Chicago- Fans of Chicago indie director Joe Swanberg’s racy web series Young American Bodies will be happy to know the show, which now has an online home at the Independent Film Channel, won’t be losing any of its, er, edge.
“That was a real concern of mine, that I would have to tone the show down,” said Swanberg, who writes, produces and directs the show, in a phone interview. “But it wasn’t even an issue.”
Shot largely on a handheld HD camera for a homespun feel, the show revolves around the lives of a group of twenty-something Chicago urbanites. Think of YAB as all the good parts of overblown reality television shows — sky-high libidos and soapy, introspective relationship drama — but without the blurring of the naughty bits and groan-inducing idiocy.
The show first aired online in 2005 after Swanberg, who wrote and directed Hannah Takes the Stairs, pitched the show to Nerve.com. It’s been titillating audiences ever since. Swanberg (pictured, right) also stars in the show, which ropes in about 80,000 viewers per episode.
Brush up on the first two seasons, all available online, to prep for the May 27 debut of Season 3. But be forewarned, YAB definitely isn’t safe for work.