Swingtown??

[buckt]

Just wondering - is anyone a bit put off with channel 9's broadcast of their sex saturated series Swingtown? It seems like we've lowered our community standards to a new low with this series. If there are swingers out there fine. But do we need to see it in the OKC TV market each week? I think I'll send Kelly Ogle MY two cents! Please channel 9 - you can do much better!

[ddavidson8]

I think it's hot!!!!!!1!!

[kevinpate]

not bothered to waztch the show, but I don't really see where a network affiliate has a lot to say about network decisions. Is 9's favorite Ogle really the most effective person to receive your complaint?

Just seems a bit like griping to a local Chili's hostess that their logo is the wrong shade of red. It's a decision a wee bit beyond the pay grade.

[buckt]

I think it's hot!!!!!!1!!

Seems to me that there are a ton of ways to view 'hot' things if that's your thing ie. internet, HBO, Showtime, Sinamax - whatever. Programming for a family to enjoy a few moments of moral television is practically gone. As far as Kelly Ogle is concerned - I know he has influence due to his position. If I were him I would be totally red faced to do the news following a Swingtown episode. I guess the question we have to ask regarding television is "how low will we go?"

[Luke]

If nobody watches it, it won't be around long.

[kevinpate]

> I know he has influence due to his position.

Ill agree to disagree.

He's a talking head at a network affiliate in a not terribly large media market. He is probably a very nice person all in all. However, I can't consider his position, nor any of his peer's at the other local affiliates, as having any meaningful influence over their respective network programming decisions.

Just business Charlie, just business.

Network programming basically serves one purpose - to hold one's attention until the next batch of paid ads can be beamed into the homes of the masses. If they could find a way to have us watching all ads all the time or a way to put no more effort or expense than a typical teletubbies episode requires, then the shows, good or poor, would simply cease to exist.

Bottom line, there's a fairly strong market for swingtown and skinamax and much much more, elsewhere and here in our state as well.

When it isn't one's fav beverage, just decide to not drink the kool-aid ... have a nice refreshing cup of cocoa or a brisk glass of water instead.
8^)

[raw98682]

I'm with you buckt... I dont even want to see the ads for that show.
But dont bother with Ogle.

[buckt]

> I know he has influence due to his position.

Ill agree to disagree.

He's a talking head at a network affiliate in a not terribly large media market. He is probably a very nice person all in all. However, I can't consider his position, nor any of his peer's at the other local affiliates, as having any meaningful influence over their respective network programming decisions.

Just business Charlie, just business.

Network programming basically serves one purpose - to hold one's attention until the next batch of paid ads can be beamed into the homes of the masses. If they could find a way to have us watching all ads all the time or a way to put no more effort or expense than a typical teletubbies episode requires, then the shows, good or poor, would simply cease to exist.

Bottom line, there's a fairly strong market for swingtown and skinamax and much much more, elsewhere and here in our state as well.

When it isn't one's fav beverage, just decide to not drink the kool-aid ... have a nice refreshing cup of cocoa or a brisk glass of water instead.
8^)

Isn't accepting what's popular and touted as 'if you don't like it ignore it' a lot like what happened in Nazi Germany? I can't understand those who say "ignore it and it will go away'. Isn't that kind of like ignoring a huge tumor and thinking by ignoring it -it will get better? Man - what's happened to common sense?

[Luke]

I'm thinking more supply and demand.

[ddavidson8]

I'm sorry, I fogot to add something to my previous comment:

I think it's hot!!!!!!1!!/sarcasm off

[FritterGirl]

Have you ever heard of a remote control? I know I have one, and use it regularly to either change the channel so I can find something more desirable, or, !gasp!, turn the TV off.

If you want real "family" time, rent a family video. Or, better yet, try turning the TV off altogether. Play a board game, break out the cards, create your own family "reading" group, take a walk, or oh my gosh, talk to one another. Not all "family" time has to happen in front of the TV.

I actually tried watching Swingtown for a few episodes. It was okay, and I'm a big fan of Polly Walker from her days on HBO's "DEADWOOD" (definitely NOT family viewing). I also like Jack Davenport from BBC's "Coupling," which American producers ruined when they tried to import it. It lasted two episodes, I think. The storyline isn't that bad, and actually shows characters trying to cope with the terms of the choices they're making. My annoyance with it is Jack Davenport trying to do an American accent - and rather badly. I used the remote and turned the TV off because of it.

I frankly don't give it much hope past this summer season since it was really set up to be a summer-only series. If ratings on it tank this year, then it won't be back.

[ddavidson8]

I really think the OP is more concerned about other people's families and not his/her own. Also, this show doesn't come on until 9, right? That's not really family hour.

[kevinpate]

common sense says don't engage in activities which do not advance your goals.
Of course some might opine that common sense also suggests comparing whether anyone should have an option to watch a show, or not, is a bit far afield from what happened in Germany lo those many decades ago.

As for me, I'll just agree to disagree again. It's faster.

[buckt]

I've always thought it is a weak argument to say, 'if you don' t like it turn the channel'. For those who take this point of view I doubt seriously that if your next door neighbors were hosting gang type activities and throwing trash in your yard that you would just pull down the blinds and choose not to deal with it. It seems very lazy and somewhat irresponsible to think that a community has no responsiblity to set some kind of community standards. Question: would televising executions or live sex shows be acceptable through our local stations?

[kimard]

I've always thought it is a weak argument to say, 'if you don' t like it turn the channel'. For those who take this point of view I doubt seriously that if your next door neighbors were hosting gang type activities and throwing trash in your yard that you would just pull down the blinds and choose not to deal with it. It seems very lazy and somewhat irresponsible to think that a community has no responsiblity to set some kind of community standards. Question: would televising executions or live sex shows be acceptable through our local stations?

It's not really KWTV's decision whether or not to show Swingtown. This is a CBS show, it's not locally produced by KWTV. If you have any problems with the show, contact CBS not KWTV, Kelly Ogle, or even Gary England. (Just because Kelly is the main anchor at the CBS affiliate in OKC doesn't really give him much influence over the higher markets.)

And as others have said, the show airs from 9-10pm, that's not exactly a family hour for television.

If you have a problem with the show, JUST CHANGE THE CHANNEL. After all, it's just a television show. Just because you don't like the show, doesn't mean that everyone else does. I know of many people who actually like the show. And yes, just because it concerns swingers doesn't mean it's going to start a whole new swinger revolution, or that the characters on Swingtown will show up on your doorstep one day and force you to join them. IT'S JUST A TELEVISION SHOW, the people aren't doing anything with each other, when the director yells "CUT", they're done, they don't keep going.

I've seen a few episodes from the show, and what I've seen, the show isn't that horrible. It's not like their showing anyone's "special spots." All the show does is highlight the life of people in the 1970's during the sexual revolution. And the characters in the show do much more than "doink" each other, they also deal with some life issues.

And just to answer your question, no I don't think airing live sex shows or executions would be acceptable for local stations because I'm guessing that would probably be against some sort of FCC standard.

[ddavidson8]

I've always thought it is a weak argument to say, 'if you don' t like it turn the channel'. For those who take this point of view I doubt seriously that if your next door neighbors were hosting gang type activities and throwing trash in your yard that you would just pull down the blinds and choose not to deal with it. It seems very lazy and somewhat irresponsible to think that a community has no responsiblity to set some kind of community standards. Question: would televising executions or live sex shows be acceptable through our local stations?

Wow, we are stretching a bit aren't we. Good luck on your moral crusade.

[buckt]

Wow, we are stretching a bit aren't we. Good luck on your moral crusade.

Strentching it? Are you serious? Let me see....from television days of Andy Griffith to Swingtown...nope no stretching here...just reality. Regarding morals? Yep - we are all influenced by someone's morals. The sad fact is some allow Hollywood to shape thier morals. If the shoe fits??

[ddavidson8]

Hang on a minute, I have to go sleep with my neighbors wife. I'll be back later.

[Matt]

This is already undoubtedly one of OKCTalk's best post-Mranderson threads, ever. Congrats, buckt.

[Midtowner]

Isn't accepting what's popular and touted as 'if you don't like it ignore it' a lot like what happened in Nazi Germany? I can't understand those who say "ignore it and it will go away'. Isn't that kind of like ignoring a huge tumor and thinking by ignoring it -it will get better? Man - what's happened to common sense?

GODWIN'S LAW!!!

What the hell? Nazi Germany? So the watching of a TV series involving couples who engage in off-the-screen consensual sexual acts with the permission of their spouse (and as a part of an otherwise fulfilling relationship) is a lot like Nazi Germany??

-- Austria had better watch the heck out.

ETA: The French just surrendered.

[mcbee04]

GODWIN'S LAW!!!

That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm pretty sure the side that devolves into Nazi comparisons automatically loses.

[Midtowner]

I hear that CBS just signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviets.

-- but I'm pretty sure they're going to break it.

[ddavidson8]

Hey buckt, I have my doubts about your righteous indignation. I think you are a troll.

[buckt]

Hey buckt, I have my doubts about your righteous indignation. I think you are a troll.

Wow - theres nothing like sharing opinions openly. I have my doubts about your unrighteous view point. I think you are a ??? never mind. I'm above personal attacks?

[BailJumper]

Personally, I'm okay with the show. But I completely disagree with it being on regular TV. I love WEEDS, CALIFORNICATION, etc., but I think they have their place - and that place is premium pay TV. We have never allowed the premium cable shows to air in our kids bedrooms (one is 17) - this includes MTV. My wife and I wait till the kids aree gone or in bed to watch our 'adult' themed shows and I hate that this one is on regular TV during family TV time (or anytime). But maybe we are just prude. We have to TIVO Desperate Housewives because we find it inappropriate for family viewing.