Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sex-themed '70s-set drama isn't meant for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Swingtown
What's the Story?
When Bruce and Susan Miller (Jack Davenport and Molly Parker) leave their old neighborhood behind for swankier digs in an affluent Chicago suburb, they move farther away from their old friends Roger and Janet Thomspon (Josh Hopkins and Miriam Shor) and closer to their sexually liberated new neighbors, Tom and Trina Decker (Grant Show and Lana Parrilla), who invite Bruce and Susan into their "open marriage." While the Millers are exploring their sexuality, their teenage children (Shanna Collins and Aaron Howles) are also testing boundaries when it comes to sex and drugs -- albeit in slightly less-shocking ways.
Is It Any Good?
If Boogie Nights and That '70s Show had a love child, it might look a lot like SWINGTOWN, a drama built around a downright cheeky topic that somehow manages to remain fairly tame when it comes to graphic sexual content. Although the adult characters are the show's main focus, Swingtown also includes significant teen storylines. But whether parents will feel comfortable watching a show about swingers with their kids is up to them.
Of course, the series would be a completely different animal if it were airing on pay cable (which was the producers' original plan), where nudity and language are permissible, if not encouraged. But the fact that Swingtown embraces the limitations imposed by network censors is part of what makes it so intriguing. But can a show like this win a loyal following without the aid of bare breasts and buttocks? That remains to be seen.
Talk to Your Kids 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.
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 5, 2008
- Cast : Grant Show , Jack Davenport , Molly Parker
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 14, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate