Celebrity Poker Showdown on Bravo!

[Neuqua]

New season started tonight and I only have one question.


Why why why why why why why is Phil Gordon replaced by Helmuth!?! I thought Gordon was a very enjoyable commentator who genuinely got excited in big hands and brought a classy element to the show.

Uff.

[Desmond]

Hellmuth is making a run at the mainstream. He'll also be starring in the next edition of Surreal Life along with Randy Savage.

[Buccaneer]

My wife and I just caught a little bit of it until we couldn't figure who 2-3 of the players were and they were prattling on and on without telling us.

[Toddzilla]

Hellmuth = no watchy

[Jas_lov]

I beleive Phil Gordon left on his own to pursue a better TV gig with actual pros. I remember reading something about him saying he wanted to be on a show where people didn't bet 200 into a 5000 pot or something to that effect. Personally, I'd watch Phil Hellmuth over Phil Gordon anyday.

[k0ruptr]

as long as hellmuth isnt playing I'll watch

[Lathum]

I beleive Phil Gordon left on his own to pursue a better TV gig with actual pros. I remember reading something about him saying he wanted to be on a show where people didn't bet 200 into a 5000 pot or something to that effect. Personally, I'd watch Phil Hellmuth over Phil Gordon anyday.
you are correct about Gordon..

[larrymcg421]

I liked Gordon too, but I think Hellmuth will be entertaining. I've actually enjoyed him at times from a commentator's perspective. As for Dave Foley, I cannot stand him. He's just so grating, eventhough I've loved him elsewhere. I miss Kevin Pollak, the original celebrity host.

[rkmsuf]

after the first season novelty that show is unwatchable except for the tits

[RendeR]

after the first season novelty that show is unwatchable except for the tits

Wait....this show was about POKER???

[Maple Leafs]

I beleive Phil Gordon left on his own to pursue a better TV gig with actual pros. I remember reading something about him saying he wanted to be on a show where people didn't bet 200 into a 5000 pot or something to that effect.
But that was the whole appeal. Watching a poker pro have to sit there and say "Um, that was an interesting play by Bettis" without swallowing his own tongue.

[terpkristin]

I happened to be channel surfing just now and saw one of the new eps on Bavo.

Dave Foley looks even stupider than normal withoutthe mustache.
Don't know what to think about the new "poker expert," he looks like a tool. And sort of freaky/disturbing..

On an up note, I did recognize some of the celebs...Jason Alexander and the dad from Malcolm in the Middle. Didn't see any of the others.

/tk

[digamma]

I beleive Phil Gordon left on his own to pursue a better TV gig with actual pros. I remember reading something about him saying he wanted to be on a show where people didn't bet 200 into a 5000 pot or something to that effect. Personally, I'd watch Phil Hellmuth over Phil Gordon anyday.

From my friends in the business....Gordon did not leave on his own......

Take the battle of words between the talent and the network for what you want.

[Barkeep49]

From my friends in the business....Gordon did not leave on his own......

Take the battle of words between the talent and the network for what you want.
Gordon has made it clear how much he loved hosting the show on SEVERAL of ESPN's poker podcasts. He most certainly did not leave on his own terms.

[Neuqua]

Am I the only one who finds the way Helmuth smiles into the camera, kind of eery?

[Bearcat729]

But that was the whole appeal. Watching a poker pro have to sit there and say "Um, that was an interesting play by Bettis" without swallowing his own tongue.


So will some celeb be able to get Helmuth to throw a chair at a bad play?

[kcchief19]

The Hellmuth you get when he's doing commentary is completely different from the Hellmuth who plays. I actually think he's a great commentator -- it's just hard to separate the two sides of him.

As for the first episode review, hard to say. Foley and Gordon developed some chemistry after the first season. Clearly Hellmuth doesn't think Foley is as cute as Foley thinks he is. He seems uncomfortable with the jokey elements of the show.

Kevin Pollack also didn't leave the show on his own accord, if you believe what you hear. There were a lot of rumors -- and his on-air behavior would seem to support this -- that he was drunk most of the time. I thought he was horrible, and I like Kevin Pollack. I think Dave Foley is a bit jokey and self-deprecating -- he knows a lot more about poker than he lets on.

[kcchief19]

If you haven't seen Jennifer Tilly play poker, you really need to. I could watch Jennifer Tilly play poker all day long. Hell, I could watch Jennifer Tilly play dominoes or rock, paper, scissors all day long.

If she didn't talk, I'd be in love.

[Glengoyne]

Hellmuth is unbearable as a commentator. He won't shutup.

[Butter]

I like Dave Foley, but then I was (am) a huge Kids in the Hall and NewsRadio fan, so he could probably do just about anything and I would like it. I think one thing that perhaps makes this pairing a bit better than Foley/Gordon is that Hellmuth gives Foley more of a chance to poke holes in him... even if Hellmuth doesn't play along, it seems like Foley is more than willing to bring Hellmuth down a peg or two when he needs it. Like when Hellmuth said that there's no way that a Celebrity would lay down pocket J's pre-flop and Foley reminded him that one player had done it last season and had gone on to win.

That said, it would appear that Brett Butler needs to get back on the sauce or something.