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! 
Please bring back Swingtown!!!! The music was great, the actors were wonderful, and it was different. Why do they always cancel the great shows. Someone please pick this show up and don’t let it die. I’m not going to watch anymore new shows because they ALWAYS get cancelled.
BRING BACK SWINGTOWN NOW
Please bring back swingtown it was the only good show on last summer!!!! Plus the cast was so hottttt!!!! On the show! It felt like when I was a kid waiting for the next episode of 90210 or melrose place to be on.
Please bring it back you greedie networks!!
Thanks;)
I love Swingtown! Next to Friends, this was one of my favorite shows!
I totally agree, bring back swingtown season 2, it was a great show…. Awesome Music too…
Yes, I want more SWINGTOWN!!!!! Keep all the same poeple and bring it back now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe this show will not be coming back. My wife and I LOVED this show and never missed it. Great characters, great story lines, amazing wardrobe, and the music!! Please bring on a season 2!
I don’t understand why networks dump good programs so quickly. It took several years for hits like Seinfeld and Cheers to take off and just maybe, Swingtown would have done the same if given the chance. I also have no idea where these ratings come from. No one has ever asked me what I’m watching at a particular time so, how can these ratings be all inclusive? Bring back Swingtown for us who grew up in the 70s.
i just loved the first season of swingtown!!!! i watched EVERY eposode the second it came on tv. I just can not believe that a second season is not coming out… biggest mistake ever!
evreyone we hang out with loved swingtown. please put it back on for a season 2
My husband and I loved the show. It kills shows to put them on Friday nights in the summer. Bring it back! We’ll watch it!
Me and my wife loved watching Swingtown.I was hoping it would come back on in the summer but I see it won’t that really sucks.Maybe ya’ll could at least do a movie on Bravo to sum it up?That would be really good like they did with X-Files.
I can’t believe no season two. I want to know what happens!! Season one just ended with to many cliffhangers. Also the show is a very interesting look at relationships at all ages.
Bravo – Please, Please, Please air the 2nd season if not more………..I love this show. I watched this on NBC and I’ve been watching re-runs on Universal HD. I need season 2!!! I know I’m not alone. This is a great look back at time that helped define the future rolls of women in America not to mention the awesome music used. It is a great show that deserves a better ending.
That’s really too bad my fiance and i loved the show and couldn’t believe the way it ended we NEED season 2!!!!! What happen?????
o m g !!!!! im soooooo bummed!!! im dying for a second season of Swingtown!!!! man i couldnt wait to watch that show, sitting on the edge of my seat, to see what happens next,,,,,,,,i need more!!!!! why is it we always get punished , every new show i get into and then they go and cancel it , and were left twiddling our thumbs to find out what happens!!!!!!i got soooo into this show, and now ,,,,,,,well please please someone pick it up and bring me and by the looks of it alot of others season 2 , with… Read more »