To very little surprise, the CW has cancelled one of its few remaining sitcoms, The Game. Is this the end for the series or could it still return?
Created by Mara Brock Akil, The Game began as a spin-off of Akil’s 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, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson.
The first sitcom to debut on the CW network, The Game averaged 2.3 million viewers in season one. For season two, the ratings dropped to 2.07 million and a .96 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This season, it’s fallen to an average of 1.68 million viewers and a tiny 0.7 rating in the demo, in part because it was given a Friday night timeslot.
The CW is essentially getting out of the sitcom business and has cancelled The Game after 64 episodes. There had been talks about changing the show’s format to an hour-long dramady, to make it more compatible with the network’s other programming. That was seen as a long-shot at best and actually would have created its own set of challenges for syndication.
Though The Game only has 64 episodes, BET recently signed a syndication deal to air the first two seasons and season three will be added this Fall. To increase the show’s number of episodes, there have been discussions between the cable channel and CBS (the show’s studio) about co-funding original episodes. The deal would likely come with some cost-cutting measures.
There’s been no further word on the potential deal with BET so, as of right now, “The Wedding Episode” is the series’ last.
If The Game isn’t rescued from cancellation, are you satisfied with the way the sitcom ended — with Melanie and Derwin finally getting married?
Image courtesy CW.
I love The Game. Mostly because the characters are so real. Wendy R Robinson is absolutey authentic and bougie or not Melanie’s character had an authentic response to Derwin’s infidelity. When I watch this show I feel like I know these people. Sad to see them go.
Shirley V.
I’m so disappointed that the show has been reduced to reruns. I love love that show but hate they cancelled it. O well I won’t b watching the cw network again. Bring back the show and ill watch again.
i loved the game since the first season even thought they changed it to fridays i still watched i hope the CW change their mind or BET pick it up it got better each season. If it had more tiime and had more puclicity it could grow and everyone would know how great of a show it is.
Boo! If that’s the decision of the crappy CW, then there’s no reason for me to continue watching their network. I’ve had enough of these networks getting rid of great shows and putting this reality junk on instead. The Game has substance and an outstanding cast! I, and others like me, can only hope that BET or CBS make due with what they started. Crossing my fingers for season four.
I love the game. The time slot was horrible and it didn’t get nearly enough publicity but the sitcom deserves more time. It probably wouldn’t hurt to change the network it airs on. I almost never watch the CW since Girlfriends went off. I really think it would be in BET’s best interest to put some money behind this sitcom. It really does have a positive message.
It will TRULY!!!!!!! be messed up and missed it The Game went off the air, because this is the only sitcom that I watch. The network has already taken Girlfriends of the air (for obvious reasons), but The Game is in a league of its own compared to the nonsense on TV nowadays. I’m a reality buff, but I have always loved this show as it closely deals with real events (so I believe it’s “scripted” reality with the various scenarios taking place, especially in the African American culture). i think the problem lies in the airing day. It took… Read more »
I am sooooo MAD that The Game got cancelled. It is my fav show to watch. Why did they change the show to Friday night. You dont see shows like 90210, gossip girl, or even one tree hill on friday. I think that the cw meant for the game to be cancelled. But the question is why. First they cancel all of us, girlfriends, and now The Game and everybody hates chris ( i heard). All of these black sitcoms are being cancelled by this network. Some of the most stupidest shows on the cw are still airing. I am… Read more »
I am so not happy with the ending. the wedding was cool and all. But I want to see how girlMelanie deals with the baby, if kellie and jason are really gonna get a divorce ( they each were trying so hard, but never at the same time), if tasha and kellie can forget thier differences and be friends again. And if Tasha can stop the ghetto stuff long enough to have meaningful relationships, with men and women.
I reallyloved “The Game” i think it was one of the few good shows left. I followed it from Monday (which was the best day) to Friday, I even watched it on Sunday’s when it replayed the previous show. This was my primetime soap. Please don’t cancell it. We need to know how the marriage and the new baby works for Melanie and Derwin, and what happens with Rick and Tasha and will Malik ever settle down. I want to see Kelly and Jason work their problems out. Bring back “The Game”.
I LOOKED FORWARD TO WATCHING THE SHOW EVERY WEEK. I RECORD EVERY EPISODE. IT IS VERY ENTERTAIN, THAT’S RARE THESE DAYS. PLEASE KEEP IT GOING. THE FINALE WASN’T AN APPROPIATE ENDING FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE SHOW. CHANGE THE TIME SLOT FOR WHEN IT AIRS. THAT’S WHAT HURTING THE RATINGS.
I am heart broken that The Game is canceled. I hope it comes back I think they could’ve done a lot more with the show. And to be honest I’m still trying to catch up. I was hoping it was out on DVD. But it is truly a shame that they took it off the air and I hope that changes. A so a better day I. Think would be like Wednesdays like between 8 and 9 I think the ratings would be thru the roof.
Times are hard enough now days dont take one of the few good enjoyable things left out there away.
i want to see more!!!!!! I hate that kelly and jason didnt get back together!! please keep the show going!!!
I LOVE THE GAME ITS THE BEST SHOW ON TV AND WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT DONT CANCEL IT
I also loved the Game and I think it brings opportunity to highlight successful and unsuccessful relationships in the sports arena. It’s fresh, hip and spans a varied demographic. I did have to T-VO it though because the Friday time slot was horrible. They may need to work on a better time – this time is reserved for family in my home and the children can’t watch it.