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Parents' Guide to

The Game (2021)

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Solid reboot has drinking, cursing, smoking, mature themes.

TV Paramount+ Drama 2021
The Game (2021) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • The Game TV Show: Discussing an issue.
  • The Game TV Show: Working for clients.
  • The Game TV Show: Talking to pros.

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

jermaineyoung
jermaineyoung Adult
January 10, 2022
age 16+

Minorities Mental Health in the Media

Though the tone of the show has varied dramatically since its inception way back in 2014 the heart of the series has remained. The Game, a show highlighting the unsung heroes of professional sports; spouses, friends, families, the community, returns once again to shine a bright light on those we seldom think about when it comes to the limelight and stardom. The Game strikes a unique balance between drama and comedy while not allowing its subjects to be diluted by the rhetoric or situation. The Game handles VERY mature subject matters such as adult abstinence, recreational drug use, police profiling, and racism which are definitely not suitable for younger viewers. Older viewers may enjoy the humor however the content is a wonderful springboard for conversations families wouldn't normally find means to communicate. The Game is grounded in a way that feels authentic and the deep overarching focus on mental health and minorities is especially refreshing being that mental health is still a major unaddressed issue within many minority communities. The message was not only presented well but it was also taken seriously and realistically. The Game is entertaining and endearing and I'd recommend it to anyone ages 16 and above.
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What's the Story?

THE GAME (2021), a reboot of the popular series of the same name, revolves around the lives of people navigating the professional football community. Sports agent Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson) and her son and client, football player Malik Wright (Hosea Chanchez), have relocated to Sin City from San Diego in order to work with the city's new (fictitious) club, the Vegas Fightin' Fury. Meanwhile, Brittany Pitts (Adriyan Rae), the adult daughter of superstar football player Jason Pitts (played by Coby Bell), suddenly finds herself trying to rebuild her financial life with the help of her friend and aspiring singer Raquel Navarro (Analisa Velez). She crosses paths with Jamison Fields (Vaughn W. Hebron), a talented athlete struggling get into the league, while trying to live with a career-ending criminal conviction. They're all doing what they can to find success, but the path to fame and fortune isn't easy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The dramatic comedy presents a new chapter in The Game story world, and like previous ones, offers it from the point of view of Black culture and community. Characters like Tasha Mack, Malik Wright, and Derwin Williams (played by Pooch Hall) provide a sense of continuity, while appealing to the franchise's original fan base. Meanwhile, the introduction of new, well-rounded characters and contemporary plot lines, ranging from football-related medical problems like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) to broader issues like racism and COVID, keeps it feeling relevant and fresh, and allows a new generation of viewers to begin following the narrative with ease. Granted, the overall series is more dramatic than it is comedic, making it feel a bit like a soap opera at times. Nonetheless, this installment of The Game is entertaining, and will not disappoint.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way the Black community is portrayed throughout the series. Does it manage to do so without relying on racial stereotypes? If so, how?

  • What changes do producers have to make to a TV series in order to reboot it for a new generation of viewers? How can they do this without alienating fans of the original show? Are the producers of this version of The Game successful in this endeavor?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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