This is the latest press release from “Poker Night in America,” now appearing weekly on CBS Sports Network. I’ve also included some personal thoughts about the exciting activities taking place this coming weekend at Turning Stone Casino in Upstate New York.
PRESS RELEASE
Noted Film Critic Richard Roeper to Appear on “Poker Night in America”
Latest High-Stakes Cash Game Attracts All-Star Lineup to Turning Stone Casino in New York
One of America’s most respected film critics will soon be taking a seat in front of the camera.
Richard Roeper, the widely-read newspaper columnist, and television personality who is best known for his make it or break it movie reviews, will be participating in the upcoming high-stakes cash game, to be played at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. Filming takes place over a four-day period, August 15-18. The highlights of this event will appear later on “Poker Night in America,” the game’s hottest new show on CBS Sports Network.
Roeper, who first came to prominence as the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times, later replaced the late Gene Siskel on At the Movies, alongside legendary co-host Roger Ebert. The two combative movie reviewers became the gold standard of contemporary cinema.
The author of seven books, including the gambling-themed Bet the House, released in 2010, Roeper has been a lifelong poker player. He’s excited about his first appearance on a poker TV show alongside some of the game’s legends.
“I’m looking forward to going up against some of the best players in the world,” Roeper said. “I don’t have any illusions I can hang with these folks for an extended period of time, but who knows, maybe the cards will be in my favor for a couple of hours and I’ll get lucky. I’m also looking forward to bantering with some of the better talkers in the game. Should be a lot of fun between hands as well as during the action.”
Roeper might be running his first bluff a bit early. He’s played in several poker events in the past, including tournaments at the World Series of Poker. So, he’s no pushover.
He’s also seen “Poker Night in America” on television, which apparently has received a preliminary thumbs up.
“What I like about “Poker Night in America” is it’s about the personalities as much as poker,” Roeper said. “This is what poker night is like in a million basements and man caves across the country. It’s as much about the socializing and the ribbing as the poker.”
Roeper will get his shot under the spotlight against many names which are familiar to everyone who follows the game. Among those who are scheduled to attend and play in the cash game with Roeper are — Phil Hellmuth, Jr., Shaun Deeb, Cherish Andrews, Cindy Kerslake, 888poker pro-Jesse Sylvia, Liv Boeree, Phil Laak, David Patent, Antonio Esfandiari, 888poker pro-Jake Balsiger, Igor Kurganov, Travell Thomas, Layne Flack, Gina Fiore, Dan Weinman, and Jennifer Tilly.
Actress Tilly’s interaction with Roeper could be among the highlights at Turning Stone. Now, she and others get a chance to critique Roeper, whose play will be carefully watched and ultimately reviewed by the very toughest of critics. One expects these latest episodes of “Poker Night in America,” expected to air early 2015, will receive lots of thumbs up from poker fans and television viewers.
Visit Richard Roeper’s home page HERE.
NOTE: Media may freely use and quote from this press release with proper attribution.