It’s not everyday that a canceled television show is resurrected by another network, but such is the case with BET’s hit sitcom The Game. After three glorious seasons on The CW, the Girlfriends spinoff came to an abrupt end when the network pulled the plug in 2009. Fans, including myself, rejoiced when BET stepped in, however after two new seasons in which The Game was practically retooled into a depressing drama, fans are starting to cry foul.
And perhaps the cast as well.
It’s recently been reported that two of the show’s main leads — Tia Mowry Hardrict and Pooch Hall — are leaving the sitcom for good. As football couple Melanie and Derwin, they were undoubtedly the show’s foundation, and, in my opinion, the heart as well. Melanie also provided the one connection to Girlfriends in that she was the cousin of that program’s main protagonist. Without these two pivotal characters, I shudder to think what may become of the sitcom which was just picked up for a sixth season. What’s worse is that this news comes a year after Brittany Daniel, who as happy go lucky Kelly Pitts was my favorite, departed last season.
So, what the heck is going to happen to The Game?
Now, there’s a question worth asking. Here’s another one — is the show worth saving? In one of my previous installments of Clacking in Color, I praised actress Wendy Raquel Robinson for her wit and comedic timing. However, as loud mouth Tasha Mack, I’m not so convinced that she can carry the show on her own.
Look, I don’t want to slam BET. After all, they did take the liberty to step in and save the show. You have to give credit where credit is due. However — you knew that was coming, right? — I feel as though they dropped the ball in some areas. I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. Some say that Hardrict was fired. Others claim she simply didn’t renew her contract. The fact of the matter is that both Hardrict and Hall are keeping mum about the details. Heck, maybe they should. After all, it isn’t any of our business.
Still, one can’t help but be curious. I read somewhere that BET is trying to get Daniel back to help save the show. I’m all for that, but going into the sixth season, I feel that The Game could definitely be revamped. Let’s focus on the comedy just a bit more. Go ahead and make Tasha the sitcom’s main protagonist. You may as well. However, tone her down just a little bit. Try to get Coby Bell, who portrays frugal Jason Pitts, full time. Promote the character Tee-Tee to a starring role. Give him a hilarious love interest with a connection to football. And for the love of God, please find the original actress who portrayed Britt-Bratt.
These are just my ideas. Ultimately it’s up to BET to step in and do what they want. I’m not sure what they have planned, but I’m damn sure interested in finding out. Perchance it would be wise to stay optimistic. After all, three of the original cast members are slated to return next season. As long as the network can keep things fresh and add genuine comedy, I feel the show can survive this new hurdle.
If not, then, well, I guess that means game over.
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on May 22, 2012 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
Um, quite frankly, the show should be cancelled with the news of both Tia and Pooch leaving and honestly, I don’t think they were fired. I think they simply did not renew their contracts. But that’s just my opinion. Why would you write off two of the main characters and expect the show to stand while keeing its loyal fans, with the few they have left after the dramatic transition? And to make Tasha Mack the lead starring character is not a great idea. Let’s be real…shes a bit…dare I say, old to keep The Game’s younger audience. Mel And Derwin were the youthful couple that kept younger audiences and the show started on the CW–a network that thrived on teenage to college viewers. That target audience didn’t change with BET. The Game is too drama filled, sex-driven and Maury-inspired to capture say the likes of my parents or even my sister. Heck, it doesn’t even get my attention anymore. Cancel the show and move on. Don’t drag it on. Write Mel and Derwin off and give everyone else a happy ending. Great post, BTW. :-)
*POST AUTHOR*
Those are some pretty profound words, Matt. I understand where you are coming from though. I’d hate for the show to end on such a bad note though. It would be so abrupt. Instead of just canceling it, why not do a two hour made-for-TV movie to just wrap everything up? I could work with that.
The news of Tia and Pooch’s leaving the show is the first I’ve heard about “The Game” in a long time. I lost my interest in the show months ago.
I have no idea how the show will survive without its main characters, but I hope that BET can think of something.
I’m watching The Game out of obligation now. I hope Pooch and Tia can find other (prominent) acting work after The Game, but it isn’t likely. BET really knows how to mess up a show LOL. Seriously, BET can do anything they want with this show and African Americans will still watch since the TV landscape is bereft of black shows.
*POST AUTHOR*
I think most people are watching out of obligation to be honest with you. And yes, isn’t it sad that we, as African-Americans, are so starved for television shows with our faces that we’ll just take anything? Hopefully something better will come along. I don’t see Tia having a problem landing another gig…but I am a little worried about Pooch. Still, he did land in “Jumping the Broom,” so perhaps he’ll be fine as well. Hopefully BET will get it together…hopefully.
I am so not happy that pooch and tia are leaving the game, i love watching the game. Being they are leaving the show then the show will show no interest.
The Game is not the show it once was. I do not watch it anymore. I tried to support the show by watching it a few times. Unfortunately, I lost interest. Tasha Mack is too loud and she was a better character on The CW. I don’t think the show will survive without Melanie and Derwin. Too many actors have left and now there will only be three remaining. I applaud BET for trying to salvage the show but now……the game is over!!!
*POST AUTHOR*
Let’s not rule BET out just yet. The fans have spoken. If the network is smart then they’ll try to appease their audience. We’ll see what happens. And yes, I do believe that Tasha Mack was a better fit on The CW than she is on BET.
BET completely destroyed “The Game”. Why in the world would you not sign Melanie and Derwin for Season 6? That’s absolutely nuts. I knew BET couldn’t handle this show. The only person who can carry this show is Tasha and no offense but she getting up there in age. They need some new blood to carry the show if they trying to make this work. Someone needs to pull the plug on the entire channel. Remember, this is the same network who didn’t broadcast Coretta Scott King’s funeral but every other major network did. BET is the worst of the worst. I don’t mind watching TVOne for my black entertainment.
*POST AUTHOR*
JT, I must agree with you in regards to TVOne. That’s a great channel that offers some good classic African-American sitcoms! It’s a wonder that BET doesn’t emulate the same formula. I can’t imagine why they haven’t tried. Keep in mind that we don’t know whether or not BET didn’t sign Pooch and Tia. For all we know, they could have chosen to leave, and despite Wendy Raquel Robinson’s age — she ain’t that old, ya know — I have confidence in her abilities to carry the show…if she’s given the right material of course. :-)
I didn’t realize that Tia and Pooch were leaving, to me, they make the show. Anyway….the show has gotten so ghetto lately wherein it use to be a family oriented show. I’d hate to see The Game go but I’m sure I could find something to fill the Tuesday night slot.
Good article Jaylen!
Jaylen,
Wendy Raquel Robinson is not that old but they need someone younger in a lead role. Tia and Pooch was on Sway in the morning and Tia was stuttering like crazy about her contract not being signed for Season 6. And Pooch was on there talking about Tia not being on “The Game” for season 6 does not make any sense. In other words, BET didn’t want to cough up the dollars. So they wanted to stay but BET is too cheap to pay them.
*POST AUTHOR*
Now, if that’s true then that is pretty damn sad. I wonder how much the two of them were being paid. I don’t know whether or not BET has enough money to dish out like that. Heck, I’m just as confused as everyone else…but what I do know is that they have a predicament on their hands. It pains me to say it, but maybe they should just end the show. This is getting pretty crazy.
GAME OVER!!!! Without Pooch and Tia, there is no show. I can not quite put my finger on it but the show has not been the same since it aired on BET. I guess I am one of the ones that continued to watch it out of obligation and the hope that it was going to get better. Seems the characters have no substance to them anymore. They are all in one drama after the other and all about self. The writers seem to be all over the place unlike previous seasons when “The Game” had a story line; a great one at that. Now I get confused watching and frankly a little bored with the shows predictability. Brandi, I love her musically but she was not a good fit for this show and Jason not realizing he was black (come on!). The game has become nothing more than a hot ghetto mess. Although I hate to say it, I think its GAME OVER! The writers should end the show on a good note, Mel and D have a baby, Tasha gets a man, Jason and Kelli get back together and raise Britt, not sure about Malik and Tee Tee but something decent for them as well. I just can’t believe that after all of the petitioning for the shows renewal, this is what we got! :(
*POST AUTHOR*
There are a lot of fans that are disappointed by this news. I’m really interested to see how BET handles the situation. Where can they possibly go with the show? Yes, I think the common consensus has always been that The Game was better on The CW. I respect BET for saving the show, but I don’t like the direction that they took it in. You have a right to be disappointed. I liked your scenario about ending the show on a good note. I like happy endings, and with as much drama as these characters have been through, I feel that they can all use one. :-)
Jaylen
BET did only 2 things right here: 1- BET showed the reruns of the old seasons and opened the show to a new audience. 2- BET picked up the show again after cancellation. After that, its been a train wreck. Its a complete bore. How about going back to the sitcom format and making the show funny again? That’s a way for BET to redeem themselves.
*POST AUTHOR*
It’s certainly good to give credit where credit is due. As I mentioned in my column, BET definitely deserves props for renewing interest in the show, but like you said — it’s been a bit of a train wreck. I like the idea of going back to sitcom format, but I feel as though the damage has now been done. It may be too little, too late. Here’s something for you to ponder… how do you think the show would have been had USA Network or TBS picked it up instead of BET? Hmmm…
Jaylen,
Totally agree, the damage has been done. But since they put us through this train wreck, they should come back for one more season with laughs (sitcom format). The show would have been much better if it were on any other network besides BET. I’ll watch the season finale tomorrow out of respect but season 6 is very iffy for me.
*POST AUTHOR*
Indeed. Here’s hoping the finale is decent! JT, it’s been a pleasure chatting with you! Keep reading ‘Clacking in Color!’ Also, remember Mehcad Brooks? He played Jerome in the earlier CW seasons. Anyway, you should see what he’s up to now in my latest column — https://cliqueclack.com/tv/2012/06/05/mehcad-brooks-necessary-roughness/ Thanks again! :-)