‘Celebrity Poker Showdown’ is flush with B-list royalty

Fri., July 23, 2004

Kim Harwell DallasNews.com

What it is: Imagine getting together with your buddies for a friendly game of no-limit Texas hold ‘em. Now imagine that your buddies include such B-list Hollywood personalities as Jerry O’Connell, Jason Bateman and Kathy Griffin. And that poker great Phil Gordon and former Kid in the Hall Dave Foley are on hand to talk smack about all the boneheaded moves you and your pals make. Finally, imagine that it’s videotaped and broadcast nearly ‘round the clock on Bravo. Congratulations – you’ve just imagined the latest season of “Celebrity Poker Showdown.”

What it’s all about: Poker fever seems to have caught most of America in its sweaty, chip- clenching grip. Home games are popping up around the nation with more frequency than J.Lo’s exes, while serious players wait hours to take a seat at casino poker tables.

“Celebrity Poker Showdown” combines America’s longstanding fascination with the sorta-famous and its newfound rediscovery of the so-called “Cadillac of poker” – no-limit Texas hold ‘em – for a show that is much more entertaining than it has any right to be. (Check out Bravo’s “CPS” Web site at www.bravotv.com/ Celebrity_Poker_Showdown/ for a tutorial on Texas hold ‘em with expert Gordon.)

Why we like it: Part of the credit goes to the “pocket cam,” the innovation that shows viewers which cards a player is holding and that makes the game a viable spectator sport. Part of the credit lies in the fun of watching heads-up show-downs between such unlikely celebrity couplings as Dave “I married Carmen Electra” Navarro (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction) and Richard “I’m friends with George Clooney” Kind (“Spin City”). And a big part belongs to star-crossed co-hosts Foley and Gordon.

The yin-yang of poker ace Gordon’s insider knowledge of the game and Foley’s often mean-spirited wit makes the current season enjoyable to card sharks and fish alike.

Although most of the contestants hail from the “where do I know him from?” school of celebrity (think Michael Ian Black or Chris Masterson), the show sometimes attracts bona fide stars, such as Matthew Perry or Martin Sheen. And honestly, where else are you likely to find “Sex and the City” sidekick Willie Garson besting such Hollywood A-listers as Ben Affleck and David Schwimmer?

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