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! 
We love swingtown and would love to see the show come back.Hopefully HBO would pick it up .It was the best tv last summer…
I am hoping that one day someone will produce and release a finale episode of SwingTown. I, and all of the other dedicated watcher deserve to see a final show to wrap up the 1st and only season. I bought the 1st season hoping that their would be something to let me know what happen after the 13th episode, but nothing. I am hunted by the fact that I don’t know what happened next. This was a horrible way to take a show off the air. To just leave everyone hanging….forever! Let’s be considerate of others and close the show… Read more »
oh my gosh…. i thought this was one of those summer only series to keep us hooked until the fall. and i thought wow!!! they finally figured it out, you have to find a show that will keep the audience during the summer so when fall comes there fall most of the year seasons will just be hey i like the summer i am sure i will like the fall. i have been waiting all year just for the summer season to find out what will happen next on swingtown. is there any way to keep it going? any possibility?… Read more »
The show was excellent. The 70’s era was cool. I enjoyed the old music and clothes. Additionally, the characters and the family dynamics were thought provoking. Watching the kids go through their self discovery as the parents do the same was hilarious. I sure hope this series is continued.
Wow, we LOVED this show! There was true potential for this to be a long running series, not unlike Melrose Place. It had people talking, discussing life styles and choices, and even “old” times. Everyone that I know is so tired of reality TV or Murder/Violence shows. How many times can you stand to watch CSI, or Law & Order. Disappointed to see this cancelled.
can anyone know tell me, are they bring it back?????? ive got all of last season!!!! do i think it should be on cbs no!!!! but if they can play sex n the city, OZ!!!!! why not this?
Please bring back Season 2. It was my favorite show last year! If they can’t bring it back they should at least present a finale to wrap up everything.
Bring it back… Love the show.
I’m with Brenda…moronic reality shows get to stay on air, while brilliant shows are canceled. Swingtown was awesome, and I couldn’t wait to see each new episode. Please. Bravo, produce seasons 2 and beyond!
OMG I loved this show, I can’t beleive they won’t do a season 2!!!!
I miss Swingtown! It was one of my favorite shows! Please come back.
Shows like “Rock of Love” and “Flavor of Love” get multiple seasons, and the ones with real entertainment value get axed. It’s really very sad.
They should at lest produce one final episode to wrap up all the story lines .
Yet another well-written, relevant and enjoyable show goes off-air. I wish networks had programing geared to intelligent people-regardless of the fact they are are minority.
BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!AWESOME SHOW!!!!!