The Game: Will the CW Sitcom Survive or Be Cancelled?

Published: April 8, 2009

While it’s looking less and less likely that the CW will renew The Game sitcom for a fourth year, series creator Mara Brock Akil is apparently interesting in changing the show in order to score a renewal. Is it a winning strategy?

The Game is a spin-off of the Girlfriends, the once successful sitcom that ended abruptly last season. Premiering in 2006, The Game revolves around Melanie Barnett (Tia Mowry), a first year medical student who gives up her school plans to follow her professional football playing boyfriend Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall). Others in the cast include Brittany Daniel, Coby Bell, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson.

In its first season, The Game averaged 2.3 million viewers each week. For season two, the ratings dropped to 2.07 million and a .96 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This season, CW execs have stranded the series in a little-watched Friday night timeslot. It’s fallen to an average of 1.68 million viewers and a tiny 0.7 rating in the demo.

Along with fellow sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, The Game hasn’t exactly been a ratings powerhouse. It looks very likely that Chris will be cancelled in May but will have 88 episodes, enough for a syndication run that’s scheduled to start on Nick at Nite this Fall. In contrast, The Game will only have 64 episodes.

A renewal for The Game would create a programming conundrum for the CW. With no other half-hour programs in development, they’d have an orphan half-hour in their timeslot to fill.

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The Hollywood Reporter says that one possible solution would be to turn The Game into an hour-long dramedy. The change wouldn’t be a big stretch since the sitcom doesn’t use a studio audience and already mixes comedy with drama. Akil is expected to pitch the idea to the network sometime this week.

The plan is considered a longshot at best considering The Game’s weak ratings and the fact that it doesn’t mesh well with the network’s upcoming slate of dramas. Switching time formats could also cause a problem in syndication, unless each of the hour episodes could be cut into two 30 minute installments.

If the CW network ultimately passes on renewing The Game, the show could still continue. In February, the BET cable channel signed a syndication deal to air the first three seasons. At the time, Barbara Zaneri, BET’s Executive VP of Acquisitions, told Variety, “This [show] is something I went after the minute I got to BET. Not only does it have really fresh African-American stars, but it has a great lineup of guest stars. People like Robin Givens and Vivica Fox — these are people who are regularly on our network.”

It’s been reported (and Mowry recently confirmed) that BET execs have discussed with CBS the possibility of funding a fourth year. The deal would likely entail some cost-cutting to make the deal affordable for the cable channel but it’s in CBS’ best interests to make it work.

Will the show get some “extra innings” or is The Game over? We’ll likely have to wait until May 21st to find out for sure.

Image courtesy CW.

More about: The Game

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1 tmomma October 26, 2009 at 9:17 pm: i love the game. you guys have to bring this show back. and make it a one hour show. thanks!!
2 Corina Hernandez October 27, 2009 at 2:58 pm: I just want to know if Kelly and Jason get back together….and i want to know how does Melanie handle the relationship with Derwin now that he has a kid on the side!
3 Danya October 27, 2009 at 5:46 pm: I really love “The Game” I loved watch it when it came on and I still watch the rerun episodes. I was really hoping there was going to be a fourth season. If The Game continues on BET Ill be at home watching the new episodes. So I vote The Game continues
4 Patsy - St. Croix, VI October 29, 2009 at 11:05 am: I can’t believe The Game is canceled. I love that show along with Girlfriends as well. The show hits right to home for some of us and the stories comes our with flare. I love that. Its like the mini soaps. The CW was wrong on this one. They needed to take out One Tree Hill if you ask me. I will watch it if it comes out on BET. They need to make a new season so I can see how Mel and my man Derwin lives came out after they got married a not to mention Kelly and that sick husband of her and even him I ended up liking at the end.
5 Netia Baron October 29, 2009 at 1:48 pm: I am voting for Season 4 of “The Game”. I enjoy watching it and hope that the contract is renewed or continues on BET that is with the same actors & actresses. It will not be the same without the original cast members. All of the good shows tend to get cancelled!
6 Mariah T. October 29, 2009 at 2:14 pm: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring the Game back. This show is one of my favorites, so I would really appreciate it if either the CW or BET could bring the show back with a season 4 & the same cast.
7 shereia October 29, 2009 at 8:23 pm: It would be wonderful if the game tv show continued. I really love that show. The game is my favorite show of all time. It’s like a lifetime show. Its so real. I find myself talking to the tv. The show is great if you cancel it you all will be missing out on alot. Please keep THE GAME.
8 briana October 30, 2009 at 8:25 am: i love the show please bring it back i kno i kinda stopped watching it ckuz ive been busy but please just bring it back i wanna know how is derwin and melanie gonna be after the baby is born???!!!!
9 Mrs. Rew October 30, 2009 at 8:30 pm: I think that The Game is one of the best tv show that has came out in sometime and should continue to run. I enjoy watching it and wonder what would I watch if it is canceled. Even though the reruns are great and I would watch them repeatedly I want to continue to see Meanie (Tia) and Derwin (Pooch?) relationship grow without Lenay and see Jason and Kelly get back together and see what happens next. So yes keep it coming and bring back Girlfriends too.
10 kristy November 1, 2009 at 9:37 am: I look fowared to watching the forth season, i think that the writers as well as the cast has given us a great show to watch. I watch the repeats over and over again. I have watched Tia since she been in sister, sister and its amazing how she has become successful. I would hate to see it cancelled and i even wished i was a part of the cast Lol, the new actors give me belief that i can do it too so in closure but start of a new beginning i hope for the best to all of u and may u have more and better episodes to come. With much love and your biggest fan KristyM
11 shelia b November 2, 2009 at 7:18 pm: I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THE GAME WHY WOULD YOU CANCEL THE SHOW IT WAS A GOOD SHOW STILL WATCH THE RERUNS ON BET IT SEEM LIKES ONLY THE AFRICAN AMERICANS SHOWS GET CANCELED AND THEY ALWAYS BRING THOSES CORNEY SHOWS THAT DONT MAKE SINCE
12 keema November 3, 2009 at 4:45 pm: I really enjoyed the show “the game”. It would be amazing if there is a season 4.I would definetly like to see how melanie and derwin work there marriage around the second most important human in his life”his baby boy”…..the show is to good..its something every female or male can relate to. Its everyday life.I’m quite sure this show..help save a lot of relationships….so I’m’ really hoping B.E.T carry on w/ the 4th season