High Stakes Poker cancelled? UPDATE!
I awoke this morning to news that High Stakes Poker on GSN may be in trouble. Numerous sites are reporting the HSP folks haven't filmed a new season yet and there doesn't seem to be plans to either. Pokerati.com quoted AJ Benza in its report as well, and AJ doesn't seem happy: "Far as Gabe and I know ... the show isn't coming back." Also CardPlayer talked with Mori Eskandani of POKER PROductions and he confirms that GSN hasn't ordered any new episodes yet. Here is the story.
Dennis Oehring at Poker PROductions emailed me today and here's what he said: "Many decisions about poker are currently being made by GSN, which is under new leadership since the departure of ex-CEO Rich Cronin. But I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that POKER PROductions has never been notified of the show being cancelled, despite what you may have read from the so-called pundits out there. I suspect we will know a lot more about the course of GSN's future programming after next Saturday (May 24), the deadline for them to decide whether to renew the WPT's contract for Season 7. Once we hear, I will be sure to let the poker community know."
If this news becomes official I'll be handing in my digital cable box ASAP! GSN is the only reason I got the box in the first place. For those of you who haven't listened to our latest show yet, I mentioned High Stakes while I talked to Justin Bonomo. Will HSN go the way of Courtney Friel, Sabina Gadecki and Shana Hiatt by joining the curse of Ante Up? For the first time I truly hope not.
Sad day for poker if this is true.
UPDATE: Mori has gotten back to me and he apparently read the blog because here's his response when I asked him if GSN cancelled his show: We have gotten no such a notice. Our relationship with GSN remains as strong as ever. We respect any decision that they make regarding poker in general and HSP in particular. Last time I spoke to them, the network was trying to figure out if poker can work/exists in the direction that they like to take their future programming. It is totally possible that we get a call tomorrow and receive an order for more seasons. NO ONE KNOWS. Please don't return your cable box just yet.
-- Chris
Christopher Cosenza is co-host of the longest running poker podcast on the planet, Ante Up! He started playing poker seriously in 2003 and his favorite players are Phil Ivey and Kenna James, though he tends to act like Phil Hellmuth if you make a bad play against him.
Scott Long, Ante Up!'s other co-host, is the author of the monthly Bet on It column in tbt*. He began gambling way too young (don't tell the fuzz!) and in the seventh grade, named his state "Gambleland" for a school project (State Animal? Loan shark, of course).
Poor decision if they drop HSP. As for the direction of the network, didn't GSN just pick up the WPT? I don't get the strategy here.
Posted by: Gambit | May 16, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Apparently ex-CEO Rich Cronin was a big supporter of poker and integral in landing the WPT on GSN. But now with his departure everything is up in the air. It reminds me of Seinfeld when they get the pilot on the air and then the president of NBC leaves for Greenpeace to impress Elaine and the new boss hates JERRY and cancels it.
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | May 16, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Markets never lie, if it is a financially viable then someone will air it.
These shows were supported by online gaming sites, now they are not supported by online gaming sites.
Posted by: Erik Blazynski | May 16, 2008 at 11:10 AM
That sucks for the viewer, although I can understand how losing all of the ad revenue is going to hurt the production.
For those of us cash game players, it was great to see a cash game. Cash games are so much better poker than tourney all-in fests that appear on TV. You could really learn hand to hand how the play develops. I know alot of people don't like Gabe but his analysis of the flow of the game was as good as you could expect.
Compare that to following a WSOP tournament where the cameras chase around all in moments (presented by Milwaukee's Best). You can't learn anything watching that way.
This is bad news.
Hopefully, the markets will allow it back.
Posted by: Chi-Guy | May 16, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Barry Greenstein does a pretty good job of explaining what is going on with HSP and televised poker in general in his recent interview on the Two Plus Two Pokercast.
In a nutshell, the online sites kind of broke the market by paying so much to have their sites advertised in various venues and on various poker shows.
Now that they won't/can't do it anymore there is no one willing to pay for the production of these shows - never forget that there is still a stigma associated with "gambling" and most advertisers don't want their product associated with it.
When you add this situation to new management (rumored to hold an anti-gambling bias) at GSN, the likely results are pretty obvious.
Live At The Bike, anyone?
Posted by: Zerbet | May 16, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Gonna be an interesting few months for TV poker.... Maybe it will take something innovative (like a nearly live WSOP final table, complete with 9 players we all know (3 months of publicity) and have a vested interest (3 months of investing our time watching the preliminaries) in who wins) to spark renewed interest.
It is a real shame that the best (with Poker After Dark coming close) of the TV poker shows will bite the dust. But it is a sign of things to come.
The poker boom is over. Frankly, there is not a great deal of positive news that will attract new players.
WPT cuts back on number of events
On-line cheating scandals
UIGEAmouse law passed
TV Poker show ratings are tanking
Crazyfads.com just listed Texas Hold'em
as a fad of the decade.
decline in number of players on-line
On-line sites blocking US players
And just wait for the fallout when 60 minutes does a planned expose of the Absolute Poker cheating scandal. Wives, girlfriends, mothers and even our internal ids (and egos) will demand an explanation of just what in the he*l we have been up to.
Wow, just reread that...Sorry for the rant that has been building.
High Stakes Poker...Let's hope someone else picks it up.
Posted by: aces88ss | May 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
GSN, who watches it for anything other than poker? I started to enjoy Guy Laliberte's gamesmanship on the show and seeing Jamie Gold play poker like a dufus.
Posted by: NickG | May 16, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I would have thought one of these shows (basically a reality show) would be pretty cheap/easy to produce. There's no writing involved - just throw the guys at a table, make them bring their own money, & film them playing. Editing is the only real cost, & that's not unique to this show. Unless the ratings are abysmal, why wouldn't they (or someone else) continue this?
Posted by: Clever Moniker | May 16, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Dude... get out of the dark ages and walk to the light with your stimulus check and buy a shiny HD TV. You need the box for those channels.
Funny thing is HD TV has limited my tv selection now adays. I use my 20-30 HD channels and that's it.
*Except for GSN of course. Those two poker shows are only reason I watch this low-res channel.
Paboo
Posted by: Paboo | May 16, 2008 at 02:29 PM
I will personally hunt down and smack the new President of that channel with a wet fish if they cancel HSP.
Posted by: Kevin | May 16, 2008 at 04:51 PM
GSN's High Stakes Poker is the best poker show out there. The poker being played is the best poker out there. I wouldn't understand why they would drop this show when all I ever hear about it from other poker players is good things. I always hear people say it's the best poker show.
Please don't drop HSP...PLEASE!
Posted by: gtycoon | May 16, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Thanks for the update, High Stakes Poker is definitely my favorite poker show. I think that GSN would be doing itself a huge disservice to officially cancel it or the WPT.
Posted by: PokerMom | May 17, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Wow. I like the way you guys think. Thanks for the support and let's hope the higher-ups take a listen.
Posted by: AJ Benza | May 17, 2008 at 08:24 PM
I agree HSP is the best poker on TV. If GSN cancels it, I have to believe that someone else will pick it up. Does anyone know what the ratings are? It's the only show that every poker player I've ever talked to says is great.
Posted by: Poker Geek | May 17, 2008 at 09:24 PM
AJ, if they fire you, you have an open invitation to be on our show to rip into them. Of course I highly doubt that was AJ ... in fact I have a feeling it was OPUS
Posted by: Christopher Cosenza | May 17, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Chris....Believe me, this is A.J. You cant post a comment without leaving your real info. Anyhow...thanks for your support. What show is it that you're on? And, P.S., I wouldnt rip GSN. I just want an answer (and a quick one) as to the life of our show.
AJ
Posted by: AJ Benza | May 19, 2008 at 06:59 PM
AJ, I checked your IP address and you have the same address as one of our listeners named Opus. If it is you, take a look at my Open Letter to GSN and chime in.
Our show is a podcast, as evidenced by this web page, which is a radio show for the Internet. If you want to be on when this settles email me your contact info at anteup.tampabay@gmail.com. Thanks!
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | May 20, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Everyone should write/email/call GSN and let your feelings be known.
Posted by: Dan Kaufman | June 22, 2008 at 05:48 PM
HSN has to come back.........!!
Posted by: richard | July 01, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I need their email address. HSN is the best for poker on tv. It would be a shame to lose it. great players and good humor on the show and well produced.
Posted by: richard | July 01, 2008 at 11:05 AM
It would be really bad if HSN wouldn't come back :( It's one of the best poker TV programmes ever!
You can find out more about poker here: http://www.pokerbloggs.com/
Cheers :)
Posted by: Paul | July 03, 2008 at 04:55 PM
I Have Been Watching High Stakes Poker On GSN For Awhile Now, It's A Great Show, I Can't Understand Why They Would Not Keep It On The Air, I Like All The Players, I Enjoy The Host's, Gabe And AJ Benza Are Great, They do A Wonderful Job, If GSN Is To Stupid To Keep It On The Air Then I Hope Another Station Picks It Up And Runs It, To All The Players And Host Thanks For A Great Show, Sincerly, Jw crump
Posted by: Johnny Crump (Aka jwcrump) | July 20, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Gabe a AJ did a great job...I will miss the show if it get canceled
Posted by: | August 02, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Not only do I watch HSP, but many of my poker playing friends also watch. The funny thing is my mom and dad also watch and they don't even play poker. My dad used to in the army, so he really enjoys the show. I think
gsn might be droping the ball if they don't pick up another season.
PS Gabe Kaplan (a very good player himself) does an outstanding job with his narration of the action on the show.
Posted by: R Baker | August 02, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Is AJ Benza just playing dumb or is he really the most idiotic poker commentator ever? I'm new to watching this on GSN and maybe I'm off. Wasn't that guy in the porn industry? Please clarify. Thanks.
Posted by: Amanda Moore | August 08, 2008 at 03:13 AM
1. I wish I could see the cards they do not play.
2. I don't like for Gabe and AJ to argue. It stoped being funny a while ago.
3. I learned a LOT more the few nights that Daniel was in the booth.
4. They need to give more info to the network about each show so that you can tell which show you have DVRed.
5. Sad but that is the only show that I watch (Ok Dancing with the Stars and Lost)
Posted by: vegas victor | August 28, 2008 at 11:51 PM
6. Oh yea and they need to stop running the same comercials over and over . Again I watch nothing but HSP and I really would like some variety in the add area.
7. And I like the waitreses.
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Posted by: Jack Stevens | October 07, 2008 at 01:07 AM
It would be a shame for this show to be canned. As everyone has stated it is clearly the best poker show to hit the air.
I live in Australia and the show has not been shown here as far as I know however the odd bootleg DVD I have come across has been $$$ well spent. The banter between AJ and Gabe far out weighs that of the failed tennis player and the monster pot dude.
Posted by: Chooka | October 30, 2008 at 07:19 PM
There will be a season 5, It will start February 2009. They will be showing all hands played in the new season, instead of only 60/70% as in previous seasons.
Posted by: S Mac | November 09, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Can't wait for the new high stakes season, especially since the action logged on http://www.highstakesdb.com has been kinda slow the last few days - need to get my fix :)
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 05:45 PM
I have always enjoyed HSP! I have been checking regularly to see if it would be back at all on GSN. This is the best place to watch the greats! Now that tournement play is full of i-net players and no-name, no-class, no-talent players. Its like listening to one hit wonders all day long. I am only interested in those players who have made this there life before the Moneymakers where so prominate. AJ and Gabe are a great team. Can't wait for Feb!
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Posted by: Jay Smith | December 14, 2008 at 11:14 PM
I ran into Daniel Negreanu Sat. in the Golden Nugget after his tapping of HSP. He said he was down but still took a picture with me. Greatest day of my life! I also saw howard lederer, joe hachem, and antonio esfandiari.
Cheers!
Posted by: D.S. | December 23, 2008 at 03:30 AM