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.
Hi plese plese why are u cancelling all the good shows on this network. i dont live in america but i do get a chance to see them on cable and i absolutely love the shows. I do not agree that the game should end with the wedding episode it leaves too many unanswered questions to the viewers. if u want to end please give us at least one more season that answers all our questions and as for everbody hates chris this is a classic show with very good comedy that we can relate to well. PLEASE PLEASE CW.DONT… Read more »
no i am not happy with the show ending with the wedding I was really looking forward to more episodes. I guess what we want just will not happen so if you ask me no I’m not satisfied i want more episodes for 2010. I really know people will watch because they miss the cast and everyone was so real in there own way and you could really relate to them so if you are listening put the show back on the air please and thankyou.
HELL NO! I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY…..I NEED MORE, THIS SHOW IS TOO GOOD. BET FINALLY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO AIR A SHOW WORHT WATCHING. Drop Tiny and Toya and pick up a show that the viewers want and aare asking for. GET on the Ball BET!!
I think a lot of us was dissatisfied on the way the show ended. I would like to know if the baby is really Darwin’s?
I agree with blogger #2. We can’t be left hanging. I need to know about Derwin’s baby. If it is his how is it going to fit into his life now with Melanie being his wife. If it’s not his…why did Janae lie? Tasha and Rick…are they going to get married? Is Jason going to get serious with camille? The show has to continue. I love it!! This is my soap opera. I watch it every weekend on BET…Who cares if they are re-runs.
I hate how they always cancel the good shows. If they know what is best they will bring back the show. You can not leave us hanging like that. I love this show. Every time its comes on I sit down to watch it. I LOVE this SHOW…PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
man i am soooooo not happy. this is like the best show in the world! i wanna see how its gonna be like with derwin having the baby and all, if melanie will ever grow up, if rick and tasha are gonna get back together, will jason and his new “friend” take things to the next level? this cannot be the end of this show. i love this show so much. omg, i will stop doing my homework for this show (just a little while). this show makes me sooo happy! it kinda puts you up on game and has… Read more »
I just watched the marathon on Saturday with the Finale (thanks BET for running it this weekend) and I am so sad that the show may not returning for new episodes. I was telling my daughter that I wished that HBO or Showtime would pick them up, that way they could probably air for the hour the fans are looking for. Excellent show! But rumors say that even if they are picked up again, not all the cast may be returning due to salary negotiation…Still I hope something comes of it and they are picked back up again for a… Read more »
I am not satisfied at all with the wedding episode being the end of the show. I really want to know what happens with all the other characters, and frankly, I don’t like how Melanie married Derwin. This show really needs to be saved from cancellation!!! My sisters and I love this show and we watch all day every time there is a marathon. It makes me sad that the show is over.
No I am not happy with the finale-it wasn’t even a finale. I know grown men who love this show besides the women. And I can’t believe its been cancelled. BET please pick this up -do it for black pride. The show is one of the greatest CW has/had to offered. Supernatural is still great, but Smallville, should have been off long time ago-esp after they stretched the whole Lana and Clark thing for years (it got boring and annoying). And its like get to the pt already. Newayz The game- gave you that nice family entertainment that most shows… Read more »
Shay, I totally agree! Being a white girl from the south, even I can see that this show is being shut out and I hate to say it but it looks like the reason is because it’s a predominately African American cast. I looked up all the shows on the CW and they all look BORING and there are no shows with a predominately African American cast. I have just started watching “The Game” this weekend only by a fluke. I was switching through the channels because nothing was on and I was instantly hooked. BET apparently had a marathon… Read more »
I agree with everyone. Its unfair to end the show. Now what will African Americans have to relate to in a show? I loved this show and was happy to see Melanie and Derwin to finally hook up. I’m optimistic Kelly and Jason will reunite their love.
I think the ratings would increase if it the show went from 30 minutes to an hour, and on a different day. Fridays, Sundays, just don’t work. You know some people go out on weekends. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday is probably a better time to air this show.
Bring back our show! PLEASE.:-)
no im not going to be satisfied the shows was getting even better you cant cancel the game all your fans will be very disappointed
Y would they cancel the show it’s the best I love the whole gang
Not happy at all. Why all the good shows get canceled? Somebody call Oprah!!