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.
I find it hard to believe that the network is considering cancelling The Game. It is appealing to a whole new generation. Until last season it was not very well marketed. There were no TV Talk show appearances by the cast to generate interest. Networks has to stop playing these games with shows that target minority audiences and give the show a chance. We really aren’t interested in another reality that exploits urban drama or dyfunctionality or worse…another He’s Not the Father Talk Show!
My whole family been watching the show and it’s very interesting. It’s hard to find a great show to watch and this is one of the best sitcoms that deals with family, sports, etc. We really like the show and its not right to cancel a show that has millions of viewers. Besides we all wanted to see what was going to happen next season. Like for instance, is that really derwin baby and is kelly and jason getting back together as well as is tasha and rick fox going to stay together its alot of questions unasked and its… Read more »
The Game should not be cancelled,maybe they should try switching the time or day. I am a big fan of the show,but I missed a whole season because the time and day conflicted with my work schedule.I now watch The Game on BET every time it comes on, and I need 2 know what’s gonna happen next,u can’t let it end the way it did….pleeeeez don’t cancel,from ur #1 fan
ii realli want The Game to come back. that iis the best show that ii’ve ever seen me and mii best friiend iis so addicted to that show we would watch iit everyday at 12 and 5 duriing the summer on BET.. liike for real ii mean yuh just cant leave the audiience hangiing wiith kelly and tasha friiendshiip reckless, maliik still beiin a player, kelly has jason problems, and merwiin just got marriied..we could at least have hope of seeniin thiings such as: maliik iis at riisk of haviin a baby, melaniie gets pregnant, tasha moves out and iin… Read more »
Are they qoinq to cancel the show!
im like stil waitinq! anyone please update me cuz this is like one of my
favorite shows
I love the game I watch it all the time, I think all the characters are very great actors and I’m dying to see what happens in season 4. Please don’t cancel the game I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
we need a season four i love derwin and would like to see more of the game everybody wants to know about the baby is it really his. bout jason them are they getting back together you just can’t end it like that leaving our heads blank trying to figure whats next pleassssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee let there be season 4 love you derwin sexy self
the game really is a good show, bring it backk for a fourth season!!!!
I love the game please bring it back for a season 4. there is so much more we need to see in that tv show all the drama and excitment that happens in the show we need to see please please please please please bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please do not cancel the game season4. I watch the sitcom all day long
plz plz plz i beg u dont cancel the show…i have to no about kelly and jason and is tasha and kelly going to be cool agian…and what about derwin i wont to see if janae baby was his…and will malik settle down…why guys plz plz dont cancel it man plz….could it be my christmas gift…
Bring it Back. sesaon 4, seaon 4, season 4, season 4
“The Game” is without a doubt one of the best shows on TV. It must be brought back. The combination of actors and mutiple story lines within a episode make the sitcom so entertaining. From Derwin’s lady drama to Malik’s arrogant attitude, the show is a hit. I’m pretty sure that the low ratings had something to do with the fact that it aired on a Friday night. I honestly do not no to many people especially young adults who are at home on a Friday Night. Bring it back, bring it back, bring it back. PLease.
i love the game, there is so much drama that really excits in the real world and its nice to know how to figure it out. and yall cant just leave us hanging with jason and kelly not being back together, and malik girlfriend-less, and melanie and derwin just getting married, what about there honey moon, i wanna see more, please do not cancelle, do season 4.
please put the show back on me in my family look at it all the time on b.e.t we even got the guys to look at it lol so please give the ppl want they want .