GSN High Stakes Poker

Hard to imagine them ruining the greatest tv show ever, yet they seem determined. Not sure Gabe Kaplan was *ever* funny, but if he was it was before most of us were born. Not that AJ Benza was Vince Van Patton, but he did a serviceable job as a straight-man to GK's 1920's references. So they got rid of the wrong guy, and replaced him with yet another bimbo who asks the most pointless, cringe-worth questions. "So Phil, you just lost $200k...how do you feel?" They should just let the player's mics run and fire the announcers.

Kaplan's humor must just be hard for some to get. He's (always been) clever and corny at the same time, as well as a very good poker player to boot. I think he gives insight to their plays better than almost any other announcer could, being as he has played those stakes, with those players, for years.

I agree with you about the chick being clueless & AJ Benza being a good sidekick, though.

joosebuck said:

Kaplan's humor must just be hard for some to get. He's (always been) clever and corny at the same time, as well as a very good poker player to boot. I think he gives insight to their plays better than almost any other announcer could, being as he has played those stakes, with those players, for years.

I agree with you about the chick being clueless & AJ Benza being a good sidekick, though.

Click to expand...

>>>

Maybe if he took some pop-culture lessons or something...throw in some Brittiny Spears or Tom Cruise jokes instead of Groucho Marx or Louis Armstrong. And yeah, he knows the game, but it's *real* easy to criticise those guy's play when you can see all the cards.

And I don't want to say the girl is "clueless". She may be, but the whole: "let's have a hot chick interview the losers" thing sucked from Day 1. Maybe if it was Annie Duke, asking some *real* poker questions...but the whole bimbo thing is just ridiculous. While I'm on that particular soapbox...as a red-blooded American male, I like a hot chick in a bikini as much as the next guy, but I find it insulting that a lot of the sites/magazines/shows/etc feel that it's *necessary*. I read/watch/play for the *poker*.

Why does he need pop-culture lessons? Frankly, I'm sick of all of the *insert word here* Movies (eg Date Movie, Disaster Movie, Epic Movie) that unsuccessfully play off of pop-culture satire constantly. His humor is on more of a timeless level than that. I'll admit that he's goofy, of course, but I'd prefer that over the easy go-to paris hilton/clinton/michael jackson jokes.

joosebuck said:

Why does he need pop-culture lessons? Frankly, I'm sick of all of the *insert word here* Movies (eg Date Movie, Disaster Movie, Epic Movie) that unsuccessfully play off of pop-culture satire constantly. His humor is on more of a timeless level than that. I'll admit that he's goofy, of course, but I'd prefer that over the easy go-to paris hilton/clinton/michael jackson jokes.

Click to expand...

<<<

Wasn't my point at all. He *makes* "pop-culture" references- from the 1930's.

sorry i don't think they'll get rid of kaplan just because you don't like him.
believe it or not a lot of people like him and i think he's very entertaining and cute. so there, hahahahahaha epsi: have a pepsi it will do you some good. gl

paumarhas said:

sorry i don't think they'll get rid of kaplan just because you don't like him.
believe it or not a lot of people like him and i think he's very entertaining and cute. so there, hahahahahaha epsi: have a pepsi it will do you some good. gl

Click to expand...

>>>

A lot of people like Pee-Wee Herman, Joan Rivers, Barney and Bill Maher. No accounting for taste.

Ah, I see what you mean then. I think they could do a lot worse, though. AJ Benza was alright... but his deadpan style (combined with only a mild sense of humor) wouldn't have been strong enough to carry the show.

At least Helmuth isn't the host.

My favorite announcing duo ever was Phil Gordon and Dave Foley on that old celebrity holdem show a few years back on bravo. Gordon has a knack for relating poker things to the everyman, as well as taking it in depth; meanwhile, Foley is just awesome (can you tell i'm a Kids in The Hall fan?).

joosebuck said:

Ah, I see what you mean then. I think they could do a lot worse, though. AJ Benza was alright... but his deadpan style (combined with only a mild sense of humor) wouldn't have been strong enough to carry the show.

At least Helmuth isn't the host.

My favorite announcing duo ever was Phil Gordon and Dave Foley on that old celebrity holdem show a few years back on bravo. Gordon has a knack for relating poker things to the everyman, as well as taking it in depth; meanwhile, Foley is just awesome (can you tell i'm a Kids in The Hall fan?).

Click to expand...

>>>

"I'm crushing your head!". I like Foley, but you could fit all his and AJ's poker knowledge into a thimble. Love Gordon. I played against his sister once. She's almost as tall. Hated that show though. 1/2 the people had NO idea how to play. LOve HSP. I think that, even if you weren't into poker, you'd find the idea of people risking $100k+ of real $ rather fascinating. To see Doyle Brunson cut a steak, pop some in his mouth, then make a $100k call is freaking insane. Yeah...PH would be even worse than Kaplan.

I like Gabe, but what do I know. When I was 13 I wanted to be a sweathog. Gabe may be corny but he is spontanious and I'm sure there are some limits to what he's allowed to say and the man does know his poker. Once you get away from all the vaudeville crap he does a a credible job of providing insight into what's likely to be going through the players minds during the hand.

Benza was about as funny as a fart in a space suit. At least Kara Scotts got a nice rack.

BTW, I loved Celebrity Poker Showdown. Dennis Rodman was a genius.

I agree. This WAS the most entertaining poker program ... WHAT DID THEY DO ??? This new move was really a bad one and made the show must less entertaining. It's still good poker, but Gabe was much more entertaining with AJ at his side. Also Kara doesn't seem to add much to the show besides a bit of eye candy. (Might not be her fault but rather the writers/producers.) They are lucky there is not too much ( ANY ) competition on sun night for poker shows or they would prob loose a lot of viewers.

Phil Gordon would be awesome, I don't mind Gabe but after like 5 seasons of AJ commenting I feel like theres a awkward silence everytime Gabe speaks and AJ doesnt.

poker d player said:

I agree. This WAS the most entertaining poker program ... WHAT DID THEY DO ??? This new move was really a bad one and made the show must less entertaining. It's still good poker, but Gabe was much more entertaining with AJ at his side. Also Kara doesn't seem to add much to the show besides a bit of eye candy. (Might not be her fault but rather the writers/producers.) They are lucky there is not too much ( ANY ) competition on sun night for poker shows or they would prob loose a lot of viewers.

Click to expand...

>>>

Maybe. It's like the Superbowl...I'll watch either no matter how badly they try to get me to not want to .

I really like Gabe, and actually laughed out loud at a few of the jokes in episode 2 from season 6. He works better with Benza, but he's a really funny and talented guy on his own.

Kaplan and Benza worked good together. Still haven't watched it with her yet-can't stand to. Did you see her on PAD? Clueless...really. They interviewed her before the show and she went on about how she REALLY wanted to play with Kaplan...wouldn't stop slobbing on his knob. Obvious PR setup.

The format of the show is what I like. The hosts are great but I like the fact that it's just a cash game and not some sort of tournament point system.

Kara's interviews and Daniel's PS sponsored stories are just painful to watch. They should cut those bits and just add an extra 2 or 3 hands. I agree with you guys, why change the best poker show on tv?