Playboy presented their very first ever panel to the Television Critics Association last week. Launching their TV for 2 brand, they focused on the first two reality shows designed to get real couples watching together.
The format of Swing is that each week, a new couple gets to visit the swinger compound. They establish their ground rules with Anna David, a sex, dating and relationship expert. Then they explore the group of swingers and meet with a therapist to discuss their feelings. “No elimination stuff, no tribal councils, no craziness,” Playboy TV Senior VP and GM Gary Rosenson said. “Just really people hanging out, having fun, goofing off and eventually it gets hot because that’s what they’re there to do.”
At first people may think the swing community is a crazy world of debauchery. David found many of her expectations subverted. “I thought I was going to encounter a group of people that skeeved me out,” David said. “I thought that they were going to be a bunch of creepy nymphomaniacs. I was completely shocked. I became friends with a lot of those couples. They were just like everybody else I know. They were a little bit more open minded perhaps than my parents’ friends, but they’re incredibly smart, incredibly thoughtful, have given a lot of thought to this. Also, I’m sober. I expected to find a bunch of drunks. I thought everybody was going to be partying. That was so not a factor. At least three of the couples didn’t drink at all and the ones who did barely did.”
Some audiences may be skeptical of the
swinging community. To them, the idea of sharing sexual partners sounds like adultery. “Swinging is different from cheating because swinging is consensual and almost always driven by the woman,” Miller said. “Women are kind of the gateway drug into this with other women and it’s always very much about a couple communicating, deciding together. You can’t convince anybody. This is a decision you have to make as a couple so it’s all about adding another level to your personal relationship and opening it up to having sex with other people.”
David herself found that communication was deeper among swinging couples than many of the monogamous couples she’s worked with. “From what I’ve seen in couples out there in the world, a lot of the fights are about things that are under the surface,” David said. “They’re about jealousy and control oftentimes that’s not being communicated. If you’re going to embark on a situation like this, you have to be so open. You’ve got to be honest. That’s sort of an ancillary benefit to the swing lifestyle is that they can’t leave these issues undiscussed.”
SWING will be taking place at a gorgeous California estate and follow real fiancées, spouses, and devoted couples as they explore the uncharted waters of free love. Every week we will profile a new set of guests and introduce them to veteran swingers, relationship experts, and a world of sexual excess. TV love guru Anna David will guide them throughout the journey, addressing all of their questions, hesitations, and excitement about their upcoming indulgences. Throughout the weekend, experienced couple swappers will also share their stories, illustrating all of the benefits (and heartaches) that can accompany “the lifestyle.” Oh yea, and there’s one more surprise we haven’t told you about yet. A special area in the mansion we like to call The Red Room. No spoilers here, but keep an eye out for it. Once you make the decision to open its doors, you may never be the same again! Forget Bed & Breakfasts this coming Valentine’s weekend, we recommend checking into Chateau Swing!
SWING premieres Friday February 11, at 10pm E/P!
