Not explicit enough for cable sophisticates but edgy enough to offend traditional network viewers, CBS' new wife-swapping, group-sex melodrama "Swingtown" lands somewhere in no man's land.
Set in 1976 — thus the bad hair and horrendous mustaches — in an affluent Chicago suburb, the June 5 premiere opened with a menage a trois and wound up with a drug-fueled orgy during a bicentennial July 4 festivity.
"Swingtown," from "Big Love" director Alan Poul and executive producer Mike Kelley, originally was pitched to HBO and Showtime, logical destinations because of the relaxed standards about nudity and sex. But HBO passed, and Showtime wanted to delay production.
To everyone's surprise, CBS put in a bid — in the hope of changing its image from stodgy to bold.
The conservative watchdog group Parents Television Council already has suggested viewers and advertisers boycott the show based on promotions and descriptions.
"Swingtown," a strange hybrid at best, tries to work around its censors while chirping about wanton sex. End result: a few laughs and awkward scenes. It's best to let cable do what cable does best.
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