CBS walked back their cancelation of hit show “S.W.A.T.” only three days after announcing the show was going off the air.
The Shemar-Moore-led police drama was set to air its final episode May 19 when the show’s cancelation was announced. This prompted Moore to post an impassioned video requesting fans “make some fucking noise and let them know that canceling S.W.A.T. is a fucking mistake.” The network has since renewed “S.W.A.T.” for a seventh and final season, according to People Magzine.
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CBS had a very public change of heart and issued a statement to fans to update them on the reversal of their cancelation.
“We have listened to our viewers and their outpouring of passion for S.W.A.T. and we have reached an agreement to renew it for a final season of 13 episodes to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast year,” CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach and Sony Pictures TV Studios president Katherine Pope said in a joint statement, People Magazine reported.
The statement gave a vague explanation of the reasoning behind their decision to continue “S.W.A.T.” for another season.
“S.W.A.T. has aired for six seasons on CBS and garnered a devoted following,” they said.
“We are pleased that we found a way to bring it back and give closure to the show’s storylines and characters, which audiences deserve,” they said, according to People Magazine.
“Once again, we appreciate the talents and efforts of the cast, writers, producers and crew and everyone who has contributed to the success of SWAT. We look forward to its return next season,” the statement concluded.
Moore initially lashed out on social media, clearly upset about the news of the cancelation.
After CBS un-canceled SWAT, the network went ahead and canceled these two shows instead (via @toofab)https://t.co/uBp52wFhRT
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 9, 2023
“It makes no sense,” the 52-year-old actor said.
“We’re the best show on Friday night at 8 o’clock for CBS. The last two years we’ve been killing it. We’ve done nothing wrong. We did everything that was asked for.” (RELATED: The Writers’ Strike Gives Us A Much-Needed Break From Awful Late-Night Talk Shows)
“They said we’re cancelled, but guess what? I don’t think we’re done,” Moore continued. “CBS is either gonna wake up and realize they made a mistake. Sony is gonna do their math and realize that this is not the right move.”
“I still have faith that S.W.A.T. will live to see another day. I don’t know where, I don’t know how,” he added.
It remains unclear if his efforts were the reason behind the reinstatement of the show.