Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown” was one of the most successful poker broadcasts of all time. The show pitted five celebrities per week against one another in a series of Texas Hold’ em tournaments that culminated in a final table. Don Cheadle, Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman, Jason Bateman, Rosie O’ Donnell, and Dennis Rodman are just a few of the celebrity contestants to play during the three years the show ran. Now, coming up on 15 years since its last episode aired, should the network reboot the show?
We weighed what the show got right, where it missed the mark, and whether it deserves to return.
The case for a reboot
Not only was the show good for the game, it did some good for the world.
Good for the game
Celebrity Poker Showdown introduced millions of people to poker. Games were played in front of a live studio audience with charismatic, recognizable characters and fun, accessible commentary. Every episode showcased entertainment icons enjoying the strategy, risk-taking, and bold decision-making that we love about poker.
And in its first tournament finale episode alone, 1.7 million viewers tuned in to watch Nicole Sullivan beat the boys and win $100,000 for charity.
Good for the world
The show wasn’t just about bringing viewers to the game of poker. It also brought attention to worthy causes. During its run, the show raised $3.5 million for charities like Alley Cat Allies (an animal protection charity), Children’s Aid (which helps children experiencing poverty), and The Jimmy Fund (dedicated to supporting the fight against cancer).
The case against
While CPS made a major impact in some ways, it definitely fell short in others.
Lack of diversity
Of the 200 preliminary round seats, only 69 were given to women, reinforcing the gender disparity among poker players. Additionally, only one of the 25 seats in the first tournament was given to a person of color and subsequent tournaments weren’t much better. We would hope for a more representative field of celebrities if the show were to run again.
Teaching the wrong lesson
The celebrities were really bad at poker and viewers may have developed bad habits or gotten the wrong impression about how competitive playing for thousands of dollars can be. And the show missed a huge opportunity to show why poker matters beyond entertainment. On such a prominent stage, the celebrities could have spoken to how the skills involved in learning poker help in negotiating a contract and building confidence before taking on a new role—skills we can all benefit by honing.
The verdict
We would like to see Celebrity Poker Showdown Return. And though the concept and spectacle were great, there was plenty of room to improve. Luckily, organizations around the world are learning from the show and using poker to spread their message and enrich their culture.
We’ve saved you a seat, whether you’re super-skilled or new to the game. Join us and experience for yourself the power of poker.
Poker Power is for educational purposes and does not permit gambling in our clubs. No poker experience is required.
