Cable channel Bravo has purchased the exclusive rights to air CBS’ summer drama, Swingtown. Does this mean there will be a second season?
Swingtown debuted on Thursday, June 5, 2008 on CBS. The series was executive produced by show creator Mike Kelley and Jericho’s Carol Barbee. Set in the summer of 1976, Swingtown follows three families as they explore new freedoms and shifting moral values in Chicago suburbia. The series stars veterans of cancelled shows like Molly Parker (Six Feet Under), Grant Show (Melrose Place), Lana Parrilla (Spin City), Josh Hopkins (Pepper Dennis), Miriam Shor (Big Day), and Shanna Collins (Wildfire).
CBS’ President of Entertainment, Nina Tassler, gave the drama a greenlight in May 2007 after HBO had passed on the project. It was expected to air during the regular 2007-08 season but CBS decided to delay the series until Summer, typically a time used to burn off less desirable programming. Critical and viewer reception for Swingtown was mixed and the pilot debuted to fewer than 8.6 million viewers and a 2.5/7 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. The ratings for subsequent episodes dropped from there.
After seven episodes, CBS moved Swingtown to Friday nights and gave Flashpoint its place on Thursdays. In its new timeslot, the viewership plunged to a low of 2.82 million.
Despite the disappointing numbers, Swingtown has attracted media interest and a devoted group of viewers. The series also still must have some supporters at CBS because the network execs opted to air all 13 episodes rather than pull it.
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Though the series’ ratings are too low to warrant a season two renewal on the network, the CBS studio tried to find another home for Swingtown. They focused their efforts on cable channels which aren’t under strict FCC regulations. On cable, the writers could presumably take the show’s risque exploits even further and possibly attract additional media attention. Unfortunately, there’s been no takers.
Bravo recently made a deal for the cable rights to air Swingtown’s first season in the next few months. The cable station has made it clear that they are merely purchasing the pre-existing 13 episodes and have no intention of producing a second season. The deal effectively closes the door on the series’ future. With Bravo having the air rights for the first season, another cable channel would have little reason to produce season two.
On a positive note, the first (and only) season of Swingtown will be released on DVD in December. With any luck, the executive producers will use this opportunity to answer outstanding questions and to tell us what might have happened if the series had continued. Stay tuned! 
Swingtown was so enjoyable to watch. I’m disappointed it’s not coming back. And they keep dumb shows like Lost and Two and a Half Men going. Go figure.
Please bring back swingtown…..it was my favorite show ever!!! I talked to my friends about this show all of the time and they loved it too!! I’ve been looking forward to this show all winter long!!!
I just went to check online to see if swingtown would be doing a second season and to my disappointment they are not! I really enjoyed this show just like the other diehard people out there did to. I thought the show was tastefully done. it took me back to my child hood of growing up in the 70’sof remembering the cars. clothes. music, hairstyles etc… what a shame…. It would be so nice to have all those cliff hanger questions answered from last summer…. I thought all the actors were great!
I am so upset about the show not coming back.My husband and i loved the show.We watched every episode and really liked it.This totally makes me think about watching any show on cbs now i will have to wonder if it is coming back.
I’m so sad to hear that the show was cancelled. My husband and I just started watching it through Netflix and absolutely LOVE the show. It is well-written; and the acting is amazing. I wish I had known about this show before it was cancelled and could have tried to prevent it from happening. The writing for this show was smart and creative and fresh compared to all of the same formula TV junk we’re often fed, which I will not watch. It was exciting to find Swingtown. I’m truly disappointed in learning that it is cancelled. Well, at least… Read more »
booooo i loved swingtown
Loved it, great summer TV. Please add another season
Please bring back Swingtown……It was the only thing I looked forward to on TV over the summer!!!!
I really enjoyed this show…it is sad that it was cancelled. I think that had you not decided to have it aired during the summer, it would not been cancelled. Many people have things going on during the summer…especially on Friday nights. And if you live in the north during the winter…we have nothing much to do but be stuck in the house. CBS decision to have this air during the summer was poor planning. I would enjoy very much have the show come back on air with season two.
I loved this show….PLEASE WE NEED SEASON 2!
I loved this show, I can not believe they are going to end this series, I really hope they change their minds and air a second season.
i just love swingtown, remember those warm summer nights when you just can’t wait to relax in front of the tv to watch you favourite favourite favourite show. Well that was me last summer i never was interested in a show as much as i was with swingtown and beleive me when i say that. I really want you to air another season, it just wouln’t be the same without it, we love everything about it and the music was great everything was great please please bring it back. Think about us fans.
Lana and Molly are BOTH such groovy shagadelic chicks. I want MORE!!
I love this show, please bring it back for another season! I signed up for the first season on iTunes after watching the pilot, love at first sight.
Please bring back Swingtown…great great show…love it…please bring back adult show…