Celebrity Poker’ appears a good bet
I thought I had actually escaped the latest reality-TV trend.
But a couple of weeks ago, I flipped past Bravo on a rerun-heavy Thursday night, came across “Celebrity Poker Showdown” and, not five minutes in, I was hooked.
Poker seems as if it would be defiantly unfilmable, but it’s all over cable these days. Maybe it started with “the executive game” that Tony Soprano runs, but now it’s a full-blown trend.
Most nights of the week, you can find celebrities, professionals, amateurs or some combination of the three playing Texas Hold ‘Em on TV, complete with hushed-voice commentators and table-level microcams that allow viewers to peek at the cards.
The appeal of this show, though, combines the game itself with celebrity banter. Unlike some of the Vegas tournament shows, this one makes very clear that the celebs are supposed to be entertaining. Former MIT whiz kid James Woods seemed like the favorite the night I got sucked in, but Mo Gaffney got all the laughs.
Danny Masterson had the Zen cool of his character on “That ‘70s Show,” but it was “The West Wing’s” Dule Hill who raked in the big pile of chips at the end. And a good time was had by all.
You could also say it’s calming TV — livelier than golf but perfectly couch-potato-friendly.
The two-hour installment tonight at 9 features Matthew Perry – maybe it’ll be like “Friends,” but with only the good parts, where he’s cracking wise, and none of the David Schwimmer nonsense. “Lord of the Rings” star Sean Astin is also on board, along with Lauren Graham of “The Gilmore Girls,” who seems certain to be a live wire, and Chris Masterson, Danny’s brother, who’s on “Malcolm in the Middle.”
Besides, what else are you going to watch?
Highlights
“CSI: Miami,” CBS at 8: Repeat about a guy who tortures Cuban refugees.
“Friends,” NBC at 8: Maria Pitillo guests as the social worker who’ll examine Chandler and Monica’s fitness as prospective adoptive parents. Repeat.
“Pepsi Smash,” WB at 8: Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Aerosmith are among the performers. Followed by a repeat of “Summerland.”
“Come to Papa,” NBC at 8:30: Tom saves the life of a rich guy, played by John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld’s” J. Peterman). Not a repeat, and yet the whole show feels like one.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CBS at 9: When a woman who looks like Sara is found dead, Grissom becomes especially intense about solving the case. Repeat.
“Will & Grace,” NBC at 9: Repeat. Will wants to hit on guest Dylan McDermott.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 9: Much-honored filmmaker Ofra Bikel looks at the prosecutorial deal with the devil known as “The Plea.”
“Scrubs,” NBC at 9:30: Repeat, testing the old theory that the flutter of a butterfly’s wings can change everything.
“Without a Trace,” CBS at 10: Bounty hunter goes missing. Ironic, no? Repeat.
“ER,” NBC at 10: Repeat. Dr. Carter returns from Africa with his new girlfriend (Thandie Newton) in tow.
Family Fare
“Stitch! The Movie” (2003), Disney Channel at 8: More adventures of the cheery blue alien and his Earth friend Lilo. Repeats at 9:15.
Cable Cast
Croc Week continues, Animal Planet at 8: It may be Croc Week, but tonight’s quarry is the Tiger Shark. Go figure.