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 can not believe that this show is not coming back, and crap like 90210 is. please bring it back.
I’ve watched it online and I watched the marathon on Bravo, I love this show…. With all the stupid reality shows on TV, there are very few shows I’m committed to watching these days but this would be one I would watch over and over. Please bring it back.
Swingtown needs to be brought back-it is a great show with great charactors. It wasnt given enough air time for more people to become to become aware of the show. Please dont leave us hanging I want to know what becomes of everyone! Bring back SWINGTOWN!!!!!!!!! I loved the 70’s format.
If I see one more reality tv show I am going to throwup people this was a time in the 70’s that is truly shown on tv and the correct way I loved it and I can not believe that there are people out there that can say what we can or can not watch I am tired of being dictated to it is time that cbs and bravo showtime and hbo know how we feel if we do not let the people know how we feel they will just keep putting the same crap on tv and I agree… Read more »
We need Swingtown back! I am tired of the TV shows that are for teenagers we adults need something to! I watched Swingtown everytime it was on and now I am watching the re-runs on Bravo! I am ashamed of CBS! Please bring season two to tv!!!!
I watched mesmerized by this awesome show on BRAVO all day. I had never seen it or heard of it, but I can’t believe that there will be no more episodes. Why can’t we have TV for those of us in our 40’s and 50’s? Why are all of these “junk” shows on TV and why can’t the execs who make the decisions to cancel a show give a show a chance to “cultivate” an audience. Haven’t they learned from other “near cancellations” in the past that ended up being icons (Cheer’s and MASH were headed for the chopping block… Read more »
We loved swingtown and all the music bring it back !!!!!1
swingtown is an awesome show!! there is so much crap on tv and finally they bring us this show and they cancel it!! that’s horrible. please someone bring it back, there is nothing on tv anymore worth watching
I just watched the Swingtown marathon on Bravo today. WOW!!! I’m hooked. I loved it. Please BRAVO or anyone, bring back Season 2!!! A show like this one is so much more real than all the other superficial shows out there. PLEEEAASSE someone produce next season. I will definately watch it and promote it with friends and family!
I have been waiting for this show to come back. I absolutely enjoyed it. I recorded it every week to make sure I watched every single episode. At first I didn’t think it was going to be good…but I was wrong, it is an excellent show. I think this show would be perfect for cable—especially because of the subject manner. They could push it to the limits even further if it is on cable. I really hope this show is not canceled. I especially love the music! I have a fascination with the 70’s & really think this show should… Read more »
It was one of the few nights we were able to have together and watch a show we both absolutly loved!! Its a great series and the actors were awesome……..PLEASE…BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!
Bravo should continue to make new episodes of Swingtown as Webisodes on the internet.
Swingtown is/was a great show. I could not miss it. And just finished watching the marathon on Bravo, HOPING the were going to announce a 2nd season coming soon. PLEASE, you have to, the characters are great and those of us who are fans need to know what next adventure are coming. I lived the 70’s experience and it was great, and the writers “BRAVO” you could not have done a better job depicting what was happening then. THE MUSIC WAS THE BEST and brings back a lot of memories which has prompted me to contact a lot of old… Read more »
Man I love Swingtown so much I can’t believe it’s not coming back. Moving the show to Friday was a definite death sentence. With the mindless dribble that is reality tv this show gave me something to anticipate each week. It’s too bad reality crap prospers and great shows like this get thrown under the bus. CBS is crazy, think of the possibilities Swingtown could have on Showtime it could have stood right up there with Weeds, Dexter, Californication, and so on. It’s too bad BRING IT BACK!!
I caught the entire series of season 1 on Bravo tonight. I LOVE this show! Someone has got to pick it up for a second season.