LAS VEGAS — (PRESS RELEASE) — The NBC cable network Bravo begins taping
today the new season of its hit series "Celebrity Poker Showdown" at Harrah’s
New Orleans and announced plans to donate $1 million to charities benefiting
victims of Hurricane Katrina, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET) and Bravo
announced today.
Phil Hellmuth, winner of nine World Series of Poker® bracelets, will serve as
the series’ new poker commentator and co-host, along with comedian Dave Foley.
The all-new eighth tournament, featuring a million-dollar prize pool, will
premiere this spring.
"For the new season of ‘Celebrity Poker Showdown,’ we have decided to take
the series in a new direction and we could think of no better way than to
support the people of New Orleans," said Frances Berwick, senior vice president
of programming and production for Bravo. "In Phil Hellmuth we have found an
engaging, proven and renowned poker champion who we are confident will
complement Dave Foley’s comedic commentary and provide the insight our viewers
rely on."
"New Orleans is a city with a heart and soul like no other American city and
is widely considered the birthplace of poker in America, making it the ideal
place for our show," said executive producer Marcia Mule. "We are particularly
proud to be able to donate $1 million to charities that will help The Big Easy
recover from Hurricane Katrina."
"This alliance with Bravo adds to our global entertainment portfolio and
deepens our relationship with NBC Universal," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner
of the World Series of Poker and vice president of sports and entertainment
marketing for Harrah’s. "’Celebrity Poker Showdown’ is fun and entertaining and
we’re proud to host the upcoming season at Harrah’s New Orleans."
With nine World Series of Poker victories and more than 50 tournament titles
under his belt, Hellmuth’s poker legacy is secure. His list of achievements
began in 1989 when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event title at the age
of 24, becoming the youngest person to ever accomplish the feat, a record that
stills stands to this day. He has since amassed dozens of major tournament wins
internationally, including wins at The World’s Biggest Seven-card Stud
Tournament in Austria and Late Night Poker in Great Britain.
Bravo will be teaming up with Harrah’s to make Harrah’s New Orleans the new
official casino of "Celebrity Poker Showdown." The land-based casino closed
shortly before Hurricane Katrina made landfall near the city on August 29. The
building sustained storm damage, and was used by first responders as a base of
operations in the days following the storm. Repairs to the facility have been
completed and the casino re-opened on February 17.
"Hosting the Celebrity Poker Showdown is a great way to demonstrate to a
national television audience that New Orleans is open for business and ready to
receive guests," said Jim Hoskins, vice president and general manager of
Harrah’s New Orleans. "We know that Bravo will put on a good show, send a
positive message about our city, and create significant funding for hurricane
relief programs."
Filmed in front of a live audience, each episode of "Celebrity Poker
Showdown" features five celebrities competing against each other for the chance
to win thousands to donate to the charity of their choice. Each week, a new
group of celebrities meet at the table to go head to head until only one
remains. The winner from each week’s game will advance to the championship sixth
game. To date, "Celebrity Poker Showdown" has given away $2,450,000 to charities
around the world. All celebrities will be playing for charities benefiting
victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Celebrity Poker Showdown" is produced by Picture This Television in
association with Bravo. Marcia Mule, Bryan Scott and Lisa M. Tucker are the
executive producers.
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