While CBS might have reversed its decision to cancel SWAT in the past, it seems that the network has absolutely no regrets at all about cancelling the show this time for good.
During a press event timed to the network’s annual upfront events, CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach was asked about the network’s shocking cancellations, which included SWAT, FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, and The Equalizer. In the conversation, Reisenbach was asked whether the network would reconsider the cancellation of SWAT again, and her response was brutal. According to Deadline’s original report, Reisenbach responded with a simple “No” and then laughed. Note: Deadline has since updated its original report to remove mention of Reisenbach laughing off the idea.
Regardless of the intent, it’s brutal to laugh off the idea of saving a show that has given the network eight incredible seasons and been a strong performer during its run. The question of whether reversing the decision to end SWAT is in no way outlandish, as it was CBS who canceled SWAT after season 6, only to quickly reverse that decision and order what was billed as a seventh and final season. Then, just as we reached the finish line, CBS chose to reverse the cancellation again by ordering season 8.
With all this back and forth, it’s reasonable that the fans and cast would both do everything they could to try to make CBS reconsider their decision to end the show. And no one can say the cast has not fought hard to try to keep the show going.
From the moment word broke that SWAT had been canceled, star Shemar Moore quickly began to rally the fans and pick up his sword to race into battle once more. Moore and his costars have been incredibly vocal about wanting to continue the show and see it live to fight another day, as have the show’s millions of fans, who have signed petitions and actively taken to social media to try to get CBS to reconsider the decision to end SWAT.
No one can say that a valiant fight was not put up, and it's the passion of the cast and fans that helped the show make it to season 8. Had fans not shown up after the show’s original cancellation, we likely never would have seen a seventh season. Those same fans showed up across what should have been its final season, resulting in strong ratings that led CBS to order an extended 22-episode eighth season.
After all this show and its fans have been through, SWAT deserved to get a proper send-off in the form of a proper and official final season. Instead, we’re going to have to see how season 8 closes out and hope that the writers didn’t end with too many loose ends, given the season 8 finale is widely expected to be the show’s official series finale.
The series finale will air as part of a two-episode finale event airing on Friday, May 16. In the episode, Hono and 20-Squad will suit up for their final mission, one which will see the SWAT Headquarters come under attack by a group of ex-pat Russian mercenaries looking to help free their leader. It’s an episode that promises to bring fans an amazing final case, but we’re hoping it also brings some proper conclusions to 20-Squad’s storylines before the credits roll!