Swingtown

{{Short description|2008 American drama TV series}} {{About|the TV show|the Steve Miller Band song of the same name|Swingtown (song)|}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox television | image = Swingtown pic.jpg | caption = | genre = Drama | creator = Mike Kelley | starring = {{Plain list| *Molly Parker *Jack Davenport *Grant Show *Lana Parrilla *Josh Hopkins *Miriam Shor *Shanna Collins }} | composer = {{Plain list| *Liz Phair *Marc "Doc" Dauer *Evan Frankfort<br />(original score) }} | country = United States | language = English | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 13 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = {{Plain list| *Alan Poul *Carol Barbee *Mike Kelley }} | producer = | camera = | runtime = 60 minutes | company = {{Plain list| *Mike Kelley-Alan Poul Productions *CBS Paramount Network Television }} | network = CBS | first_aired = {{start date|2008|6|5}} | last_aired = {{End date|2008|9|5}} }}

'''''Swingtown''''' is an American drama television series created by Mike Kelley as a summer replacement series for CBS aired from June 5 to September 5, 2008. The show is a historical relationship drama about the impact of sexual and social liberation in 1970s American suburban households, with story arcs involving open marriages and key parties.<ref>{{cite news |title=Development Update: October 16–20 (Weekly Round-Up) |work=The Futon Critic |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7225 |date=2006-10-20 |access-date=2007-06-14}}</ref>

==Overview== ''Swingtown'' premiered on Thursday June 5, 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080414cbs02 |date=2008-04-14 |title=Breaking News - CBS unveils its 2008 summer schedule |work=The Futon Critic}}</ref> in the time slot previously occupied by ''Without a Trace''.<ref name="nyt"/> The show was also picked up by Global in Canada, ITV3 in the United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/222376 |title=TV lineup launch disrupted |date=June 6, 2007 |access-date=2007-06-15 |last=Bawden |first=Jim}}</ref> TV3 Ireland in Ireland, Network Ten in Australia, Rai 4 in Italy, Warner Channel in South America,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=warner073107.htm |work=World Screen |title=Warner Channel Takes CBS Paramount Titles |date=2007-07-31}}</ref> and Universal Channel in Poland, TV 2 in Norway, Channel Four in New Zealand, and Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universalchannel.pl/|title=Universal Channel Poland -|access-date=27 August 2016|archive-date=April 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416183005/http://www.universalchannel.pl/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After seven episodes of declining ratings,<ref name="bandc"/> CBS moved the show's US airing to Fridays, swapping with ''Flashpoint'', which had outperformed'' Swingtown'' despite airing in a less favorable time slot. ''Swingtown's'' first season's finale (ultimately the ''de facto'' series finale) aired on September 5.

Although the show's cancellation was suspected well in advance, it was made official on January 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/swingtown-cbs-finally-officially-cancels-the-1970s-tv-show/|title=''Swingtown'' CBS (Finally) Officially Cancels the 1970s TV Show|publisher=TVSeriesFinale.com|access-date=2009-01-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090122042735/http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/swingtown-cbs-finally-officially-cancels-the-1970s-tv-show/|archive-date=2009-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/tca-cbs-says-swingtown-not-coming-back-33963|title=TCA: CBS Says Swingtown Not Coming Back|date=14 January 2009| publisher=Broadcasting & Cable| access-date=2009-01-14}}</ref>

==Premise== Set in the summer of 1976, the series begins with the relocation of the Miller family to a more affluent neighborhood in the North Shore, a suburban area of Chicago. Bruce Miller (played by Jack Davenport) is a futures trader working his way up in the business, married to Susan (Molly Parker). Susan Miller is a homemaker who got pregnant and married Bruce in high school. The couple have a teenage daughter, Laurie (Shanna Collins), and a young son Bruce Junior, nicknamed B.J. (Aaron Christian Howles).

Tom and Trina Decker (Grant Show and Lana Parrilla) are the Millers' new neighbors. Tom, an airline pilot, met Trina while she was a stewardess. The Deckers quickly befriend the Millers, and the Millers just as quickly learn that their new neighbors have an open marriage. The move strains the Millers' friendship with Roger and Janet Thompson (Josh Hopkins and Miriam Shor), their more conservative neighbors and friends from their old neighborhood. They try to maintain their friendship with the Millers, but the Thompsons are appalled when they learn about the Deckers' marital arrangement. The Thompsons have a son, Rick (Nick Benson).

Although the show mostly focuses on the three couples, their children's stories are followed too, particularly Laurie, who is attracted to her summer school philosophy teacher (Michael Rady). B.J. and Rick's friendship is also tested by the move, and B.J. meets Samantha Saxton (Brittany Robertson), an enigmatic girl who lives next door to him in his new neighborhood.

==Cast==

===Main=== *Jack Davenport as Bruce Miller Sr. *Molly Parker as Susan Miller *Lana Parrilla as Trina Decker *Grant Show as Tom Decker *Miriam Shor as Janet Thompson *Josh Hopkins as Roger Thompson *Shanna Collins as Laurie Miller *Aaron Christian Howles as Bruce "B.J." Miller Jr. *Michael Rady as Doug Stephens *Brittany Robertson as Samantha Saxton

===Recurring=== *Nick Benson as Rick Thompson  *Kate Norby as Gail Saxton  *Rachelle Lefevre as Melinda, Bruce's co-worker  *Rick Peters as Tony Mareno  *Kyle Searles as Logan Rhode  *Erin Daniels as Sylvia Davis  *Mark Valley as Brad Davis

==Pre-production== Producers Mike Kelley (head writer) and Alan Poul first pitched their idea to HBO, where Poul, who had worked on ''Six Feet Under'', had a development deal. Poul said HBO passed on the opportunity at least in part because it already had ''Big Love'' in production and ''Tell Me You Love Me'' in development.<ref name="nyt"/> The two next approached Showtime, but before discussions with that network went anywhere, CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler found out about the proposal and within a couple of days, had read the script; she gave the series the greenlight in May 2007.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |author=Jacques Steinberg |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/arts/television/11stei.html?_r=2 |title=Take My Wife. Please. I'll Take Yours |work=The New York Times |date=2008-05-11 |access-date=2015-12-19}}</ref> The script, written in anticipation of a cable network deal, had to be rewritten for American broadcast television standards, all but eliminating the nudity and the explicit depiction of sexual acts.<ref name="nyt"/> CBS ordered 13 episodes from CBS Paramount Television.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Brian Ford |title=CBS picks up 'Bang,' 'Power' plus four dramas |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7387 |work=The Futon Critic |date=2007-05-14 |access-date=2007-06-14}}</ref>

==Reception== The 26 critics included in the show's Metacritic gave it mixed reviews (a "metascore" of 49). ''Variety'' said the series "exhibits rare depth" and includes "plenty of nifty touches, from the pop-song score and ''Boogie Nights'' fashions to the first-rate cast."<ref>{{cite journal |author=Brian Lowry |url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/swingtown-1200522018/ |title=Review: 'Swingtown' |journal=Variety |date=2008-05-30 |access-date=2015-12-19}}</ref> ''The Hollywood Reporter'' said "even skillful performances by its largely unknown cast aren't able to hide the lack of character development and the sense that the people in this series are almost self-parodies."<ref>{{cite news |author=Barry Garron |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/swingtown-125599 |title=Swingtown |work=The Hollywood Reporter |agency=Associated Press |date=2008-06-01 |access-date=2015-12-19}}</ref> Salon called it "stylish and '70s-sexy but also shallow enough to feel like a less funny, hollowed-out combination of ''The Wonder Years'' and ''Boogie Nights'' — which is exactly what the show's creators told the ''New York Times'' they were aiming for (without using the words 'less funny' and 'hollowed-out' of course)."<ref>{{cite news |author=Heather Havrilesky |url=http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/iltw/2008/05/25/swingtown/index.html |title=I Like to Watch |work=Salon |date=2008-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526040104/http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/iltw/2008/05/25/swingtown/index.html |archive-date=2008-05-26}}</ref>

The American Family Association urged members to write letters of complaint to the media,<ref name="war">{{cite news |work=The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) |title=War on ''Swingtown'' |first=Cheryl |last=Tucker |page=3 |date=2008-06-03}}</ref> while the Parents Television Council followed a failed boycott attempt with an effort to convince CBS affiliates to preempt the program.<ref name="gray">{{cite news |work=Philadelphia Daily News |title=Around the channels, from 'Swingtown' to Disney |first=Ellen |last=Gray |date=2008-06-12 |page=47}}</ref> Procter & Gamble<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=128184|title=Advertisers Don't Party With CBS's Swingers|access-date=27 August 2016}}</ref> and Ace Hardware<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onemillionmoms.com/IssueDetail.asp?id=308 |title=One Million Moms.com - Issue details |access-date=2008-08-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917141903/http://www.onemillionmoms.com/IssueDetail.asp?id=308 |archive-date=2008-09-17}}</ref> stopped advertising on the serial.

Lindsay Soll writes that one "producer thinks of sophisticated swingers Tom and Trina (Show and Parilla) in a ‘''Great Gatsby''-like way,’ calling them 'the shining couple across the street.' Exactly why we'd get in bed with them--er, the show."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Lindsay Soll |title=TV on DVD |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |volume=1026 |page=58 |date=2008-12-19}}</ref>

Audience interest dwindled as the summer progressed. After a strong pilot episode, the ratings for ''Swingtown'' got progressively worse, aided{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} by a mid-season move from Thursdays to Friday.

According to executive producer Alan Poul, the first season ending was shot with the show's uncertain future in mind:<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Michael Ausiello |url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/08/grant-show-to-g.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903003946/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/08/grant-show-to-g.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-09-03 |title=Exclusive: ''Private Practice'' Paging Grant Show... |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=2008-08-15 |author-link=Michael Ausiello}}</ref> <blockquote>The season ends with a cliffhanger, but it's also a completely satisfying ending. So, if we go forward, there are many new things that are set up to explore. And if we don't go forward, there's no feeling that we've been left with something incomplete.</blockquote>

The poor ratings led CBS to see if any cable networks, or perhaps DirecTV, were interested in picking it up.<ref name="bandc">{{cite journal |author=Melissa Grego |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/cbs-paramount-shopping-swingtown-cable-nets/33089 |title=CBS Paramount Shopping ''Swingtown'' to Cable Nets |journal=Broadcasting & Cable |date=2008-08-22 |access-date=2015-12-19}}</ref> Bravo decided to acquire rights to the existing episodes, but did not order any new ones.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/01/14/cbs-confirms-swingtown-is-cancelled/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121720/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/01/14/cbs-confirms-swingtown-is-cancelled/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-12-22 |title=CBS Confirms ''Swingtown'' is Cancelled |work=TV by the Numbers |date=2009-01-14 |access-date=2014-10-22}}</ref>

==Episodes== Episodes feature songs of the period performed by the original artists; Last.fm, owned by CBS Interactive, features the songs from the show in a sponsored group cross-promoted during each episode.<ref>[http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i51cfa2a984208f30c165968be09f8e87 Last.fm Teams With CBS's 'Swingtown'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108153747/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i51cfa2a984208f30c165968be09f8e87 |date=2009-01-08}} from ''Billboard'' magazine's Billboard.biz</ref>

{{Episode table |background=#8888FF |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |viewers= |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=1 | Title=Pilot | DirectedBy=Alan Poul | WrittenBy=Mike Kelley | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|6|5}} | ProdCode=101 | Viewers=6.0<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/060208.pdf | archive-date= 2014-02-03|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140203005757/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/060208.pdf |title= Weekly Prime-Time Ratings Week of June 2-June 8| publisher= tvweek.com}}</ref> | ShortSummary=Susan and Bruce have moved their family to a more affluent neighborhood in a suburb of Chicago to try to find a different, unique sense of community that they have not felt yet. Little do they know, they have stepped into the world of swingers and the American sexual revolution. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=2 | Title=Love Will Find a Way | DirectedBy=Alan Poul | WrittenBy=Mike Kelley | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|6|12}} | ProdCode=102 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/09/ |title=Weekly Prime-Time Ratings June 9-June 15 |journal=TV Week |date=2008-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907115759/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/09/ |archive-date=2008-09-07}}</ref> | ShortSummary= Bruce's great day is capped off by going to a party with his wife Susan. Janet begins to understand how great her friendship with Susan can be. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=3 | Title=Double Exposure | DirectedBy=Joshua Marston | WrittenBy=David Graziano | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|6|19}} | ProdCode=103 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/16/ |title=Weekly Prime-Time Ratings June 16-June 22 |journal=TV Week |date=2008-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802062523/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/16/ |archive-date=2008-08-02}}</ref> | ShortSummary=Susan wants help planning a housewarming party in hopes of fixing her friendship with Janet. Trina has a different idea for the party. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=4 | Title=Cabin Fever | DirectedBy=Jamie Babbit | WrittenBy=Joy Gregory | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|6|26}} | ProdCode=104 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/23/ |title=Weekly Prime-Time Ratings June 23-June 29 |journal=TV Week |date=2008-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726121841/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/23/ |archive-date=2008-07-26}}</ref> | ShortSummary=The Millers, Deckers and Thompsons all end up at Susan's family cabin where Janet finally loosens up. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=5 | Title=Go Your Own Way<ref group="note">The title of the fifth episode ("Go Your Own Way") may be a reference to the 1977 song of the same name by Fleetwood Mac.</ref> | DirectedBy=Bob Balaban | WrittenBy=Jessica Mecklenburg | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|7|3}} | ProdCode=105 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/30/ |title=Weekly Prime-Time Ratings June 30-July 6 |journal=TV Week |date=2008-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914101955/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/06/30/ |archive-date=2008-09-14}}</ref> | ShortSummary=Defying Bruce, Susan attends a free speech fundraiser at the Deckers' home to benefit the legal defense of the star of a controversial film. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=6 | Title=Friends with Benefits | DirectedBy=Lesli Linka Glatter | WrittenBy=Vanessa Reisen | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|7|10}} | ProdCode=106 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/07/07/ |access-date=January 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016130415/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/07/07/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |title=TVWeek - Ratings - Week of July 7, 2008}}</ref> | ShortSummary=Tom is jealous when Trina and her high school sweetheart relive fond memories. Meanwhile, Susan attends the Ladies Auxiliary luncheon to help boost Bruce's career, but Janet makes the lasting impression on the elite organization. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=7 | Title=Heatwave | DirectedBy=Matt Earl Beesley | WrittenBy=Tom Garrigus | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|7|17}} | ProdCode=107 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/07/14/ |access-date=January 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016122931/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/07/14/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |title=TVWeek - Ratings - Week of July 14, 2008}}</ref> | ShortSummary=Tom throws a pool party without conferring with Trina, who is bitter about his affair with a woman he met in Tokyo; after losing his job, Roger turns to Susan for advice; Bruce and his co-worker, Melinda, get comfortable. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=8 | Title=Puzzlerama | DirectedBy=Alan Poul | WrittenBy=Adam Giaudrone | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|7|25}} | ProdCode=108 | Viewers=?<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/07/21/ |access-date=January 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016125445/http://www.tvweek.com/ratings/2008/07/21/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |title=TVWeek - Ratings - Week of July 21, 2008}}</ref> | ShortSummary=Roger and Susan, Bruce and Melinda, and Tom and Janet team up for Trina's annual Puzzlerama party, where the neighborhood's darkest secrets are the clues for the game. Trina purposely teamed Susan and Roger up hoping that they will become a couple and Bruce kisses Melinda. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=9 | Title=Swingus Interruptus | DirectedBy=Dan Minahan | WrittenBy=Joy Gregory & Jessica Mecklenburg | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|8|1}} | ProdCode=109 | Viewers= | ShortSummary=While Tom and Trina close their relationship, Susan and Bruce open a new door with Brad and Sylvia, but are interrupted by Laurie and her new boyfriend Doug. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=10 | Title=Running on Empty | DirectedBy=Alex Zakrzewski | WrittenBy=Carol Barbee | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|8|8}} | ProdCode=110 | Viewers= | ShortSummary=Bruce plans a family trip to the cabin but Laurie has other ideas about keeping her plans with Doug. Roger and Janet start seeing a therapist. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=11 | Title=Get Down Tonight | DirectedBy=Jamie Babbit | WrittenBy=Lisa Henthorn | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|8|15}} | ProdCode=111 | Viewers= | ShortSummary=Bruce and Susan enjoy a night of line dancing with Tom and Trina and Janet starts a temporary job with a local newspaper. She does well on her first few days and her boss is impressed with her work. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=12 | Title=Surprise | DirectedBy=Tucker Gates | WrittenBy=Tom Garrigus & Vanessa Reisen | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|8|29}} | ProdCode=112 | Viewers= | ShortSummary=Susan throws a surprise party for Janet for her birthday. Roger has a job interview for a job in Cincinnati and Samantha finds out that she will be moving in with her cousin Lisa, however, BJ does not take it so well. Also Trina has a surprise for everyone that will change her and Tom's lifestyle. | LineColor=8888FF }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=13 | Title=Take it to the Limit | DirectedBy=Alan Poul | WrittenBy=Mike Kelley & David Graziano | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2008|9|5}} | ProdCode=113 | Viewers= | ShortSummary= Trina and Tom have their end-of-summer clambake party at the beach. Roger purports to accept the job and is supposed to be flying out to find a place in the new city for the Thompsons to live. Janet does not want to leave Chicago. Susan and Bruce's relationship with each other could close when Susan finds out about Bruce's affair with Melinda. Laurie goes over to Doug's apartment to leave with him to Guatemala but finds out that he already left. She reads a letter from him declaring his affection and commitment to her on paper. The season finale ended with Trina reading a book about babies (Dr. Benjamin Spock's guide - a gift from Janet), Janet working on her scrapbook and pasting her Dear Janet column. Bruce goes to see Melinda at the bar where they kiss. Susan goes to see Roger at his hotel room. | LineColor=8888FF }} }}

==Ratings== There were low ratings for the first seven episodes — the seven Thursday night episodes averaged 6.7 million viewers and a 2.3 rating in adults 18-49 — led CBS to move ''Swingtown'' from Thursdays to Fridays. Following the change, the ratings for the next four episodes averaged just 3.9 million viewers, with an average 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic.<ref name="bandc"/>

==Home media== The complete series was released on DVD on December 9, 2008<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Swingtown-Season-1/10426| title=Swingtown - Exclusive New Details, Including Extras and Specs, for The 1st Season| date=August 29, 2008| first=David| last=Lambert| publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com| access-date=2014-10-22| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119121059/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Swingtown-Season-1/10426| archive-date=January 19, 2016}}</ref> and recently was re-release on June 18, 2019.

==See also== *Plato's Retreat *Open marriage *''American Swing'' *''The Lifestyle''

==Footnotes== {{Reflist|group="note"}}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links==  *{{IMDb title|0928173}} *''[https://web.archive.org/web/20131026004905/http://www.last.fm/group/Swingtown Swingtown]'' at Last.fm (a CBS Interactive website) *[https://archive.today/20130120040108/http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2009/01/cheering-the-swingtown-axe.html Courant] *[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000262.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565 Variety]

Category:Television series by CBS Studios Category:CBS original programming Category:Television series set in the 1970s Category:2000s American drama television series Category:2008 American television series debuts Category:2008 American television series endings Category:Television shows set in Chicago Category:Group sex Category:Swinging (sexual practice) Category:Television shows about infidelity Category:Television shows about casual sex Category:Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures Category:CBS television dramas