Major TV Network Has New Poker Plans

Published: Friday, July 22, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

MAJOR TV NETWORK HAS NEW POKER PLANS

Several shows in production for Fall airing in the US.

Several big, poker-related shows are in the works from the popular American TV network GSN, formerly known as the Game Show Network.

The shows are an extension of the current fad for broadcasting live poker events, and will air in the U.S. Fall.

GSN will begin taping its first show, "The James Woods Gang Vs The Unabombers in Poker Royale," on Monday, July 25 at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California.

The show features an all-star line-up with James Woods and Kathy Leibert leading a team of players in a No Limit Hold'em match against Phil 'Unabomber" Laak, his partner and 2005 Women's WSOP champion, Jennifer Tilly and actor Brad Garrett of "Everybody Loves Raymond," fame. The series is scheduled for Friday nights as part of GSN's Casino Night.

On July 27, GSN production starts on "Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages," a unique event that pits the world's top players over age 60 versus the top six poker players under 30.

Among the veterans will be TJ Cloutier (six WSOP bracelets), Dan Harrington (earned $2.14 million in consecutive WSOP appearances), Gabe Kaplan (Welcome Back Kotter, commentator from NBC's Heads Up Championship), Barbra Enright (Best all around player 2002 Legends of Poker), Maureen Feduniak (2003 winner World Poker Tour Ladies Night), and Wendeen Eolis (4th place at 2004 Legends of Poker Ladies Night).

The under 30 line-up features some of today's hottest players with hotshots like Michael Gracz (2005 WSOP bracelet winner), Erin Ness (2nd place Poker Royale: Young Bloods), Evelyn Ng (2nd place WPT Ladies Night), Kasey Thompson (poker pro), and Dutch Boyd (11th place in 2003 WSOP).

GSN has also ordered a pilot shoot for "Annie Duke Takes on the World," a Duke-produced show in which four amateurs compete to play Duke heads up.

There's no shortage of talent in the GSN productions - the highly respected Phil Helmuth and producer R.J. Culter are teaming up to create a series that teaches amateurs the skills of poker. No futher details are available on this project yet.