clean. Still, you can expect to see characters drinking and using illegal drugs like marijuana, prescription pills, and cocaine. Proceed with caution when watching with teens.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether the 1970s are accurately reflected here. Which historical events helped shape the era's social mores? How was being a teen in the '70s different than being a teen today? Did parents relate to their kids any differently? Was the topic of sex more or less taboo than it is now? Parents: Share your own experiences and impressions of the era.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Born2Bgood
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

    Porn on TV

    If you need a porn fix, go to the internet. We don't need this kind of crap on TV.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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