Swingtown: Go Your Own Way
What does Nadia Comenici, civil liberties, Harry Reems and bowling have in common? They were all woven into this very topical episode of Swingtown, one of the best of this summer series thus far.
The undercurrent of swinging and sex was still there, but the theme of the show was more about choice and control, who makes them and and who has it.
The Millers aren’t in synch. In fact, Susan is the first to say it out loud, turning to Trina for guidance. I really like how the women on this show are becoming more real with each episode and less types. Trina is so much more than the wanton from the pilot.
She’s smart and supportive, not only to Tom, but to Susan and Janet too. The scene in which she opens up to Tom and reveals her fear of losing him was the most tender moment yet on the show.
Politics were front and center in the show, but not Ford vs. Carter — which should have been on their minds in the summer of 1976, if you ask me (it’s in the title credits, but that’s it).
No, the politics centered on the U.S. government suing actor Harry Reems to censor his appearance in Deep Throat. As Sylvia says in the show, the Decker’s fundraiser was to help Harry’s defense fund, not to support pornography.
When Susan was challenged by Sylvia because she doesn’t know anything about the issues — she thought the Decker party was another swinging session — then is basically warned by Bruce to not go, she asserts herself. Susan reads about the subject, goes to see Deep Throat — alone– then reaches out to Janet for support.
To Bruce, Susan using her brain and asserting her independence is unsettling and he reacts by turning childish and churlish. All through the show, he’s condescending Bruce, kissing the little lady’s head, asking where’s my dinner? Bowling with Roger is more important than anything Susan has to say. In the end, he turns away from her in bed. Is that a punishment for his wife, no sex?
Speaking of sex on demand, Roger and Janet have a very set schedule for sex — every other Friday night and no veering. But Harry Reems changes things. Janet supports Susan by showing up at the party. Harry flirts with her, which is interesting because he rejected Gail (Samantha’s mom). After the party, back home with Roger, Janet gives her husband a look and they go at it in the kitchen. Thank you, Harry!
Ultimately, all the women express themselves. Laurie challenges Logan to make a choice based on intellect, not emotion. Janet and Susan and Trina lock arms in support of each other and their desires to be more than just their husband’s wives. Even Samantha and her mother embrace. When B.J. sees how Samantha cares for her mom, he gives her a sign of approval — a perfect score, 10.0, just like Nadia in the Olympics. Using the same grading system, I give this episode of Swingtown a 9.8 — only Nadia is perfect.
Other points of interest
— The Rialto movie house — a single movie theater, not a multiplex — should have looked more like what it was back then, a porno theater. There were no X ratings on the marquee.
— The actor playing Harry Reems (Rick D. Wasserman) was quite good, but the standee of Harry was all wrong. The moustache was right, but Harry had a very hairy chest. I don’t know about you, but I demand accuracy in the depiction of porno stars from the era.
— Actor Bob Balaban directed this episode and it made a difference. In 1976, he was in Maude and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, so he has a good handle on the times. He also showed a good handle on Swingtown. He really explored the characters and issues that haven’t been touched upon before. I hope he directs more shows.
— I loved the contrast between the Tupperware party vs. Deep Throat party.
— Talking to Janet, Harry says he did the movie not to make a political point about censorship. “It was a job,” he says. Amazingly, he got only $250 for the movie. Harry actually came off as a nice guy caught in a weird situation, but was he really that innocent — or naive? How could he have not known that doing Deep Throat was going to be controversial?
— Janet tells him that she’s into sales, mostly to women. Is Harry looking for a job when he says, “I’m pretty good with women.” Probably not.
— As the show progresses, Bruce is a becoming more and more of a jerk. It’s okay for him to see Deep Throat, but not Susan? He loves the sex with Susan, but he doesn’t like how she’s changing.
— Samantha’s mom is still a mess and getting worse. I think she’s heading for a suicide attempt. Sam’s already scarred, what would a suicide attempt do to her?
— Singer Helen Reddy finally made an vocal appearance with “I Am Woman.” You knew it was just a matter of time before the female liberation theme was used.
— Laurie’s comment to her mother for standing up to her father, “Way to go, Mom.” It underscored the choice that Susan made and the importance of that choice. She set an example for her daughter…and all women.
— The swinging Deckers choose not to join the orgy in the basement. Tom says he wants alone time with his wife.
— “I just want to know where all this is taking us?” Bruce wonders at the end of the show. The viewers might be wondering the same thing, but whether we see Swingtown through to 1977 and beyond remains a mystery.
– Just an observation, but the Decker’s kitchen looks much too 2008. Those are granite countertops and the color is a warm red. In 1976, there should be avocado green and formica everywhere.
Mario Lopez’ Beefed-Up Ride
Real men aren’t afraid to ride in the Mini Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Newly single Mario Lopez, sporting a “Kiss the Cook” apron, hopped out of a smaller version of the iconic frankfurter-topped vehicle Tuesday before he got to work manning the grill at a fundraiser and all-beef extravaganza in Times Square to help mark Oscar Mayer’s 125th anniversary.
Up to his elbows in hot dogs, Lopez helped promote the meat-product purveyor’s Grade-A cause, the nationwide food bank network America’s Second Harvest, which also received a $100,000 donation from Oscar Mayer before today’s event.
Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian: Gay Youth Advocates
Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian: Gay Youth Advocates
It is most definitely the ‘in’ thing for celebrities to get behind charitable causes these days. And Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian lent their star power to a very unique cause last night.
The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” babes headed over to The Abbey on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood for a fundraiser for The Trevor Project.
The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization that operates the only nationwide 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention helpline for gay youth.
And the Kardashian ladies were showcasing their spring colors, both sporting pastel-hued ensembles as they hammed it up for a good cause.
Housewives Ratings Blame Game
Who's to blame for Desperate Housewives' recent ratings slip? Star James Denton believes ABC may have something to do with it.
Denton thinks the network could have done a better job at marketing the return of the series on Sunday after it was sidelined for three months due to the writers' strike. "They didn't promote it," the actor said at last night's Cool Comedy-Hot Cuisine fundraiser for the Scleroderma Research Foundation in Beverly Hills. "Nobody knew we were back. I couldn’t believe the lack of promotion."
Housewives isn't the only show Denton thinks ABC isn't giving any love to. "Grey’s has the same issue," he said. "They don’t promote them any more either."
Viewership for the Sunday premiere hit a record low for an original Housewives episode, down 15 percent from its average of 18.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Then again, it's not like Denton is completely distraught over viewership: "Sixteen million is a victory after all that time off."