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! 
Man, what a bummer. I really liked this show and so did my ex sister-in -law, we would watch it together and she would get so excited for what would happen next. There is not much that makes her happy but Swingtown reallbrought out her other self (fun and exciting ) the girl I used to know. There is so much crap on tv especially reality show I hate them all, then comes along a really well thought out show and what does CBS do put it in a **** time slot where it is doomed to fail. Bring the… Read more »
This was one of me and my husbands favorit tv shows especially for last summer, we would DVR it put the kids to bed.. Have a glass of wine and just rewind and feel as though we were in a different place and time which it was in the 70’s, which we were just little kids then.. I’ve been looking to see when the 2nd season was going to air and very disappointed when there wasn’t going to be one..So if at all possible please bring it back!!!
This was a show that was different from any other. Not another reality show, not another law show, gameshow or crime investigation show. It was different and exciting. I was so angry whe they pulled it and left so many loose ends. It helped to take you into a forbidden side of life that many would, could or should not visit. A vicarious thrill, if you will. BRING IT BACK, PLEASE!!
Are you f***ing kidding me?!?!?!?! Out of all the crap that the television execs show us, this one was one of the best! Now, all I have to look forward to on the summer programming is some lame a** CSI or Law and Order???? You people are out of your minds!!!!!!! The simple fact that we give two sh*** about Paris Hilton getting a new BFF for a second year just goes to show how dumb the vast majority of society is. I mean, what will it be next, Real World Hoboken? Or wait, maybe we should watch more fat… Read more »
we have been waiting for the second season of swingtown and now we are very disappointed that it wont be on again. bring it back!!!!!!!!!
LOVED,LOVED ,LOVED this show. The chemistry was so amazing. It was my secret indulgence. I DVR’d it every week. I couldn’t wait to see the next episode and what each character would be up to. Please bring it back. It was sad to see season one end. Please don’t takeit away. Between reality tv and cartoons we need something to really sink our teeth into.
Bring it back. Very interesting. I loved it.
Bring it back, my husband and I love the show and looked forward to seeing it.
I was looking forward to the new season of Swingtown. Bring it back!
love it bring it back
I could not wait for Season 2 of Swingtown – am extremely disappointed it is not airing this season!
THIS WAS A VERY GOOD SHOW FOR UN INHIBETID VEIWERS,THE DESCRETIONS WERE VERY CAUSIOUS AND ENTERTAINING TO THE VEIWERS IN THE 40-50 YR RANGES,IT BROUGHT BACK VERY GOOD MEMORIES OF DAYS GONE BY.
Bring Back Swingtown!! I’ve been watching tv lately just to see the promos for the “new season”…I didn’t realize there might not be one! Why cut the good shows and leave all the crap on instead? Swingtown is fun, keeps you guessing, has great characters, etc…and you CAN’T leave us hangin’ after that season finale!!!!!!!!!!
I am so upset Swingtown has been cancelled. I have been waiting for it to come back on this summer. I thought the show was terrific and unique. Please do another season!
You must bring back Swintown!!!! I watch the whole season in two days. I was moving last summer so I missed it. So glad I got to watch in on Netflix. Don’t leave all the fans hanging.