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| Photo Credit: costmag.com |
The most anticipated night in television took place last night with the return of "The Game." 7.7 million viewers tuned in to watch Ding-Dong, Med School and the whole gang reconvene for a drama-filled season 4 premiere, and they did NOT disappoint.
However, there was a lot of mixed feedback on my Twitter and Facebook feeds about the show being over-the-top. Maybe so, but they had a lot of hype to live up to and could not take the chance of being underwhelming after a two-year wait. And with all the pressure to perform, I definitely think they rose to the occasion.
I had to watch the show on my DVR several times just to soak it all in. The overall production has definitely stepped up their "game." From the set design, to the writing, music and wardrobe, the show has turned it all the way up. And the storyline is juicier than ever. I LOVE IT! And despite what qualms people have with BET, I have noticed the steps they are trying to make in the right direction...kudos.
But back to the show.
The last time we saw the gang Kelly and Jason had just finalized their divorce. Fast forward two years and the former Kelly Pitts is still enjoying her new found freedom and independence and finally living high off of Jason's dime. She's even filming a reality show to establish her own identity called Ex-Ballers Wives, much to Jason's chagrin. Hmm where have I seen that before? (LOL) Jason's not doing so good though. He and Kelly are bickering non-stop and his standing with the Sabers is on the rocks as well. It seems that as the divorce settled, so did the reality that losing his marriage would subsequently cost him his family and his career. I don't know about you, but I'm still pulling for these two. It ain't over til I say its over! (TEHE).
The biggest change in the Pitts family would have to be the casting change of their daughter Britney. Lots of people expressed their disapproval for the new "Brit-Brat." I, too, like the old Britney but come on folks. There are a lot of legalities that go into having children on TV. Its two years later and no parents in their right mind would up jump the boogie to Atlanta for their daughter to only play a recurring role. I'm sure we will get used to this older pop-tart Britney in no time.
Thankfully, Tasha Mack is still Tasha Mack, serving up all the quick-witted punch lines that we know and love her for. But there's no Rick Fox this time around :-(. She's got a new boo, Dante played by Terrence J. He did his thing despite however uncomfortable it was viewing his pre-pubescent body making out with a grown woman, but I guess it's a part of the dynamic. It's no easy task keeping up with firecracker Ms. Mack but Terrence J certainly held his own. Only time will tell how long this relationship will last.
With Terrence J came a host of other cameos including Meagan Good, Sheree Whitfield and Chris Webber. The guest appearances were slightly excessive, but its understandable. I mean it is the premiere people! And with so many fans of the show I'm sure people were busting down BET doors to get one of the coveted spots.
Meagan Good did a nice job playing the role of the Saber owner's wife that Malik is smashing. It suited her so well. Now don't sit there and judge me like you thought this role was a stretch. What can I say...its what she's "good" at (LOL). Seriously though, I would LOVE to see her express her range some more by playing something other than the jump off or girlfriend. I'd like to believe she's selling herself short and has more to offer, but I just need to see it.
Sheree, however, was as random as cameos came. I know they are filming in the ATL, but we're still supposed to believe the Sabers are in San Diego and Sheree was just an unnecessary reminder that we were in Atlanta. And was that Rick Ross barely understandable at the top of the staircase of Malik's house? Anywho...
I thought Chris Webber did a GREAT job as the sports announcer interviewing Jason Pitts. If he doesn't have a job sportscasting someone should snatch him up. But there was a teenie pet-peeve that was introduced in this scene that remained obvious, at least to me, throughout the entire remainder of the show....THAT DARN LAUGHING TRACK.
Was it me or was it too low? It's like they wanted to laugh, but not really. There were a lot of hilarious punch lines that fell through the cracks because of the unenthusiastic laugh track. I really hope they fix that, because it made some of the jokes awkward. The laugh track lets the live audiences and viewers at home know that this is your cue to laugh. I didn't realize how necessary it was until now. But I digress.
Mama Mack's baby boy is back living life in the fast lane, but it seems he may need to slow down. Due to an injury setback, he is no longer the Sabers' franchise player. And Lik-Lik is having a hard time coping with the change. He's also having difficulty getting used to his sidekick and everyone's favorite flunky Tee-Tee, who has retired as Malik's b...h boy and has a new gig as a businessman. (He owns a chicken truck)
Malik refuses to take Tee-Tee seriously and still treats him like a wing man. He even ignores Tee-Tee's advice to lay low about sleeping with the Saber owner's wife (Meagan Good). Malik adds to his disregard for Tee-Tee by also getting it in with Tee-Tee's girlfriend Allison. And let me just say Malik has gone TOO FAR. It's bad enough to be sleeping with the owner's wife, but doubling up with your best-friend's girl? Come on Malik! Why are you playin?! But this is why I love The Game...for keeping it real. The reality is a lot of famous athletes have Malik's same mentality, that "the rules don't apply." But of course, every dog has his day and I think Malik will soon reap the consequences of his selfish and reckless ways, and Lord have mercy on him when he does.
But if you thought that was drama, then you must not know Derwin and Melanie. Fast forward two years after the wedding from hell and the ill-timed birth of Derwin's son and the two are a married superstar couple adjusting to the lime-light and blended family life. Melanie has put medical school on hold to be a glamorous baller's wife and though I'm disappointed she sacrificed her career for his, the plot remains true to the lives of real athletes' wives who postpone their dreams to be supportive wives and mothers. And I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Dr. Melanie Barnett-Davis.
Melanie's not the only one glammed up to keep up with new superstar Derwin Davis. Janay is back and loving the perks of being a baby mama and has amped up her game as well...and I love it! But it wouldn't be the Davis household without drama. Melanie is still not satisfied playing second fiddle to Derwin's son and is convinced Janay is just out to get what she has. She allows her doubts about Derwin Jr. (DJ) to get the best of her and against advice from Tasha, gets a paternity test for now two-year-old DJ. Well lucky for her, the results came back negative...YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER! Melanie tells Derwin little DJ isn't his, crushing him, but perhaps she shouldn't have spoken so quickly. It seems her hookup at the clinic made a mistake and Derwin is in fact the father of Derwin Jr. (BOOM) How is Melanie gonna fix this one?
Will she tell Derwin? Or will she be consumed by the thought of finally having Janay and DJ out of their lives forever?
Ooo wee! We shall soon find out!
Can't wait til next Tuesday
Will you be watching?
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