Game On…or Game Over!

Last night was the much anticipated return of the television Dramedy, The Game, which had been off the air for two years. In 2008 the CW network made the decision not to continue production on the popular show, which followed the on and off-field lives of a group of players for the fictitious, San Diego Sabers football team. The show was moved to BET (Black Entertainment Network) where it has replayed in a heavy rotation of about 6 – 8 episodes per day. Fans upset over the cancellation of the show rallied successfully, for its return.

Fast forward to last night’s premiere and viewers were left with a mixed bag of emotions and just too much, too soon. True fans were just happy to see its return, and a vast majority is willing to stick it out to see what becomes of our beloved show. I know when The Game first hit the airwaves in 2006 I wasn’t impressed at all. It wasn’t until I was spending a lazy Memorial Day weekend with my daughters, on Juno Beach, in 2009 that I became hooked watching a marathon viewing of the show.

Its’ return wasn’t a wash for me, and I believe even with 12 episodes already in the can, that the writer’s will hear the viewers and tighten up the show. The Game is supposedly set in San Diego, yet BET is filming the show in Atlanta. Normally this would not be an issue, because you have sets, props, and technology.  But there were viewers who reside in or around the ATL, who appeared to recognize Atlanta landmarks in the backdrop. This is equivalent to a movie set in the 80’s but all of a sudden you see a billboard or gadget that didn’t hit the scene until the late 90’s. It’s amateurish.

Another “Hhmmm” moment for me is the new owner of the Saber’s football team. Let’s keep it real, San Diego is not New Jersey, Memphis or North carolina, and even in our wildest imagination a black man would not outright own a professional football team, and definitely not one on the West Coast. More believable, would be the Sabers are sold and relocated to Atlanta, this scenario would solve my first issue; plus, explain why Sheree (RHOA) walked through the club in a not-needed cameo appearance. It also seems that the show has lost some of its diversity, which was a part of its initial success. Where’s Irv? But it was just show one, so I’ll hold my thoughts on this one.

Thankfully, the original (main) cast returned. That is, with the exception of Erica Gluck, who played Brittany Pitts, the spoiled daughter of Jason and Kelly Pitts (Coby Bell and Brittany Daniel). I think the consensus is that we are not happy with her replacement, but let’s give the new Britt-Bratt (Katlynn Smith) a chance. The main obstacle for me in last nights show was the lack of cohesiveness. Melanie and Derwin, (Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall) didn’t seem to miss a beat with their characters transitioning smoothly past the two years that have elapsed.  At times it felt as if we were watching the Melanie and Derwin show, and then flipping the channel during commercial breaks and catching some other shows. (By the way, was it me or were there a lot of commercial breaks?)

Melanie and Derwin have such chemistry together, and we have come to love them as a couple, dealing with being young and in love, Melanie’s insecurities, and Derwin’s desire to please everyone and stay humble in the world of professional sports. If anyone was surprised that Melanie would still have issues with the new baby, you are definitely in the minority. I think this storyline will be a keeper. Let’s face it, if everything was lovey dovey with these two we really wouldn’t care much about them, or this show.

Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson) and son Malik (Hosea Chanchez)—was it me or did these two not speak or appear in any scenes together? Tasha, the mother of all sports agents, was her usual animated self; it was just the situations that didn’t follow suit. I think our next petition should be to lose Terrance J. as her love interest. Yeah, I can see Tasha with a younger man, just not this one. When he came out in the towel scene I was really confused and unimpressed, wondering where this boy came from. Tasha needs a strong man who can handle her antics, let’s see, maybe someone like…Rick Fox. And what was up with the whole Kelly Pitts vs. Tasha Mack drama? Come on, real life Tasha Mack’s don’t run from the likes of Kelly Pitts. If anything, Tasha should be seeking revenge for Kelly knocking her out in the final episode. Seriously, Tasha knows Pookie and nem’.

Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, what have they done to you? The haircut is cute, but it makes you look 10 years older, and it’s hard to even recognize the Kelly we all wouldn’t have mind hanging out with from the original shows. I am not feeling the new and improved Kelly Pitts, at all. I think a stronger plot would have had Jason and Camille (Stacey Dash), in love and maybe planning a wedding; and Kelly, with the help of Tasha and Melanie, being the proverbial thorn in their sides.

Like Melanie and Derwin, Malik’s character seemed to transition without a hitch. There were no surprises there, I just would have liked a little more time to past between him getting upset with TiTi and eventually hooking up with his girl.  I think Megan Good’s character was a good fit for Malik since he is now ballin’ and I am sure going to be totally out of control.

All-in-all I feel as if the writers tried to give us too much too soon and it caused the episode to become overloaded and rushed. One of my 17 year-old daughters’ status updates on Facebook asked why the show had to be so “ghetto.” Is that what it is? The writers are trying to follow the success of drama-filled shows like Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Basketball Wives, because they think this is what the audience wants? I hope not, because I for one want to see some quality television, and The Game had a good combination going. If you agree, we need to let BET know that although we are grateful for the return of this show, we are not going to support foolishness, and settle just to have a “black” show on television.

SN:  The verdict is still out on Let’s Stay Together BET’s new series.  I am going to give it a chance because it was cute in a corney kind of way.

Much Love,

Tracy

Tracy L. Darity is the author of He Loves Me He Loves Me Not! and Love…Like Snow In Florida On A Hot Summer Day. For more information, vist www.TracyLDarity.com.