By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, filed January 12, 2011
In May, 2009, the CW canceled "The Game"after three seasons, abandoning the 30-minute sitcom. The show appeared destined for the proverbial TV graveyard.
But fans started multiple campaigns to get the show back on air, posting on-line petitions and flooding the CW website and phone lines with complaints. BET executives took notice.
"We were riding on the backs of the fans," said Mara Brock Akil, the show's creator. "They were saying, 'It's BET's turn to step up.' "
The network dabbled in original scripted shows in the past, including the Athens-based "Somebodies" in 2008 which didn't get past one season. But as Atlanta-based TBS established itself as the new home for comedies targeting African Americans, BET felt pressured to try again.
BET grabbed "The Game," which had a built-in fan base, then paired it with a new comedy "Let's Stay Together,"Â which debuts right afterwards Tuesday night, Jan. 11 at 11 p.m.
Negotiations took time. Since BET is basic cable and not a major network, the number of episodes is fewer (13 instead of 22) and budgets smaller.  BET moved the show to Atlanta, where tax incentives make production costs significantly lower than Los Angeles, home to "The Game" from 2006 to 2009.
"There were fewer dollars," Brock Akil said, "but more sweat equity. We believe in the show so much, we're willing to dig in and roll up our sleeves a little higher."
Despite the obstacles and a 20-month gap between the CW finale and the fourth season one-hour debut tonight at 10 p.m, all key cast members are back.
The producers moved the plotlines forward two years. Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall), the wide receiver for the fictional San Diego Sabres, is now a big star. Malik Wright (Hosea Chanchez), the quarterback, feels overshadowed by Derwin. Out of football, Jason Pitts (Coby Bell) is an obnoxious sportscaster and won't be in every episode.
Among the women, Melanie Barnett-Davis stayed with Derwin, despite the fact he had a child with another woman. "Baby drama!" said Tia Mowry, who plays Melanie. "Without drama, there is no show!" Kelly Pitts (Brittany Daniel), post divorce, tapes her own reality show. Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson), Malik's mom, helps build Derwin's career and has her own boy toy on the side.
Taped this past fall, "The Game" is the first production at EU/Screen Gems, the new production facility at the former Lakewood Fairgrounds, south of downtown Atlanta. They also taped scenes at Atlantic Station and boxer Evander Holyfield's home, which was used as Malik's mansion.
"It was a really welcoming experience," said actor Chanchez, who plays Malik and has family in metro Atlanta. "Georgia is where the core of our audience lives. It was exciting to see how excited the fans were."
The CW never gave "The Game" top priority while focused on shows such as "Gossip Girl" and "Smallville." But at BET, "The Game" is a big fish in a smaller pond.
"Every time I look at the promos, the billboards, the bus wraps," said Mara's husband and co-executive producer Salim Akil, "I'm just so proud. BET's stepping out on a limb. And fans are responding." ("The Game" on Facebook has an impressive 3.3 million fans, more than double the number in mid-2009.)
TV PREVIEW
"The Game," 10 p.m. Tuesdays on BET, starting Jan. 11
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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