"The Game" is back as if it Never Left

By TV Insider
JR Staff Writer

When BET picked up the rights to broadcast the first two seasons of "The Game," black America found the new television series. The reruns on BET had higher ratings than the original airings. Despite the rise in popularity, "The Game's" days were numbered.

The CW Television Network had inherited most of their black sitcoms from UPN. Ever since the network's inception, they had been killing black sitcoms left and right. Over the past three years, "The Game" had built a large following. The CW did all they could to ruin the show and cancelled it.

The pressure mounted on BET to somehow save the show. Following months of debating, BET landed the rights to broadcast a fourth season of "The Game." While the battle was over, the war had just started when each actor for the show had to be re-signed. Pooch Hall (Derwin) had landed a guest-starring role on the new CBS sitcom, "Accidentially on Purpose," and Coby Bell (Jason) had landed a role on the USA hit series, "Burn Notice." During the spring of 2010, BET made an announcement that shocked everyone when they revealed "The Game" would be coming back.

Last month, "The Game" returned and is all of the talk in most black households as if the year is still 2009 and the actors are glad. After only four episodes, Malik's selfishness has been the topic of discussion, along with the marriage of Derwin and Melanie. Meanwhile, the now-retired Jason, has created an online dancing craze with the "Dip N Pitts." More than ever, "The Game" is truly connecting with the viewers, as they have loosened up now that they are with BET. They have the freedom on cable that they never had with The CW and it is evidenced with the way the characters are being portrayed.

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"The Game" starts a new Dance Craze

By TV Insider
JR Staff Writer

Last night, BET scored more high ratings behind the efforts of "The Game." After being away for nearly two years, fans are eager for new episodes. The episode picked up from Tia Mowry's Melanie telling Pooch Hall's 'Derwin' about his son.

In the second episode, fans saw Brittany Daniel's character 'Kelly' make up with Wendy Rachel Robinson's character 'Tasha.' The high point of the show was supposed to be 'Melanie's' confession to 'Derwin,' but Coby Bell stole the show.

Last summer, Bell was likely not to be on "The Game" when it returned because of a role he had taken with "Burn Notice." But, when the filming began, his schedule was actually clear, so he returned to play 'Jason Pitts' again. Already playing an aging superstar, when the show picked up two years later, Bell's Jason was basically retired and hosting a TV show. On the last episode, viewers saw 'Jason' not be signed to a new contract and him officially retire. Things only became worse for 'Jason' when he introduced "The Pittsy Shuffle" to his fans during his party.

While the "Dip n Pitts," as it is being fondly called by fans, was a miss on the actual show, it has become a hit with viewers across the world.

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Coby Bell ditches "Game" for "Burn Notice"

Hardcore fans of "The Game" feared that while the show was on hiatus that the actors would find other work. Right when it was looking as if the show would not return, Pooch Hall landed a recurring role on "Accidentially on Purpose." So far, he has been the only actor from "The Game" to move on to other acting roles. But, the man better known as Jason Pitts, birth name Coby Bell, has found a new role on the USA drama, "Burn Notice."

Before he went on to play for "The Game," Bell had made a name for himself on the NBC drama, "Third Watch." Following the cancellation of "Third Watch," he began guest starring on many sitcoms that aired on UPN. His next big break would come when he was cast to play the role of Jason Pitts on "The Game." For the past three years, he has become a fan favorite on the program. But, that time has come to an end.

Recently, Coby Bell signed on to become Jesse Garcia on the USA drama, "Burn Notice." He will be a regular on the show, which means that his role on "The Game" will be reduced. While he will no longer be one of the main stars for the sitcom, he will still have a recurring role with the show and he may return if the series continues its success on BET.

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