ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND FOOTBALL

Baby Mama drama, illegal drug use and celebrity weddings make for must-see TV on season three of CW's "The Game," which follows a fictional NFL team and examines the personal lives of its players and their women. As usual, the show's hotheaded star quarterback Malik has something to say. Each week actor Hosea Chanchez breathes life into the athlete who recently married Robin Givens, who plays herself and is electric on-screen with Wendy Raquel Robinson who plays his mom and on-again, off-again manager. Chanchez shares with ESSENCE.com how Givens is far from the calculating roles she plays, what Tia Mowry's wedding taught him about love, and the secret to NFL players' success (hint: it includes you).

ESSENCE.COM: This season of "The Game" has been action packed, and now we have the new twist of your character Malik marrying Robin Givens. After working with her, what new things did you learn about her?

HOSEA CHANCHEZ: I was really intrigued by her. It was great to work and pick her brain and see what type of person she really is. She was nothing like I thought she would be. It was just a whole other layer to her that made her so much more interesting. She is the sweetest person on the planet and soft spoken. Most people think she is an extrovert and she is snappy and boisterous, but she's nothing like that. Hate to be disappointing, but she is acting to play herself, not that public persona that most people believe is the real Robin Givens. It's a fine line and she walked it.

ESSENCE.COM: So are you ready to walk down that aisle in real life after practicing with Robin Givens on the show?

CHANCHEZ: I definitely want to get married, but not anytime soon. I would not want to spend the rest of my life by myself. When you find the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with, you solidify it. I'm the type of guy who wants everyone to know, "it's mine." At the moment, I'm single. Doing this thing by myself gets a little hard, but it's coming. Watching Cory and Tia (Mowry)'s wedding, I really got to see how much this wedding meant to Tia. Tia just loved this guy so much that she wanted everybody close to her to see and experience this fairy tale under God and share in her day.

ESSENCE.COM: Wendy Raquel Robinson plays Tasha, your mom and on-again, off-again manager on the show, and you two have great chemistry even when you're arguing. How did you guys develop the bond we see on-screen?

CHANCHEZ: It came natural from the start. Our relationship began in the parking lot of CBS before I even had the part and we were testing. She reminded me so much of my real mom because my mom had me at a young age. I'm very familiar with having a mother that crosses the line between being my mom and my best friend. It just flowed. Sometimes it's hard to see when you have a mom that grew up with you versus a mom that [raised] you. It's hard to see her when she tries to be a mom because sometimes it just doesn't mix. I've learned, at the end of the day, she is still your mom. Since I've [matured], I've depended on my mom a lot more as a mom rather than as a friend.

ESSENCE.COM: What has been the response from real NFL football players to you about the show and what have you learned about their life?

CHANCHEZ: They love the show! I've not met one real NFL player that said something negative about it. They say, "Someone finally got it-it's so close to home." A lot of them started watching it through their wives, girlfriends or moms. What's relatable for a lot of these guys is that they come from underprivileged families. A lot of them have single moms, as a lot of us do in our communities. It's just the challenge and balance of going from nothing to something. Most of these guys are privileged, but they didn't come from that. The biggest epiphany for me has been these players are absolutely nothing without the women in their lives, whether it's a mother, sister or wife. I've interviewed or read biographies, some of the greatest of all time, and they all accredit their success to their women.

ESSENCE.COM: You seem to be completely different from your character Malik, who once punched a guy in a wheelchair. Do you think you would be friends with him?

CHANCHEZ: (Laughs.) I would. He's come a long way. In some ways, we are complete opposites and that is fun. [Daryl "Chill" Mitchell], who played the guy in the wheelchair, told me not to judge but to live my character [when I expressed] reservations about the scene. That's been with me ever since. Football players have a whole other life happening. I believe everyone should experience it because it's just that funny. What makes this show so interesting is that [the characters] are introduced and delivered through the eyes of the women. It's not just about football, which is why Mara [Brock Akil, the show's executive producer] is so smart. We are some of the lucky ones to be working and we are so grateful people are watching and telling their friends.

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THE GAME RETURNS

When it comes to the San Diego Sabers, on CW's "The Game," scoring touchdowns is half the story. The other part unfolds on the sidelines.
Here's the play-by-play: Melanie and Derwin are about to reconcile when Derwin's ex announces her pregnancy. Jason, now steroid-free, might have finally pushed his doting wife, Kelly, to the brink. Meanwhile, Tasha has been laid up with her coworker. Oh, and Malik, who's fired Tasha as his momager, has jumped the broom with none other than actress Robin Givens!
Although most of the actors play fictional characters, their problems mirror everyday life. Exploring those parallels is what executive producer Mara Brock Akil imagined when she created "The Game" three years ago. Now, she's got us staying tuned for more. According to the Nielsen Co., "The Game" dominates the half-hour comedy spot in Black households, which was left vacant last spring by Girlfriends, also Akil's brainchild. So who'll be winning off-field this season?
For the record, most folks are rooting for a Team Merwin reconciliation, but the often-strained interracial union between Kelly and Jason might not fare so well.
We're handing it to Akil for tackling the true-to-life image of the Black athlete who marries the White woman. "[On the show], we're very vocal about when a brother marries outside the race," says Akil. "That's what Tasha's character represents toward Kelly. But they've formed a friendship out of being bold, brash and confronting the race issue."
In case you've been agonizing over who's in for the long haul and who's throwing in the towel, do know that producer Akil feels your pain. "I hear the audience—and please put this in there—I know they want a happy, good couple," says Akil. "I want that, too, but I'm just showing the journey of how you get there."

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GET YOUR "GAME" ON

The cast of CW's The Game came out to celebrate at the season 3 Premiere Party in Hollywood this past weekend. The wait is almost over... Because the season premiere of "The Game" premieres Friday, October 3rd.

Without a doubt our favorite actor Hosea Chanchez was in attendance... looking swaggerific!

Terri J. Vaughn and Wendy Raquel Robinson were all smiles on the green carpet.

Creator of "The Game" Mara Brock Akil (L) and her husband Salim Akil. Mara has that pregnancy glow going on.

Pooch Hall

Coby Bell (R)

Malik's love interest from last season, Kendra Johnson, was there. (L)

Actress Shanti Lowry

P.J. Bryne, Terri J. Vaughn and her husband, Karon Riley.

Rick Fox and Executive Producer Kenny Smith

Lee Majors will be reprising his role as the Coach, shown here with his wife (R). Actor Sean Baker (L)

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EYE CATCHING

It is not hard to notice that Hosea has some serious style and swagger. But have you ever wondered what clothes or accessories he is rocking when he plays the star quarterback Malik on The CW’s hit sitcom “The Game”. Well wonder no more because HCU got YOU... With Summer officially here it's good as reason as any to upgrade those last season stunna shades.
In the episode “Je-Rome Wasn't Built In A Day” you can see Hosea rocking a fly pair of Brown DKNY sunglasses. Now you can cop these same DNKY DY 5026 sunglasses for a fraction of the price. Don't fret ladies the shades are unisex so you can get your stunna on too!
And if Aviator is not you style, remember that they really are no hard and fast rules when it comes to sunglasses fashion. It’s much more important to find a pair that compliment your face.

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IT'S 'GAME' TIME

Now that CW's series "The Game" is back with all new shows it's moved to a new time on Sunday's. You definitely don't want to miss the next episode in which NFL star Chad Johnson and Serena Williams guest stars. Here is a preview of what's to come:Malik (Hosea Chanchez) asks his publicist to set him up on a date with Serena Williams. Things go well between them until Serena mistreats one of Malik’s friends at a party. He considers breaking up with her, but Tasha (Wendy Raquel Robinson) asks Malik to hold off since she is trying to sign Serena as a client.
At Serena’s request, Tasha takes her to a Sunbeams meeting, where Serena is rude to everyone, causing Tasha to decide she no longer wants Serena as a client. However, Malik has decided he wants to continue dating Serena.
Malik schools Derwin (Pooch Hall) on the kind of girl he should be dating now that he’s a football star.

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