Part of what Jeff Gordinier does in his book, X Saves the World, is to tick off different accomplished members of Generation X, as evidence to the media hyped stereotype that we’re a slacker generation. I’d like to continue in that vein, if I may.
Swingtown is a new TV show that premieres June 5 on CBS, and it was created by Mike Kelley, a GenXer at age 40. The show is set in the 70s and was inspired by Kelley’s memories of his childhood. True to its name the show, in part, involves young hip couples swapping sex partners. Hubba hubba
It got the front page of the NY Times Arts&Leisure section this past weekend, and it looks pretty fucking cool. Just check out this youtube trailer:
The show seems like the 70s version of Mad Men, an AMC show about advertising execs in the early 1960s. Lots of period details. But more lurid and lose. Less Brill Cream and more shaggy mustaches. Less grays and more browns. You get the idea.
It was originally pitched to HBO but the cable pay channel turned it down. With some rewriting it was accepted by a regular network. Will there be any outcry or fallout? Maybe. But what kind and how much?
