| Melanie Barnett | |
|---|---|
| The Game character | |
 Tia Mowry as Melanie Barnett | |
| First appearance | "The Game" (April 17, 2006) |
| Last appearance | "Pow Pow Pow!" (August 5, 2015) |
| Created by | Mara Brock Akil |
| Portrayed by | Tia Mowry |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Melanie Barnett-Davis |
| Nickname | Mel, Med School, Girl Melanie |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Student |
| Family | James Barnett (father) Grace Barnett (mother) Cameron Barnett (brother) Joan Clayton (cousin) |
| Spouse | Derwin Davis |
| Children | Derwin Davis Jr (step-son, with Derwin) twin son and daughter (with Derwin) |
| Nationality | American |
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. 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. The series focuses primarily on Melanie and Derwin's complicated relationship, with her fears of his infidelity at the center of many of the episodes' storylines. 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. Both actors reprised their roles in the series finale, in which Melanie gives birth to twins.
Melanie was created by producer Mara Brock Akil. While casting the character, Brock Akil had doubts about whether Mowry would be the best choice, given her wholesome image from starring as Tia Landry on the sitcom Sister, Sister, but hired the actress based on her strong work ethic and her desire to be part of the series. Mowry considered the character to be her first adult role and felt it emphasized her individuality and maturity. She identified closely with the part, observing parallels between Melanie's relationship with Derwin and her own marriage to actor Cory Hardrict. She cited The Game as an example of women receiving more lead roles on television.
Reaction to Melanie was primarily negative; critics expressed disapproval of her decision to support her boyfriend instead of enrolling in medical school. Media commentators also panned the character's representation as a mother, such as her inability to properly care for her stepson. On the other hand, fans responded positively to Melanie and felt drawn to her relationship with Derwin. Mowry's performance received positive feedback from critics, who agreed that the role displayed her maturity as an actress. She received nominations for two NAACP Image Awards and a Teen Choice Award for the role.
- ^ Wilson, Britney. "Time Out: What Ever Happened to the Sunbeam Sisterhood?'". Clutch. Sutton Media. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
- ^ Whaley, Natelege (June 28, 2015). "Pooch Hall and Tia Mowry Will Return for The Game Series Finale". BET. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.