Those creative poker publicity minds have been working overtime to produce new ideas for the World Poker Tour, and celebrities aplenty are in store for the next TV series.
On Sunday, January 25 from 9-11 PM (ET/PT) Hollywood's inner circle will put it all on the table in the premiere episode of the WPT: Hollywood Home Game.
The stakes are high and the tension palpable as Hollywood superstars battle for bragging rights, $25,000 in charity donations and a coveted $25,000 seat in the WPT Championships.
"It is remarkable how many A-List celebrities and Hollywood muckety-mucks tell us they are addicted to our show," said executive producer and founder of the World Poker Tour, Steven Lipscomb. "The WPT Hollywood Home Game edition gives these celebs a chance to experience what it feels like to sit at WPT final table. At the same time, we have taken great care to preserve the relaxed feeling of a Hollywood home game. Six stars on a sound stage, with nothing between them but the chips and the felt."
To spice up the TV action, in each two-hour episode, the stars are given the option of using a "lifeline" to call upon two professional poker players for a bit of friendly advice.
Celebrities featured in the four-episode Hollywood Home Game include:
- Episode 1: Jack Black, Drew Carey, Fred Savage, Steve Harris, Mimi Rogers, Aisha Tyler;
- Episode 2: Lou Diamond Phillips, Fred Willard, Lolita Davidovich, Norm McDonald, Richard Karn, Camryn Manheim;
- Episode 3: Jennifer Tilly, Ming-Na, Joshua Morrow, James Woods, Robert Wuhl, Daniel Baldwin;
- Episode 4: Ben Affleck, Jon Favreau, Ed Asner, Mo Collins, Sharon Lawrence, Gary Busey.
The series, the most popular in Travel Channel history, continues to revolutionize televised poker. Through expert analysis, multiple camera angles, and the patented WPT Cam -- which shows close-ups of the players' hole cards -- the WPT has created a whole new element of high-stakes, high-anxiety excitement.
The WORLD POKER TOUR airs Wednesday nights from 9-11 PM (ET/PT), and season two is scheduled to premiere Wednesday, March 3, 2004.