Celebrity Poker Showdown Overview:
Each 2-hour episode of the show features 5 celebrities playing a no-limit Texas Hold'em tournament playing to win up to $100,000 for their chosen charity. The winner from each of the first 5 episodes goes on to compete in the championship 6th episode. As players are eliminated, they continue to be part of the show as they watch the rest of the game from the "Loser's Lounge."
Celebrity Poker Showdown: The Hosts:
When it debuted in 2003, the show's hosts were Phil Gordon and Kevin Pollack, but Pollack was quickly replaced with former "Kid in the Hall" Dave Foley in 2004, who remains the color commentator. Gordon decided to leave the show after season 7 in 2005, to be replaced with another Phil -- Phil "the poker brat" Hellmuth.
Celebrity Poker Showdown: The Players:
Celebrities come from all walks: From TV dramas & reality shows, comedians, sports stars, & movie stars. Many of the poker-playing celebs on the show have been bitten by poker bug and continue to play long after the taping ends, including Ben Affleck, Mimi Rodgers, Shannon Elizabeth, James Woods and Danny Masterson.
Celebrity Poker Showdown: The Winners at the Final Tables:
The following celebrities sat at the championship table each season:
- Season 7: Steven Culp, Barry Corbin, Dule Hill, Kevin Nealon, Wendy Pepper
- Season 6: Andrew Firestone, Stephen Collins, Kathy Najimy, Cheryl Hines, Eddie Cibrian
- Season 5: Jason Alexander, Brad Garrett, Bonnie Hunt, Colin Quinn, Malcolm-Jamal Warner
- Season 4: Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Nealon, Matthew Perry, Mekhi Phifer, Dennis Rodman
- Season 3: David Cross, Jeff Gordon, Steve Harris, Seth Meyers, David Navarro
- Season 2: Michael Ian Black, Rosario Dawson, Lauren Graham, Dulé Hill, Maura Tierney
- Season 1: David Cross, Willie Garson, Paul Rudd, Richard Schiff, Nicole Sullivan