[47] Though critical of the overall show, the Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan was pleased with Mowry's charismatic performance. Jay Ellis joined the cast of The Game in 2013 to play Bryce Blue Westbrook. Synopsis: From creator Mara Brock Akil, "The Game" begins when Melanie Barnett (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) sacrifices her med school dream so her boyfriend Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall) can pursue a career in professional football. The famous singer starred as Chardonnay, the ex-wife of Jason Pitts, from Season 5 until the finale. ", "Tamera Mowry to Guest Star with Twin Sister Tia on BET's "The Game", "The CW announces fall schedule: 'Melrose Place' paired with '90210', "Is Lauren London Replacing Tia Mowry on 'The Game? ', "Pooch Hall and Tia Mowry Will Return for The Game Series Finale", "The CW fumbles an opportunity with 'The Game', "Sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry make their acting roles real and relatable", "The Game season 9: Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall will return for series finale", "Mowry in 'The Game' without her twin sister", "Football Wives, Bridging 2 Views of Race", "Motherhood Is All in the Game for Tia Mowry [Interview]", "NAACP and the networks: Can we change the script? Derwin tries to reuniting with Melanie but Melanie shows up with football player and Derwin's rival Trey Wiggs to move her stuff from Derwin's apartment. Origin Derwin Davis and Melanie Barnett-Davis have been together since college. The revival is executive-produced by original series creator Mara Brock Akil, showrunner and writer Devon Greggory ( American Soul ), Salim Akil ( Black Lightning ), Kelsey Grammer (who produced. Basis of this page is in Wikipedia. His character was portrayed by Pooch Hall. Season 3 Janay was in her last trimester with baby DJ and gave birth on the day of Melanie and Derwin's wedding, during their vows. Mon, Apr 30, 2007 30 mins. That might sound like a glamorous and stress-free existence, but Melanie Barnett is about to discover the truth. Joan and her cousin Melanie debate a top medical school in Baltimore vs a medical school in San Diego, where her boyfriend Derwin plays football professionally; Melanie is jealous of Derwin' Joan and her cousin Melanie debate a top medical school in Baltimore vs a medical school in San Diego, where her boyfriend Derwin plays football professionally; Melanie is jealous of Derwin's ambitious, beautiful Image Consultant, Dionne. Melanie was created by producer Mara Brock Akil. Entertainment Basketball League celebrity team. pic.twitter.com/otfLPDiXNX. Kelly returned in season 7. [6], The couple end their engagement after Melanie discovers that Derwin had sex with a singer. [41] Mowry chose to not return for the revival as she believed Melanie's storyline was complete and she wanted to focus on new projects. Who was the original Derwin Davis on Girlfriends? In season 2, Derwin starts becoming more of a playboy jock rather than his humble church ways. Melanie Barnett-Davis[1][2] is a fictional character, portrayed by actress Tia Mowry, who appears in the American sitcom The Game, which aired on the CW Television Network and BET from 2006 to 2015. She also published her first book,Oh Baby: Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to Anotherand portrayed step-mother Stephanie Turner-Phillips inInstant Momuntil 2015. He goes to rehab after issues. In season 2, Derwin starts becoming more of a playboy jock rather than his humble church ways. Derwin attempts to keep his two love interests, Melanie and Drew Sidora, apart at a party to celebrate Drew's latest music video that . [17] When questioned by Brock Akil, Tia responded: "I'm a woman, Mara. Her brother is Cameron, who is portrayed by Tahj Mowry (Tia Mowry's younger brother). After they break up once more in the middle of season 3, this time due to her infidelity with Dr. Buriss/Dr. It is discovered that Malik's back was injured during the last season; he blames his injury on Keith, who decided to get a better defense to help win games versus getting a good offensive line to protect Malik. [42], Melanie Barnett has been negatively received by television critics. Jerome and Derwin fight and Melanie confesses to Jerome that she loves Derwin. In the middle of Season 3, Derwin is seeing Janay and Melanie begins dating Jerome Rice. In season 5 premiere he asks Melanie if she had an abortion and she eventually admits that she did. AB is a real life Malik Wright from The Game I swear he's doing everything Malik did that season nobody would sign him. He is currently reprising his role in the Paramount+ reboot. This is a list of the characters from the American comedy drama television series The Game. It's truly a tip of the hat to the fans who will get to see if Melanie and Derwin get their happily-ever-after. (D.J.) In the end, she hoped that her and Jason would get back together. After she breaks up with Derwin, she confides in her old friend Trey Wiggs. They get an ending. In 2015, he joined the cast of #HBO's series Insecure, which premiered in 2016. pic.twitter.com/z89R8LS98E. As of 2021, Pooch Hall's is not dating anyone. Dante is obviously in love with Tasha but she is leery of letting their romance be witnessed in public so she tells Dante she can do her thing, he can do his thing and they can do their thing together. Related: How Tia Mowry's Divorce Will Affect Her Life And Career. https://twitter.com/47BLUR/status/1209337149528707073, https://twitter.com/KieannaMichelle/status/1208574736067780611, https://twitter.com/dejalenai/status/965006074628669440. Introduced in a backdoor pilot on the sitcom Girlfriends as Joan Clayton 's cousin, Melanie chooses to support her boyfriend Derwin Davis ' career with the San Diego Sabres, a fictional National Football League (NFL) team, rather than attend medical school at Johns Hopkins University. Hes also starred in movies including dance dramaBreaking Through(2015),Like Cotton Twines(2016), romantic dramaIn a Relationship,and horror film,Escape Room(2019). The special feature, "Away Game", is the first episode of the television series, The Game, . The most recent head coach of the San Diego Sabers, Jason Pitts, portrayed by Coby Bell, also appeared in every season ofThe Game,although he was a recurring member during Season 4 and 5. At the start of season 4, it is revealed that Kelly is now a reality TV star, with her own show centered around the ex-wives of professional athletes. Tia, Tamera, and Tahj then went on to star in the TV movie Seventeen Again. Overview: For the first time, the event will consist of skills competitions and non-contact flag football games, rather than an actual tackle football game. Reaction to Melanie was primarily negative; critics expressed disapproval of her decision to support her boyfriend instead of enrolling in medical school. The baby comes when Derwin and Melanie are at the altar. [23] The CW Television Network did not provide a reason for the casting change. Two years later, Tasha is now Derwin's agent and appears to be a very successful sports agent, making Derwin a superstar & "the face of Nike", while dating a much younger man named Dant. Contents 1 Melanie Barnett Davis 2 Derwin Davis 3 Tasha Mack 4 Malik Wright He has also starred in Mad Dogs, The Quad, Hand of God, The Gifted, SEAL Team, and Lucifer. After high school her boyfriend Chauncey went to college and left Tasha to be a single mother. [22], Cynthia Addai-Robinson was originally cast to play Melanie,[4] but was replaced by Tia Mowry prior to development of the backdoor pilot. Pooch Hall as Derwin Davis Hosea Chanchez as Malik Wright Brittany Daniel as Kelly Pitts And Wendy Raquel Robinson as Tasha Mack Created by: Mara Brock Akil Executive Producers: Kelsey Grammer,. When discussing her reasons for auditioning, she said she wanted to take on a more difficult role. 'The Game' season 9 premiered on June 3, 2015, and concluded on August 5, 2015, after airing 10 episodes. Derwin tries to make amends with Janay by spending time with his son at her house, and it almost jeopardizes his relationship with Melanie. The boisterous friendships among four disparate black women living in Los Angeles and their relationships provide the humor for this sex-drenched sitcom. Melanie goes to Derwin's apartment, but Derwin finds out that Janay is pregnant with his baby. At the press conference Derwin is bombarded with questions about the play that Kwan got hurt with members of the media insinuating that Derwin missed it on purpose, Derwin leaves the press conferences without answering further questions. In the final episode of Season 5, he appears to have gone back to his old habits by breaking up with Jenna. At Melanie and Derwin's first wedding, Tasha reveals that she introduced Jason to Camille, his new girlfriend. [26] She also described The Game as an opportunity to showcase her individuality. She has starred in Black-ish, #BlackAF, and the Cheaper by the Dozen reboot. After guest starring on several different TV series, Tia and Tamera became the stars of the hit sitcom Sister, Sister from 1994 to 1999. Tasha realizes that all her life since Malik of proving herself has resulted in pushing people away, including boyfriends. Later Derwin visits Malik and gets advice about how to get through this and how to not stress so much about his image and focus more on football and his career. Derwin and Drew get close and end up having sex. Even though she makes it seem as though the abortion has not affected her, she seems to show feelings of guilt when she is alone. Derwin hurts his knee in a Sabers' playoff game and can not play in the Super Bowl, so he decides not to go to Miami with the team. Later Derwin visits Malik and gets advice about how to get through this and how to not stress so much about his image and focus more on football and his career. The therapist also forces him to stand up to his mother and "grow up". Malik was born to Tasha Mack when she was in high school in Richmond, California. [19] Mowry left the show when Melanie's role was slated to become "less important" in comparison to previous seasons. At the end of the episode, however, he surprises her at the airport, telling her that he is flying there, with her. This is a list of the characters from the American comedy-drama television series The Game. Melanie soon convinces him to leave the house and while at the gas station a fan approaches him, blaming him for the injury and spitting on his car. [7], Producers Mara Brock Akil and Kelsey Grammer developed The Game as a spin-off of the sitcom Girlfriends. Melanie and Derwin go see a fertility doctor about why they're having problems conceiving, and Melanie is asked if she has ever had an abortion. A month later, in February 2016, the singer announced her first headlining tour in eight years, the Slayana World Tour, but had to end it early after she landed in the hospital with exhaustion. Though their relations are rocky, Melanie, Kelly, and Tasha still maintain a close bond. Since firing Tasha as his manager Derwin has been in the need of a new representation and hires his old agent Irv Smith to manage him prompting Tasha to take legal action as a way to get her money back for a Verizon sponsorship she had recently set up for him. Kelly responds by punching Tasha in the face. She eventually questions if she should have stayed with Derwin after Malik starts to do wrongdoing. Melanie and Derwin eventually get back together, even though Janay is pregnant, and they have a wedding planned; but just as the ceremony is about to start, Derwin receives word that Janay has gone into labor. What have the main cast members been up to since the show ended in 2015? [34] Brock Akil said she provided closure to Melanie and Derwin's story arc through their exit, explaining: "They're together, and we were able to put a period on their story. She eventually has a one-night stand with Trey. Directed by Salim Akil. Episodes The Game Select a season Release year: 2006 2. Gammage criticized the series for showing Melanie becoming a wife "at the expanse of her career and possibility of bear[ing] her own children" and portraying her as unable to care for her stepson. 2. New character Bryce Blueprint Westbrook, portrayed by Jay Ellis, was San Diego Sabers first draft pick and replaced Derwin Davis as the leading cast member from Season 6 until the finale. [49][50] She was also nominated for the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress Comedy in the 2007 Teen Choice Awards. [16] Melanie returns for the series finale, in which she nears the end of a high-risk pregnancy and gives birth to twins. After weeks of chitter-chatter (and debate) over "Moesha," Netflix released popular "Girlfriends" spin-off "The Game" starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Pooch Hall, Wendy Racquel Robinson, Brittany Daniel, Hosea Chanchez and Cody Bell that, at its height, was must-see TV on social media a la "Insecure." "The Game" follows a group of dynamic women (headlined by Melanie) who all . text += ' McHottie, Derwin and Janay try to work things out while Melanie has a fling with her boss, Dr. Buriss. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, Where The Original Cast Of The Game Is Now, Tia And Tamera Mowry's Different Opinions About Making 'Twitches 3', How Tia Mowry's Divorce Will Affect Her Life And Career. Derwin tells Tasha that he's gonna miss her before leaving. [17] The producer explained that she appreciated Tia's work ethic and her strong desire to be a part of the series; she described Tia's audition as "fighting everybody's preconceived notions of her" by playing the more mature Melanie. Derwin and Drew get close and end up having sex. The talented actress continued to act after the show. malik wright. She contrasted Melanie to white characters on television, writing that "white women seem to achieve it all and control their realities on their own terms."[13]. See production, box office & company info, Antoinette 'Toni' Marie Childress Garrett, Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. In the episode "Derwin about to go ham", Kwan and Derwin's animosity reaches the critical level after Kwan refuses to throw Derwin the ball in the first half of a crucial game. However, later on Melanie tells Derwin that it is not the right time. Outside of acting, Mowry-Hardict and Cory Hardict have been married for over ten years and parent two children. Looking for Pooch Hall online? In season seven, Tasha discovers that she is pregnant with a girl and unsure if the child's father is Pookie or Rick Fox. Earlier this year, the couple welcomed their daughter Hope, who was conceived via surrogate and an egg donation from Brittany's twin sister Cynthia. The Game Lynn Ann Searcy / Lynn Searcy (172 episodes, 2000-2020) Reginald C. Hayes. This spin-off of the beloved sitcom "Girlfriends" is also created by Mara Brock Akil. In the third season, he finally meets his father and his half sister, Pucci, whom he tries to help with her singing career. Starring: Tia Mowry, Pooch Hall, Coby Bell Creators: Mara Brock Akil Watch all you want. I didn't know if they wanted to go where I wanted the character to go. Upon her return, she reconnects with Jason, Brittany and Tasha, but Chardonnay is not so keen on this (at first). [32] Picked up by BET, the show aired for six more seasons. After dating Rick for a while, Tasha is still not happy and thus breaks up with him, leaving herself alone once more. When her boyfriend Derwin Davis is chosen as the new third-string wide receiver for the San Diego Sabers, she decides to forgo Johns Hopkins Medical School to attend a local college so she can be with him. Back on the field Kwan is told to call a pass play but at the last minute audibles out for a run, Derwin going into motion "misses" a block and Kwan's knee is brutally hurt and he is lost for the game and possibly the season. In the first season Derwin goes through the hazing from Sabers captainJason Pitts, and starting quarterback,Malik Wright. In love with Laura London aka Keira Whitaker #thegame ??? Aldis Hodge portrayed the original Derwin in the Girlfriends pilot. Share goal: 300. It's a man, asking 14-year-old Derwin strange questions inside a car in southwest Atlanta in 1979. After fixing his relationship with Malik, Derwin attempts to get Malik back on the field with a campaign called "WMD" (What Malik Doing), Derwin admits that he has ulterior motives but he believes this is the only way him and Malik can get back to real friendship. Before he leaves, Malik reassures his love to his mother. Tasha is best friends with Melanie Barnett and Kelly Pitts. In season 2, Melanie begins dating Jerome Rice and Derwin begins to date Janay Brice. His friendship with Derwin has also been damaged because of Derwin's push to get Malik benched. Portrayed by Pooch Hall Aldis Hodge (GIrlfriends) Derwin Davis was one of the main characters of television series The Game Arcade from seasons 1-5, and made guest appearances in seasons 6 and 9. Some time later, Malik is depressed and intent on revenge against Franko, but after a conversation with his mother in which she reveals that he is about to become a big brother, he seems to have given this up. Derwin made a return for the 100th episode and later the series finale as well. On August 5, 2015, after nine seasons,The Gamecame to an end. He has never had a chance to express himself due to Tasha's domineering behavior and their codependency on one another. "[3], Following Melanie and Derwin's exit, two characters, draft pick Bryce "The Blueprint" Westbrook and child star Keira Whitaker, portrayed by Jay Ellis and Lauren London, respectively, were introduced on the series. At the Sunbeam Fashion Show, Tasha ends up being locked in the bathroom with Melanie, and they ultimately mend their friendship. Most recently, she appeared inIndivisible(2018) and Netflix comedy series,Family Reunion. When Jason's lawyers advise him to take full custody of their only child Brittany, Kelly blackmails Jason by threatening to reveal his secret of steroid use. Derwin tries to get her back, telling her," I'm lost without you, you're my light and I need you to come back to me." the game. Derwin hurts his knee in a Sabers' playoff game and can not play in the Super Bowl, so he decides not to go toMiamiwith the team. twin son and daughter (with Derwin), Derwin Davis Jr. Derwin and Melanie Davis are the hot married "it" couple, and Derwin is the San Diego Sabers' franchise player. How many children does Pooch Hall have? Mowry considered the character to be her first adult role and felt it emphasized her individuality and maturity. to which Melanie tells him that she doesn't love him anymore and he needs to let her go. overall No. She left the show in 2012 and is not currently starring in the reboot. Over the last several years, he has also starred in other TV shows, including Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., Ray Donovan, I Got a Story to Tell, and Law & Order: Organized Crime. Malik's financial woes force him to sell his mansion, get rid of most his cars, and move back in with Tasha as a way to get his life on track. [3], Mowry's twin sister Tamera Mowry accompanied her to her audition. The series originally ran on UPN and The CW from 2000 to 2008, lasting for 8 seasons and a whopping 172 episodes. In season 2, Jason begins using steroids. After the wrapped, he portrayed Lawrence Walker opposite Issa Rae in hit HBO comedy,Insecure. Melanie Barnett; First appearance: The Game (Backdoor Pilot) ("Girlfriends" - episode 6.18) Last appearance: The Game (The Wedding Episode) (The Game - episode 3.22) Portrayed by: Tia Mowry: Episode count: 64: Mowry left the series in 2012 upon learning that her role would be reduced as a result of co-star Pooch Hall's decision to reduce his role on The Game to appear in the crime drama series Ray Donovan. Melanie Barnett. Melanie struggles to balance her career with her personal life. 3. Two years later, Malik is still a cocky, spoiled playboy who is sleeping with the wife of the Sabers' new owner, Roger Keith. This is a list of the characters from the American comedy-drama television series The Game. Jason instead leaves with his girlfriend Camille (played by Stacey Dash ), which leaves Kelly heartbroken. When Malik finally meets his father it is revealed that he has a younger sister, Pucci, played by Lisa Tucker. video. With the San Diego Sabers, he won his first Championship and was named MVP in 2008. Tasha's first known relationship is with Malik's old head coach, Kenny (Coach T). After a few "hookups" Derwin starts dating Janay. He starred as Franklin Thomas in the miniseries Mrs. America and as Lawrence Walker in Issa Raes hit HBO show Insecure. She returns to Derwin's apartment only to find out that Janay is pregnant with Derwin's child. She received nominations for two NAACP Image Awards and a Teen Choice Award for the role. Today, the cast of Girlfriends is still busy in TV and movies. His best friend since childhood is Terrance "Tee Tee" Carter. His character was . 2 Derwin Davis; 3 Tasha Mack; 4 Malik Wright; 5 Kelly Pitts; 6 Jason Pitts; 7 See also; 8 References; Melanie Barnett. Melanie becomes friends with Kelly Pitts, the wife of veteran wide receiver Jason Pitts, and Tasha Mack, mother and manager of the Sabers star quarterback Malik Wright. Janay finds "Dr. Grizzly", the stuffed bear Derwin bought Melanie, and Derwin says the bear means nothing to him anymore and throws the bear into a waste basket, but later recovers it and hides it in a drawer knowing he still has feelings for her. The Game originally aired from 2006 to 2015. During this process, she lost 10 pounds (4.5kg) and straightened her hair for auditions. After returning home Derwin and Melanie have a truth moment and he reveals that he missed it on purpose because of Kwan's attempt to threaten the legacy. He falls in love with actress Robin Givens and convinces her to marry him as a publicity stunt. Additionally, the actress made a guest appearance onThe Gamefor the final season and landed in her own cooking show,Tia Mowry at Home. What happened to Derwin's friendship with Malik? Later that night Derwin and Melanie get married in a private ceremony. Pooch Hall is an American actor best known for his starring role as Derwin Davis, a new and eager third-string wide receiver for the San Diego Sabers, on the comedy-drama television series The Game. [1] In her 2015 book Representations of Black Women in the Media: The Damnation of Black Womanhood, California State University associate professor Marquita Marie Gammage felt the character was perpetuating negative images of black motherhood on television. She also starred as Naomi Xplicit Lyrics on ABCs show Queens, but it was cancelled after just one season. Melanie accepts at first feeling pressured on national television. Derwin originally believes that it was when he and Melanie were in college; however, she tells him that it was actually from her affair with Trey Wiggs. Derwin proposes to Melanie in "To Baby or Not to Baby" at half-time of one of the Saber games because he thinks that Melanie might be pregnant. "[16] She added that their storyline would appeal to the show's fans, explaining: "I feel creatively we've been able to answer those who have been loyal to us. See reviews & details on a wide selection of Blu-ray & DVDs, both new & used. He has also starred in Black-ish and a short called Brazilian Wavy. Derwin also gives Melanie his blessing to let Tasha be the surrogate mother for their potential child.