If you were a TV producer launching a new show about 1970s swingers, would you admit the plot was based on the lives of your parents? Mike Kelley, the creator of Swingtown, which airs on June 5 on CBS, didn't have a problem with the attribution.
Bored of traditional comedies and the flooding of crime shows, the shows producers thought they'd bring back the swinging 70s. They describe it as Boogie Nights meets “the sweetness of 'The Wonder Years.'â€
The New York Times says in the first episode alone we can expect, “A ménage à trois; a high school junior smoking pot and later flirting with her English teacher; the flagrant enjoyment of quaaludes and cocaine; and the sight of the neighborhood scold unwittingly stumbling upon a groaning and slithering orgy. 'Why don't you kick your shoes off, Mom, and join the party?' is how a middle-aged participant, clad only in mutton chops, says hello.â€
Wow. Check out the trailer. This one takes That 70s Show up more than a few notches.
It's an ideal time for the retro revival considering the recent emphasis on all things 70s, whether it's in fashion, interior design, music or other entertainment.
The first three photos are screen shots from the show, the fourth photo in the gallery is of his parents and their friends.
Retro Plots
Swingtown Showcases Swingers of the 1970s (Your Parents)
Trend Themes
1. Retro-themed TV Shows - There is an opportunity to create TV shows with a retro theme that plays on people's nostalgia.
2. Adult-themed Period Dramas - There is an opportunity to create period dramas that are focused on mature themes and explore lifestyles from history.
3. Revival of 1970s Fashion and Style - There is an opportunity to capitalize on the current trend around 70s fashion and style, including through branding and marketing efforts.
Industry Implications
1. Television Industry - The television industry can take advantage of the growing trend towards more risque and controversial content.
2. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can take advantage of the current trend towards 70s style and use it in their branding and marketing efforts.
3. Entertainment Industry - The entertainment industry can explore more mature themes and subject matter that tap into people's nostalgia and love for the past.