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.
TONIGHTS SHOW WAS SO GOOD…I’M HAPPY THE MEL AND DERWIN ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE!!!!
I found out that was John Legend. The title of the song is THIS TIME. It is FANTASTIC
I ned to know the name of the song sang the last 10 minutes of the finale when Derwin & mel finally married. It seemed as thoug the title was THIS TIME. It was sung by a male. This song was BEAUTIFUL. Can someone help?
I sooooo love the game please dont take the show off,they took girlfriends away now the game i will be so disappointed again, l love jason pitts!!!!!!!!
I love this show, didn’t start watching until it came on BET. Now I love it and look forward to seeing the new shows on friday. Please don’t cancel the show, it is really the only new black show that is still around without reruns every week.
I LOVE “THE GAME”!!!!!! This show is sooooo good! Derwin and Melanie are so perfect, I cry everytime i watch them together. I think the show should be aired mid-week instead of Friday because alot of people are out but I will continue to watch anyhow! Please keep this going, its getting better and better as it goes! KUDOS!
I reallyt Love this show I have been watching it for a while now (since it first aired) I would be truly heart beoken if this show left the air seeing as though this is the only show that I get to watch because my two year old hogs the tv for sponge bob. Please Please dont cancelled the game it is my only time to unwind and get into a good show. Signed a fan of the game
I finally find a good funny show with black actors and then it might be cancelled?!! Please Let the Game continue. I have watched this show wanting more each time it goes off waiting for the next episode. The characters, story lines and overall vibe of the show is WONDERFUL. Love that Tasha Mack!
I think that The Game should continue to play. I have found myself popping in front of the t.v. every friday night. I lost track of the show when it switched to different nights but since I am back on it and following it please let it stay. The Game is really the only black sitcom that we have going now. I would really like for BET to play some new episodes besides the ones they have been playing over again. But to my surprise I always find myself looking at the repeats. The Game is just good like that.
The Game has been a part of my life since the first season…I have followed the show closely and would be very disappointed to find that the Game is canceled. The fact that these folks write good material for folks to enjoy and then other folks decide to cancel the show…..Wow than what I would do on Friday night. 🙁 Plus Derwin is HOT 🙂
I LOVE ‘THE GAME”. PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL MY FAVORITE SHOW. IT HAS TO BE THE BEST SHOW ON THE AIR. I WATCH THE GAME FAITHLLY SINCE THE FIRST SHOW. I ABSOUTLY LOVE IT. PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO KEEP NEW SHOWS COMING.
pls do not cancel the show. IF you move the time slot, I promise the ratings will go up. It would be the highest rating show on the network.
Please do not cancel the show. When I was deployed I had people record the episodes and send it to me. I love this show. I am just now able to catch back up with the story. LOVE IT!!!
The Game is the best show that has comedy, drama, and most important football! Not only does it need to stay on the air but it should of been an hour long show in the first place. The Game needs to stay on the CW because every other show on the CW is not worth watching, and if you switch it to bet than they will just bleep some of the dialoge out.
Please don’t cancel The Game. I love this show. As of right now, this is my favorite show to watch. I look forward to friday nights only because I know The Game will be coming on. Once again, PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THE SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!