The Game: Has BET Really Made a Deal for Season Four?

See the 4-14-10 update here.

Last May, fans of The CW’s sitcom, The Game, were upset to learn that the sitcom had been cancelled after three seasons on the air. Though there was some resolution in the last episode, it was hardly satisfying enough for devoted viewers. The web has recently been abuzz with news that the show is coming back but can you believe it?

Created by Mara Brock Akil, The Game began as a spin-off of the long-running comedy, Girlfriends. The series centers around a first year medical student (Tia Mowry) who chooses to follow her pro-football boyfriend (Pooch Hall) to San Diego. Others in the cast include Brittany Daniel, Coby Bell, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chanchez, and Barry Floyd.

Even before the show was cancelled by the CW, there was talk about the possibility of Black Entertainment Television (BET) picking up the show for a fourth year. The cable-channel has been playing the sitcom repeats and the show fits in with their other programming.

In July, Mowry told TV Guide, “[BET chairman and CEO] Debra Lee is trying everything and anything to make this happen. The Game gets higher ratings than BET’s original programming, and we’ve heard there would be a huge marketing campaign. So I personally believe the show would be taken to another level.”

Would a reduced budget/cast version of The Game be worth watching? Yes! I love it! Maybe. I'm not sure. No, I don't think so. View Results  Loading ...

Unfortunately, there’s been little word of any real progress since then. Last week, rumors started circulating that a deal had been struck between BET and the show’s studio, CBS Television. Unfortunately, they turned out to be false.

Last night, Mowry put the rumors to rest. Via her Twitter account, she wrote, “I am so sorry to tell you this, this whole THE GAME thing getting picked up is NOT true! After talking to agents lawyers etc it is not true.” A deal may still happen but, for the moment, there isn’t one.

When or if a new deal is made, it remains to be seen how it would work. The contracts for the cast and creatives have lapsed so new ones would have to be negotiated. Because BET has less money to spend, they’d likely have to take pay cuts.

On top of that, some of those involved with the show have also moved on to other projects and may not be available. Hall is working on CBS’ new sitcom Accidentally on Purpose, Mowry has several projects in the works, and Akil is part of ABC’s new Cougar Town comedy with Courteney Cox Arquette.

What do you think? Would a fourth season of The Game be worth watching if the budget had to be cut and not all of the principals were involved?

More about: Accidentally on Purpose, Cougar Town, The Game

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