The Character Breakdown Series: Derwin Davis

Derwin the so fine. My favorite Christian bad boy. I have to give a shout out to our boy Pooch for pulling off the youthfulness of a man nearly 10 years his junior. I'm amazed by that every week.

There was a CW Lounge thread titled "Derwin, the so called Christian" or something to that effect. I had to stick up for my boy because no one is perfect. People call Christian's hypocrites when they sin as if it is humanly possible to get through a day let alone life without sinning. They'll say, well people might commit little sins, but Christians shouldn't be doing so and so. The fact that a man is physically weak and lives in sin doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't love him some Jesus. Don't get me lying about the book, chapter and verse, but I once read in the Bible that no one should wear their Christianity on their sleeve because no one is worthy and we will ultimately bring shame on God's name. Derwin is proof of that. All Christians are proof of that.

We really don't know much about Derwin's background unless I missed it. We don't know what happened to his parents, but his grandmother seems to be the guiding force in his life as that is the only family member he ever mentions. I don't know where he is from. We know Malik and Tasha are from the mean streets of Richmond, California, but Derwin acts like he is from the mean streets too because that boy loves to fight.

Derwin has swung on Malik, Trey Wiggs and Jerome. Did I miss anyone? He has responded so angrily to Mel at times that I sometimes wonder if he is capable of hitting her. He went way overboard with the revenge when Mel got caught by the paps having lunch with Trey Wiggs. We had like three episodes of him treating her badly because of that. When Mel refused to talk to him right after the breakup and he kicked the television, I couldn't help but wonder what he would have done if Trey wasn't there and Mel tried to leave. I also felt that when Tasha and Kelly came to get Mel's stuff he was willing to use force to prevent them from taking Mel's things. I'd love some background on his anger management issues.

I could see the Drew thing happening, but he was pretty cold blooded on that deal. His relationship with Mel wasn't exactly horrible when he started having inappropriate conversations with Drew and failed to tell her he had a live in girlfriend. But as good as we like to think Derwin is, these things happen. What young pro athlete wouldn't get a little star struck by the attention of a pretty, young starlet? There are rumors out right now of a certain athlete being lured away from his wife by a beautiful starlet. We hate it, but it happens so I like that they went there.

What knocked my socks off was that he decided to be a full blown, out of the closet ho after his failed initial attempt to get Mel back. I guess that happens too, but I still didn't expect Derwin to go that far. I don't really count Eggs because he actually viewed her as a possible mate initially. It took Malik, Jason and Melanie to snap him out of that one. But when he stood Dionne up on Christmas, no less. for some jumpoff that he just met, I was like, "Dang, Derwin is grimey." Then he brought a stone cold hoochie to Malik's party. To top it off he still fell for Janay's trap after all of those lessons.

I'm expecting to see some growth in Derwin this season. He can't keep falling for the okie doke every single time, like the tattoo, Drew, Eggs and Janay. I'd like them to show prayer working in his life. Let him make the right and responsible decision some time. There is a good guy in there and I want to see more of him. They have the perfect situation going on to allow him to either man up or fall apart. So far he's doing pretty well.

Season 3: Episode 3 Ratings

Previous week's ratings: EHC - 1.76 million, The Game - 1.9 million viewers

I'm disappointed, but I'm not going to panic just yet. If I recall correctly, the show was renewed for a whole season so I guess it won't be yanked mid season. I guess. I don't really know how that works. In any event the ratings are down again. I really don't think Nielsen is doing this show any justice, but that is another blog topic.

I've been lax about asking fans to write to the network since the season started, but we really have to get back on that. We should write letters frequently whether I'm bugging people to do it or not. I admit I have twice seen ads at other times than the usual ANTM spots. I saw an ad during Judge Mathis and then at another time during some show that I can't remember. I think we were flicking channels at the time. We need more of that. 50 Cent has a show coming out on MTV as do Real and Chance of I Love New York "fame".

The CW needs to be advertising this show on MTV during "urban" reality shows. They just have not been very creative when it comes to marketing for The Game. Maybe its because they are putting so much energy and money into the teen shows that they are insanely hoping will save the network despite their history to the contrary. Send them letters and give them ideas. So what if we don't have marketing degrees. We know what we watch and what we watch is where they should be advertising. Tell them that. If you watch 50's show or some of the other urban reality shows and you don't see an ad, shoot a letter off to The CW simply saying, "Why didn't I see any The Game ads during Real Chance at Love on MTV? That show has the same target demographic as The Game." Simple as that. Do it everytime you watch a black show. Think of it as helping out the CW marketing folks because they sure need help.

Click here to shoot off a letter right now. And don't forget to mention that you love the show. If it is your favorite show on TV say that too. Oh yeah, please mention the widget. The widget was designed to advertise the show yet the network doesn't update it in a timely fashion. You can watch the preview for the next week's show on The CW site the Saturday before the show comes out, yet here it is Monday and the widget still has the preview for last week's show. Why are they hiding the freaking previews? Tell them to update the dang widget at the same time the preview is available on The CW site. The goal is to lure new viewers not send people who are already fans of the show on a hunt for videos.

Season 3: Episode 3 Recap: Just When I Thought I Was Out...

Will someone please tell me what I missed? Are the pill, the patch, the shot and all the other birth control methods that are way more effective than a condom not available in Saber Land? And why did Derwin say that condoms are 99% effective? That's a dangerous untruth to be spreading to a couple million viewers. I just don't get why condoms are the only form of birth control these guys use when they are in monogymous relationships. Maybe the writers were taking a Mel and Derwin break and this episode was really just about about Malik and Robin and Tasha and Rick.

It's interesting that Tasha is always dispensing advice to the ladies that have men when in reality she doensn't know jack about relationships. Unless it's against company policy I don't see the reason why they would have to go to ridiculous lengths to hide their relationship. They don't have to discuss it with folks, but there is no need to make sure you don't get to the office at the same time. She was going to lunch with him before, so what is the problem with them going to lunch now? I like the way Rick handled Tasha, but it wasn't as good as when Dwayne had to check Whitley on A Differant World. Kadeem was much more macho, forceful and sexy in his delivery. But it's still good that he stood up to her and let her know what was really up.

I guess they are going to drag this Malik/Robin situation out a little longer. I'm cool with it for a minute, but I want my single player Malik back sooner than later. If Mariah and Nick are any indication, a fake marraige doesn't help anyone's career. I personally don't think the marraige is fake, but I know many people do. What I do know is that they appear to be on an extended honeymoon and if Nick has done any work outside of occasional DJ gigs since they got married, I don't know about it. So what fake marraige led to the couple getting more acting gigs? Robin is right about one thing; actors are losing parts to lesser qualified rappers and singers. Some of them are really great actors, but a lot of them are not. I'm certainly not crazy about that trend nor the trend of pretty actresses stealing the covers of high fashion magazines from models. Things are certainly askew, but I don't think a fake marraige is going to do anything but get her a reality show.

There wasn't a lot of drama going on this week. That's ok because the first two weeks were completely off the chain and more than enough to tie me over until things pick up again next week. The Director's Cut and the Preview for next week's show are already posted on The CW site and it looks like its going to be good. As bad as I want Janay to take a flying leap, I am glued to the screen whenever she is on the show. I guess waiting for an anvil to fall on her head or something. She'll be back next week bringing the drama and I can't wait to hate on her as usual.

Season 3: Episode 2 Ratings

Previous week's ratings: EHC - 2.1 million, The Game - 1.91 million viewers


On the surface things might seem ok. Unlike Everybody Hates Chris, The Game held on to it's season premiere ratings for the most part. The reality of the situation is that maintaining the same low ratings is not going to keep this show on the air.

The Game has numerous factors working against it's survival. Priviledged, EHC and The Game are The CW's worst performing shows. If they ever need to make room for new programming one of these shows would have to go. With the network not putting much advertising into the show one can't help but think they want it on the chopping block.

Another problem for The Game is that it's lead-in show, Everybody Hates Chris, is a lower rated show that targets much younger viewers and their parents. EHC is hysterical and I enjoy it, but just isn't a good match for the very adult themed The Game. They actually need to make two new sitcoms to match with them and they don't necessarily have to be black shows. One has to be youth oriented to run with EHC in the 8:00 hour and the other one needs to be adult oriented to team up with The Game at 9:00. Oh yeah, and they need to be realistic CW. Not the rich, pretty, skinny, white teen shows that 1% of the population can relate to that you've been going with here lately.

The network itself is The Game's biggest problem. In a pefect world, the show would go to another network where it can get some exposure. On all of the other major networks about the lowest ratings a prime time show will get is 5.5 million viewers. The two highest rated CW shows, Smallville and ANTM, barely break 4 million viewers on a great night. Oddly enough the now cancelled Smackdown that used to air on Fridays was consistantly at 4 million viewers or more. I guess ratings don't mean much to The CW if the majority of the viewers are not teenaged girls. I just don't know how much longer the network can survive and it would be a crime if The Game got dragged down with it. Mara, shop your show girl!

For now we have to keep fighting for this show. We have to keep those letters going to The CW asking for promotion for the show and even demanding more diversity in their lineup. Teenaged girls make up a very small portion of America. They need to fire the high ranking pimply faced kid that keeps taking the network down the path to nowhere and hire someone who knows how to run a network. If the person is not young then they have no excuse at all for this network repeating the same failing formula over and over again.

Previous week's ratings: EHC - 2.1 million, The Game - 1.91 million viewers

Season 3: Episode 2 Recap

Mara and the crew continued the onslaught of bombs tonight. My my my, how long can they keep this up? I assume the time will come when it's coasting along with boring episodes sprinkled in here and there, but that time has not come yet and there is the promise of future bombs.

Initially it seemed Tasha was right about Melanie being too hard Janay, but now, who knows? It was revealed that Janay had indeed cheated on Derwin while in Miami and if she did it then she could have done it before. Plus I'm not sure I'm buying that whole "she's too old to take the paternity test" nonsense. So we'll see on that one.

How adorable was that scene when Derwin was singing to Mel? How could she leave him after that? It seems they are reaching solid ground. Thank goodness they wrapped up Mel's denial stage in this episode. It was starting to get a little crazy.

The Jerome scene was really cute. People like to pretend that these kind of things only happen to Jerry Springer types. Even when it's happening in our lives we feel ashamed for being in a Jerry Springer situation. The fact is, despite whatever codes may exist friends sleep with friends ex's sometimes for a variety of reasons. That situation is not exclusive to the trailer park or the projects. At least this situation was good for everyone involved. Jerome got a little revenge for being cheated on and dumped, Mel got her just desserts and Dionne got a much needed romp with a gorgeous man. She was wrong, but I'm accepting her explanation and apology since she knew all along that Mel really wanted Derwin.

It looks like things are about to pop off with Jason and Kelly. His stubbornness has been impenetrable and for some reason I don't see him letting up anytime soon. It's really interesting how seriously they take music on this show. Sometimes I get the impression that the idea for a scene comes from a song. I fell in love with John Mayer's Dreaming With a Broken Heart when they had it playing during both Derwin and Melanie's wakeup scenes the day after the breakup. Heather Headley's I'll Always Be His Lady was perfect for the scenes where Mel and Derwin ran into each other at the convenience store and when Mel popped up over his house for a passionate kiss after the convenience store scene. That Bobby Womack song was so Jason. Sure you know your woman is suffering without you even if she is the one who left, but what man plays If You Think You're Lonely Now to woo his woman back? Jason, that's who. Seeing her dancing provocatively probably won't break him. Jason is the type to get revenge.

Next week we can look forward to Malik and Tasha finally hashing things out. Of course she's right about him stupidly marrying Robin Givens on a whim without a prenup. I'm expecting him to come to that realization quickly.

So what did you think about tonight's episode? Would you have forgiven Dionne? Do you think Janay is preggers with Derwin's baby? How long do you think this Malik/Robin debacle is going to last?

www.MalikWright.com

What is going on? I'm totally confused. First it looks like The CW is ignoring the show and then they come up with the marketing scheme of the century, perhaps. Somehow, I can see them not using it to it's full potential, but it's still cutting edge innovation at it's finest.

The Game gets no love from The CW. That's a given. Not only do they not promote the show in TV ads, but they rarely promote it on the network's main web page. The Game itself didn't get a mention on The CW's main page until a couple of days before the season premiere, but www.malikwright.com is being promoted there now after having been mentioned in the season premiere.

*SPOILER ALERT* - this paragraph contains season 3 show information that has not aired yet.

It makes perfect sense. Many of us know that Malik will struggle with gay rumors this season. They could have made us aware of the rumors by having Malik and other characters looking at the news on their computers, in papers or by watching TV like they did when Malik hit the wheelchair-bound comic strip writer. While they will likely still do all those things, I got a funny feeling the Malik Wright site and blog will play heavily in that story line. Has that ever been done before?

*END OF SPOILER*

I don't know how they are going to do it, but I tried to post a comment on the blog and it was not posted so if they are going to allow fan participation it hasn't happened yet. They should allow fan participation. Can you imagine how much the ratings would blow up if fans were allowed to get involved in the story? Why do you think Idol and the like are so popular? Because fan participation is a big part of those shows. The fans are important and they get to feel important when they are allowed to participate.

It may seem like too much effort, but they could also team up with one or more of the popular black entertainment blogs to create the stories about Malik. Of course their would be a disclaimer stating that Malik is a fictional character and the blog is a part of the story line on The Game. They could turn off the comments and only have comments written by the show's writers or allow only select bloggers who are on a preferred list to post comments. Sure The CW would have to pay for the advertising, but I have learned that urban blog ads are cheap cheap cheap despite the fact that they get millions of hits. They cater to the exact same demographic as The Game and would be well worth the small expense.

As for the Malik Wright blog, the comments should be open to the public. That would make it seem more authentic and get the fans engaged. They can continue to moderate the comments and only post those that fit in the story line. As an avid blogger I know that even a crummy blog can be brought to life by the witty, mostly mean spirited comments. I just think those comments should be real. Bloggers would love the opportunity to rip a guy like Malik to shreds.

If used properly this could change the game in Hollywood the same way Idol and reality shows did. If The Game ratings skyrocket because of this marketing scheme it would be huge news for The CW that brings in money for the struggling network. I really hope they use this for all it's worth and they really need to start advertising on these urban blogs. It's too cheap to pass up.

Season 3 Premiere Ratings: Last But Not Least

The Game has kicked off the first week of ratings with a bang. But the real success story is Everybody Hates Chris. They had a phenomenal increase in ratings compared to last season and in fact beat The Game by 200k viewers this week. The ratings bump on both shows comes on the heels of a marketing campaign that consisted of 2 ads per week during America's Next Top Model for about 4 weeks and nothing else. Both shows have out performed Privileged and EHC beat this week's Gossip Girl and The Game ran neck and neck with it.

Now maybe I'm crazy but if your two neglected red headed step children shows are getting higher ratings or running neck and neck with shows that get all the stops pulled out in terms of marketing shouldn't someone at least be taking another look at the network's priorities? What am I not getting here? Isn't money the bottom line? Can you imagine what The Game could do if it had the marketing budget of Gossip Girl or 90210? Way better than they're doing with it that's for sure and probably at least as good as ANTM because The Game appeals to a much larger demographic.

So here are the ratings. I know they are very low compared to other networks, but that is always the case with The CW. ANTM is the network's top rated show and it's always in last place in ratings for it's time slot. What's important to note is that The Game's season 2 finale had 1.5 million viewers and the season 3 premiere had 1.9 million. It's down from this time last season, but the ratings decreased after the writer's strike and have kinda been working their way back up every since. EHC was lingering in the 1.2 million range last season so a jump to 2.1 is totally insane. Lets keep getting that word out so the ratings can keep increasing. So far everything we have been working toward has been working. If only we could get The CW on board.