Friday, September 05, 2008 Sway to '70s hit in 'Swingtown' on Velvet
SWAYING into your television screens is a show that portrays the ever-shifting "swing" of the pendulum that reflected the change in America's collective value system - morally, politically, and socially.
"Swingtown" premieres on Sunday at 10 p.m. on the Velvet Channel.
Swingtown is a relationship and period drama, which peeks into the shag-carpeted suburban homes of the 1970s to find couples reveling in the sexual and social revolution that introduced open marriages, championed women's liberation, and challenged conventional wisdom.
In the summer of 1976, during this heady era of provocative change, Susan and Bruce Miller move their family into an affluent Chicago suburb in search of a different sense of community, including barbecues and get-togethers with their new neighbors, as well as a change of pace for their teenage daughter and preteen son.
Their neighbors add sugar and spice to their newfound society, including Tom and Trina Decker who have an open marriage, their daughter Laurie who explores her relationship with a summer school Philosophy teacher, and Roger and Janet Thompson, the Millers' more conservative neighbors who are appalled by the Deckers' marriage.
The show features highly acclaimed TV actors and actresses. Molly Parker is a Canadian actress who stars as Susan Miller. Molly has appeared in a number of films and television shows such as HBO's "Deadwood" and "Six Feet Under."
Jack Davenport plays the role of Bruce Miller, a future trader and Susan's husband. Jack is most known for his role in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series of films as well as in the British sitcom "Coupling".
Young actress Shanna Collins plays the curious and daring Laurie Miller. Having been in the industry since 1995, she has appeared in shows such as "Veronica Mars," "Criminal Minds," "Malcolm in the Middle," and "Standoff."
The show also stars Grant Show who plays the part of Bruce's neighbor, Tom Decker. Grant has been casted in various TV shows such as in the 1990s hit shows "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills, 90210" and in "Six Feet Under."
Acting as his wife, Trina Decker is no other than Lana Parilla who has starred in shows such as "Windfall," "Boomtown," "24," and "Spin City." There is also Josh Hopkins as Roger Thompson who can boast of being part of the shows "Ally McBeal," "Ghost Whisperer," "New York Undercover," and "Brothers & Sisters."
There is also Miriam Shor as Janet Thompson. Miriam has been part of the TV series "Then Came You," "Inside Schwartz," and "Big Day".
The other cast includes young stars Aaron Howles as BJ Miller, Bruce and Susan's teenage son and Brittany Robertson as Samantha Saxon.
The show has been getting very good reviews.
Variety Magazine 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."
Added to that is a critic from Salon.com, which called it "stylish and 1970s-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."
In a shifting social climate - defined by its music, fashion and style - everyone in "Swingtown" is confronted with personal choices, experimentation and varying attitudes.
From the director who brought you "Big Love" and "Rome," witness the intriguing and controversial life in the 1970s in "Swingtown," premiering Sunday on the Velvet Channel.
Primetime encore of the controversial program is on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. (JRDB/Sunnex)
