Review: The Game Is Lost On BET

The Daily Grind Video

By Jay Billion aka Biliano

If you are like me, you may have noticed a dip in Urban (Black and Hispanic) media over the last decade. I really noticed it when The Game premiered on BET a couple of weeks ago. I was soarly dissapointed that when the show changed networks the quality was one of the casualties. Not that this had an effect on the popularity so far. The Game’s BET debut came with a record 7.7 million views. Those are excellent numbers without a doubt, but that doesn’t change the fact the show has experienced a decline in good writing and story lines. It has basically exchanged the comedy (with sorry laugh tracks) with a soap opera type of vibe.

The Derwin (Pooch Hall) and Melanie (Tia Mowry) story has seemed to have fallen short of what it started out to be. They have been working with a dysfunctional relationship for most of the shows history. In real life, at this point I would think they would have most likely ended in divorce by now. From baby mama drama to cheating on each other. Malik (Hosea Chanchez) is beyond arrogant at this point. Kelly (Brittany Daniel) is tough all of a sudden. She is ready to give Tasha a beat down for introducing Jason to another woman. Tasha is still Tasha (Wendy Raquel Robinson) to be honest. Jason (Coby Bell) is bitter and very unlikeable. As I think about it, all of these characters are becoming unlikeable.

I miss The Game that once followed another Kelsey Grammer production, Girlfriends I miss the days of Living Single, Martin, Fresh Prince, and other shows that displayed a more accurate depiction of African American culture. This new batch of shows seem to have become a exaggeration of how we deal with fame, family lives, and relationships. I will say I enjoyed the new show Let’s Stay Together which follows the Game. Its funny with a mostly unknown cast who bring a fresh air to the project.

See More on this subject on my editorial below