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! 
I am very disappointed to hear swingtown is not coming back. I loved this show and so did my mom. We couldn’t wait to get on the phone and talk about it. CBS just can’t recognize good tv. I really hope another network can see the potential and bring it back.
I am soooo freaking mad!!! I LOVEDDDDD this show and have been WAITING for Season 2! Boo CBS! You SUCK!!
ENJOYED IT….
I love that show!!!!!!!!!!!!! bring it back!
I enjoyed this show so much. It was so different from everything else on TV. I also was addicted and my friends were beginning to watch it too. Each week seemed to pull me in and I couldn’t wait til the following Friday. I see aspects of the personalities in people I know today. It’s great. This is one show I couldn’t wait for the next season.
I wasn’t even born until after the 70s…so i cant relate. i liked it because its different. it lets you see how other people live. please please please bring it back. it was so interesting.
Please please bring swingtown back for another season. It’s a fresh breath of air from the 70s. So many of todays good shows are getting cancelled and us viewers love swingtiwn so much that WE WANT AND HAVE TO HAVE ANSWERS! Stop with all the suspense and some network pick this awesome show up. Give us answers, give us season 2. Please………….
i loved swingtown i was so addicted to it it was very interesting please bring it back my friends and i even stayed home from going out just to watch it i was very upset to find out that there would not be a second season it was the best show there has been in a long time
I absolutely loved this show and my now husband and I were faithful viewers! It was tragic when they pulled the show! All the good shows seem to get pulled and the horrible boring ones stay forever! What ever happened to “viewer ratings” determining whether a show stays or goes???
I know what you mean Marcia….all the storylines that we won’t know what happens! I loved that show and watched every episode! Bravo please bring it back!!!
Es una serie de lo mejor,,nos encanta porque muestra el estilo de vida swinger de un punto de vista muy interesante,,,somos una pareja swinger que vive feliz ,nos amamos y nos encanta que la gente conosca un poco mas de este estilo de vida,,es algo muy unteresante,,une mucho a las parejas,no tenemos tabus,,y el indice de infidelidad en este ambiente es minimo comparado con las parejas comunes,,esta serie es de lo mejor,,esperabamos durara mas episodios,,pero bueno,,no fue asi,,,esperamos con muchas ganas la segunda temporada,,y si son mas,,mucho mejor,,salu2,,,esperamos se logre pronto ….
i was so addicted to this show and everything major happened in the last couple shows and then they just canceled it……so wut will happen of the pregnancy and their livstyle because of it and what will happen to the main couple will they get divorced.it makes me so upset
They are DUMB to cancel this show just like they were to cancel Twin Peaks back in the day! Anyone else LOVE the drama and mystery with Laura Palmer? I loved that show and I loved Swingtown as well.!!!!
“SWINGTOWN” needs to be brought back!!!! I became sooo addicted to this show, and as with everything else that is good……some lame @#* executive has to pull the show!! Even though I was only 16 in 1976 (when the show takes place), I can still relate to these characters. And the songs really take me back!! This was a GREAT show, and I hope that someone will realize this and bring it back. I don’t care what network picks it up or what time of day or night it comes on …..( I will set my DVR if necessary), JUST… Read more »
I loved this show it was sooo good u need to bring it back !! Fine it was questionable , but there are other shows on air that are too, CBC’s Tuturs ummm hello boobs and sex almost everytime its on. Swingtown needs to come back WE love it and miss it.
swingtown was a nice little break from other not so great shows , that are still on the air after yrs of sucking lol
Please …