CBS uncancels “SWAT” and adds games

Staring into a foggy future, CBS has made some quick shifts.
Today (May 8) it did something rare – uncanceling a show: “SWAT” (shown here) will be back next season, after all; however, another police drama, “East New York,” will not.
That came after recent moves to add two primetime game shows. Both will be produced and hosted by leading-man types – Josh Duhamel and Jaime Camil.
The games seem to be well-timed: The writers strike is expected to be long-term, leaving networks in need of unscripted shows. The cop-show switch, however, was unusual. The details:
— CBS had already said “SWAT” would end its six-season run with the two-parter at 8 p.m. May 12 and 19. That brought anger from star Shemar Moore (right) and from fans; “SWAT” – like the network’s other Friday dramas – had been doing well in the ratings, but costs were going up.
Then came today’s reversal, giving the show a shortened (13-episode) final season. Also, CBS decided “East New York” won’t be back for a second season.
The last new “East New York” episode will be 9 p.m. Sunday (May 14); a week later, that slot will be borrowed for the series-finale of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” ending its 14th season. Losing all three shows – “SWAT,” “East New York” and “NCIS:LA” would have been a blow to the network’s diversity efforts; each has a Black star.
— “Loteria Loca” — hosted and produced by Camil, the former “Jane the Virgin” co-star –is based on the board game Loteria. “I grew up playing Loteria with my family and friends back in Mexico,” Camil said in a press release, claiming: “Every single Mexican family owned, and still owns, a Loteria game.”
— “Buddy Games,” by comparison, is personal project for Duhamel, the former “Las Vegas” star.
He grew up in Minot, N.D., and has maintained a tradition for two decades: Each summer, boyhood friends get together for a game-filled weekend. That will be re-created here, with six teams – each with four longtime friends – living in a lakeside location and doing odd competitions.