Despite Previous Reports, Here’s Why ‘The Game’ Is Not Coming Back To The CW
When The Game was canceled in 2006, fans were outraged. They accused the network of not picking the show up for a fourth season and focusing on content that did not have an African American audience. Thankfully, the show was picked up a few years later by BET and ran for six additional seasons.
Fans jumped for joy when it was announced weeks ago that the show was returning for a third time. But reports surfaced that the show may not be returning any time soon.
Mara Brock-Akil and cast announce second return of ‘The Game’
The Game first premiered in 2003. The show was a spin-off of the popular series Girlfriends and centered around a fictional San Diego football team and the women supported them behind the scenes. Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall were it’s leading characters. It was canceled in 2006.
BET picked the series up, running for an additional six seasons on the network. Last month, stars of the show, along with its creators, took to Instagram to express their excitement about the show’s return for a second time. Deadline was the first to announce its return.
The series was said to return to its original network, The CW. The network decided to develop a revival with a one-hour format, differing from its original half-hour time slot. Mara Brock Akil, the show’s creator, was on board to return as primary writer of the show alongside American Soul creator Devon Greggory.
“This show has sent kids to college, bought houses, anchored dreams and most importantly told stories both humorously and dramatically of humans trying to get something in this life both on and off the field,” Akil wrote in part on Instagram.
Cast members including Pooch Hall, Brittany Daniel, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson all posted about their return to the show. Akil also posted on Instagram regarding the show’s return.
The CW opts to not pick up ‘The Game’
Fans were excited for the return of the series again on its original network, but it appears that The CW has decided not to move forward with the show.
Creative differences between the network and the creator, Akil, is rumored to be the reason. For the second comeback, Akil and Greggory had a different vision for the series than the original. The pair wanted to change the plot and scenery – moving the cast from San Diego where it’s been from the beginning, to Baltimore, Maryland. According to Deadline, The CW executives were not sold on the new idea.
The idea was for some of the original cast members return as the show’s out-of-touch retired players and wives who are determined to help the new wave navigate the game and life as a football wife. Executives said no to the revamp.
As of yet, it’s not clear if any network has decided to pick the series up for its reboot. Akil hasn’t spoken about The CW’s decision to pass.
