Malik Yusef: Blowing Money Fast
Something some hope wouldn't have happened eventually did: 'The Game' will not be returning to The CW's fall line-up.A roll-out of three year old network's new shows were unveiled May 21 at Madison Square Garden and the popular urban sitcom – created by 'Girlfriends' producer Mara Brock Akil -- didn't make the cut.
A groundswell of support via a grassroots Internet campaign didn't help the three-year old show, which revolved around the lives of professional football players and the women who loved them.
Starring Tia Mowry, Pooch Hall, Wendy Racquel Robinson, Kobe Bell, Hosea Chanchez and Brittany Daniel, 'The Game' originated as a spin-off of the Kelsey Grammer-produced 'Girlfriends' and served as a launching pad for the network, which is helmed by Dawn Ostroff.
Players of The Game'
The cast of 'The Game' include (clockwise from top) Tia Mowry, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chanchez , Pooch Hall, Coby Bell and Brittany Daniel. (Photo: The CW)
As rookie football player Derwin Davis and medical school student Melanie Daniel, Pooch Hall and Tia Mowry have become a favorite couple in prime time television. (Photo: The CW)
Tia Mowry plays medical school student Melanie Barnett on The CW series 'The Game.' (Photo: The CW)
Pooch Hall plays Derwin Davis on the Mara Brock Akil-created series 'The Game.' (Photo: RegginRazzi)
Hosea Chanchez plays bad boy quarterback Malik Wright on 'The Game.' (Photo: RegginRazzi)
Wendy Raquel Robinson plays Tasha Mack, a fast-talking, no-holds-barred "momager" on 'The Game.' (Photo: RegginRazzi)
Coby Bell plays chintzy team captain Jason Pitts on 'The Game.' (Photo: RegginRazzi)
Brittany Daniel (center) plays the bubbly athlete's wife Kelly Pitts on 'The Game.' (Photo: The CW)
Wendy Raquel Robinson and former NBA star Rick Fox chum it up on the set of 'The Game' on April 28, 2008. (Photo: RegginRazzi)
Maybe some viewers.
The other African American-targeted sitcom 'Everybody Hates Chris' won't be returning in the fall either.
The fifth broadcast television network will not program on Sunday nights and has cast aside all comedy in favor of scripted dramas with female appeal and 'America's Next Top Model.'
Mowry, one of the more recognizable stars of the show, was saddened by the news today and thanked her fans via her Facebook page. "Life is so funny. But what is in the dark ALWAYS come to light," she added after making mention of "pathological liars."
Chanchez commented on his: "I thank those of you who helped us to shine for three years. I'm sad but determined to continue to fly high and prosper."
Comments: (318)
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By: lighteyes214 on 5/24/2009 4:15PM
I am also very sad about the show not being picked up!!! I hope BET will pick up it!! BV do you have any news on this?? I don't care about the race card and the show being the "last black" show on the planet. It was an example of another GOOD show being cut short. But then again if WE don't stick up for our own how can we expect others to do it? BET should feel obligated to pick up the show. It's a quality show produced by one of America's foremost talents. (Mara Brock Akil)
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By: very sad on 5/27/2009 2:33PM
Im saddened by this turn of events. Its just another example for the lack of concern these stations have for their black viewers. I loved this show and so did all of my friends. BET does show the older episodes. I will not be watching the CW anymore.
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By: Amber on 5/24/2009 8:33PM
The Game was such a well-written show with great actors/actresses. I have had enough of the CW canceling black sitcoms without proper cause. It's just disrespectful to the viewers who faithfullly invest their time into watching their shows. Nonetheless, I wish the entire cast of The Game good luck in their future endeavors. As for the CW, well they just lost an avid fan.
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By: Sharon on 5/24/2009 10:16PM
Im done with the CW there is only one show left on THERE network The Game was well written and the cast cannot say enough about them im 55 years old and we did not have a lot of shows as it was but I see the same pattern starting up again
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By: Sharon on 5/24/2009 10:21PM
I see where the cw bringing back melrose place need I say more
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By: Joan on 5/25/2009 7:19AM
Yep, just like them to get rid of all the black shows then expect black people to watch all the white shows. Half of them are corny any way. I don't blame them if they don't EVER watch that network again. It's sad.
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By: JOE NETTLES on 5/25/2009 9:03AM
I LOVE THE GAME AND I KNOIW ALOT'S OF PEOPLES LOVE IT ALSO IT'S ABOUT BLACK PEOPLES SO I HOPE THAT A NETWORK WILL PICK THEM UP AND B.E.T. YOU CALL YOUSELP THE BLACK NETWORK SO LET SEE YOU PICK THE SHOW UP IF NOT JUST TAKE OFF THE B AND CALL YOURSELP E.T.
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By: TG on 5/25/2009 12:39PM
I'm very disappointed that the Game is not returning. The Game was one of the few shows I watched on network TV. Best wishes to the cast and creative crew. Keep your heads up Be Blessed!
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By: Sunshine Mess on 5/25/2009 2:24PM
Well do take notice how the “networks” work. They start the shows (and of course we tuning in to see our people) and one gets comfortable watching the show.. right, then all of a sudden you turn on the T.V to watch your show and its replaced with Gossip Girl or some other show to help remind one of what one supposedly should be seeking after in life...and one sits their like what the ..... where is my show... now in the mean time life is still taking place- you know having to take care of the house or the rent man at the door,baby need shows you know life.... and it slips your mind ...so you continue on because God knows you can't sit to long... hell bills got to paid....so you watch B.E.T to get your fix and then suddenly one day you flipping the channel and YOUR SHOW is on ONLY ITS ON....ON A DIFFERENT DAY AND TIME AND GUESS WHAT NO NOTICE TO VIEWERS.... SO RATINGS START TO DROP and some marketing exe. runs to his boss and says look this must be cancelled ratings are low the hell with how you had the Monday nights on lock in the initial time slot. SO we peeping… GAME.... STAY REAL, AND STAY STRONG... HELL WE BUILT FORD TOUGH... MY PEOPLE.....AND SUPPORT MICHAEL VICK !
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By: M.B.A. Bound on 5/25/2009 2:54PM
Oh yeah one more thing.....with the depression in full AFFECT lots of people do not have cable so B.E.T might take a hit in ratings or our other shows T.P as well and with converter boxes you only get local channels thus C.W may become ones only choice for entertainment almost forcing one to lose touch with ones culture IT'S EASY TO FORGET WHEN THE PICTURE IS NOT IN FRONT OF YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS.... one can forget what our people look like, what our people act like, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT/WHERE? OUR PEOLPE COME FROM..... if we are forced to watch others, or watch others imitate real blackness, then seemingly we will be seeing exactly what networks want us to see and be conditioned by their take on life...... know yourself and protect your mind and know your people, your TRUE BLACK PEOLPE...CHECK THE ROOTS if the picture gets to blurry! FEEL ME PEOLPE....WAKE UP AND LOOK BACK!!!
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