Wendy Raquel Robinson Dishes on the End of “The Game” (Exclusive)

03 Jun, 2015

Mara Brock Akil’s The Game has been a fan favorite since its 2006 premiere on the CW.  A fierce and immediate backlash followed after being dropped from the network three years later in 2009. Following an on-line petition, BET picked up the show and saw an immediate return on its investment when the season 4 premiere made cable history with a record-breaking 7.7 million viewers.

Wendy Raquel Robinson who plays Tasha Mack has been with the show from the start. Her role as a teenaged mother turned agent to her famed NFL quarterback son left the audience with weekly puns that became so popular they garnered their own hashtag, #tashamacksays.

The Trending Report talked with Robinson who gave us details on the final taping, how the cast said good-bye and what’s next for her after spending 9 years with The Game.

TR: After 9 seasons, what can you tell us about how the show will end?

WRR: I’m the last shot of the series and it’s quite sobering.  Normally, at the beginning of the script it says ‘end of show’ and this one had to say ‘end of series’ and it’s like wow, there you have it. Everything isn’t wrapped up in a wonderful bow and presented in a wonderful way for everybody but there are some relationship answers…do they live happily ever after or not? I will say Mara Brock Akil was definitely able to bring some of the characters full circle.

TR: You’ve been on the show since the start so I know the end must have been emotional for you?

WRR: What’s so interesting is that we film on quarters so my last scene was actually one of the first scenes that we shot when we came back-it’s just the way that everything works.

I think the most emotional part is after each character had wrapped out their scene, and after all of the work of the season, they brought out a huge tray with champagne glasses and they toasted each character. Mara had her words to say about the journey. It was so emotional.

We all had a platform to speak to the creators and crews who worked so hard. A lot of time they don’t get the notoriety that they deserve so we were able to really pay homage to everybody and show how team work really made this dream work.

I never had the opportunity to do that after a show and it felt really special.

TR: What are some of your favorite memories of the show?

WRR: In terms of episode and story line I had the most fun with the whole Rick and Pookie, going back and forth and getting caught up in that world wind. It was electrifying being torn up between two fantastic men. I had a ball doing that!

And when we first started, those early days with the live audience. The adrenaline with that. Those episodes were a hoot and a holler.  The stories and the story lines and the twists and just discovering what’s going to be new. I don’t like to be told so I was always waiting until I got the script. I wanted to go on the ride and be present. It was a joy to find out.

TR: Was that a part of the fan loyalty?

WRR: Yes, these were characters that we all can identify with. We were flawed and funny but we were humanized. No one was living a perfect life. More money, more problems and we got through it. It may not have been the right way all the times but we got through it. Even with the criticisms all in all our fans stayed with us and I hope they enjoy this last season as well and be proud of it.

Getting to know the REAL Jay Ellis-See our interview with Bryce “The Blueprint” Westbrook HERE

TR: What’s next for you?

WRR: I’m playing Cruella de Vil in Disney’s The Descendants. I’m so excited about it! Those kids are so talented and the role is amazing. I’m definitely looking forward to it.

B.Owusu

Image BET.com

Mentioned In This Post: @TheGameBET