Reality TV AllStars to Appear On Celebrity Poker Showdown

On Thursday, August 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m./ET), Bravo's hit original series "Celebrity Poker Showdown" will return for an all new tournament featuring twenty-five stars competing for $250,000 for charity.

The tournament will consist of six all new, two-hour episodes. Poker pro Phil Gordon will once again team up with host Dave Foley as the stars ante up for another round of high stakes Texas Hold 'Em.

'Celebrity Poker Showdown' has embodied Bravo's mantra of bringing viewers a glimpse at another side of Hollywood," said Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo. "This showcase of arts and pop culture personalities continues to capture the unique mix of intensity and hilarity that has been able to define itself as a cornerstone in Bravo programming."

Filmed in front of a live audience in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, each episode of "Celebrity Poker Showdown" features five celebrities competing against each other for the chance to win a $250,000 prize 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 finale. Bravo viewers will have the inside track on the hands the different players hold via hidden cameras. They will also be able to hear commentary from the eliminated players, who will watch the remainder of their respective matches from the 'Loser's Lounge,' via closed circuit television.

The players are:
Game 1 (Reality All-Stars)- Premieres: Thursday, August 18
Jonny Fairplay ("Survivor: Pearl Islands"), Andrew Firestone ("The Bachelor"), Charla Pihlstrom ("Amazing Race"), Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth ("The Apprentice"), Trishelle Cannatella ("The Real World").

Game 2 - Premieres: Thursday, August 25
Cheryl Hines, Anthony Anderson, Michael Vartan, Amber Tamblyn, Alex Trebek

Game 3 (Boys Night Out) - Premieres: Thursday, September 1
Howie Mandel, Meatloaf, Stephen Collins, Bryan Cranston, Peter Dinklage

Game 4 (Ladies Night) - Premieres: Thursday, September 8
Kathy Najimy, Caroline Rhea, Sharon Lawrence, Kathryn Morris, Ricki Lake

Game 5 (Rosie & Friends) - Premieres: Thursday, September 15
Rosie O'Donnell, Mo Gaffney, Travis Tritt, Eddie Cibrian, Penny Marshall

Game 6 Championship Finale - Premieres: Thursday, September 22

All players are guaranteed at least $5,000 in prize money for their chosen charity. Just for making it to the finals, fifth place will win $7,500, fourth place will win $10,000, third place will win $12,500 and second place will walk away with $20,000 for their charity. The "Celebrity Poker Showdown" champion will walk away with $100,000 for the charity of their choice.

"Celebrity Poker Showdown" is hosted by comedian/actor Dave Foley joined by expert poker commentator Phil Gordon. Gordon is a world class poker player who has won $1,150,000 in poker tournaments in the last two years including a fourth place finish in the 2001 World Series of Poker, a first place finish in the World Poker Tour: Aruba (professional division) in 2002 and most recently a first place finish at the World Poker Tour: Bay 101 Shooting Stars Tournament.

The winners of the first five "Celebrity Poker Showdown" tournaments have been Nicole Sullivan ("King of Queens"), Maura Tierney ("ER"), Seth Myers ("Saturday Night Live"), Mekhi Phifer ("ER") and Brad Garrett ("Everybody Loves Raymond").

"Celebrity Poker Showdown" is produced by Picture This Television in association with Bravo. Marcia Mul?, Bryan Scott and Lisa M. Tucker. Andrew Hill Newman and Joshua Malina ("The West Wing") are the executive producers. Beck's Premier Light is the official sponsor of "Celebrity Poker Showdown."

News Added: 08 July, 2005

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