The Joke Is on the Pros as GSN Antes Up the Fourth Installment of 'POKER ROYALE: COMEDIANS VS. PROS'

The Joke Is on the Pros as GSN Antes Up the Fourth Installment of 'POKER ROYALE: COMEDIANS VS. PROS'

Comedians Paul Rodriguez, Robert Wuhl, Mark Curry, Tammy Pescatelli, Carol Leifer and Sue Murphy Take on Professional Poker Players Phil 'The Unabomber' Laak, Robert Williamson III, David Williams, Linda Johnson, Connie Kim and Kathy Kolberg

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- GSN will premiere the fourth installment of its POKER ROYALE franchise when POKER ROYALE: COMEDIANS VS. PROS airs on Friday, July 8 at 9:00PM ET/PT. The 12 episode series includes ten preliminary matches, one wild card round, and a two-hour grand finale where the winner receives $50,000, a POKER ROYALE bracelet and trophy.

The comedians, utilizing their humor and funny (as opposed to poker) faces will face off against the poker pros in a battle of No Limit Texas Hold 'Em. Aiming to shut down the pros with their "schtick" and poker knowledge are Paul Rodriguez ("Ali," "Comic Relief VII"), Mark Curry ("Fat Actress," Hangin' with Mr. Cooper"), Robert Wuhl ("Arli$$"), Carol Leifer ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seinfeld"), Tammy Pescatelli ("Last Comic Standing 3," "Dennis Miller") and Sue Murphy ("Wanda Does It," "The Jeff Foxworthy Show").

In the pros' corner are Phil "The Unabomber" Laak (2004 World Poker Tour Main Event First Place), Robert Williamson III (2005 World Series of Poker Circuit Championship Final Table, Color Commentator POKER ROYALE), Linda Johnson (Third woman in history to win a World Series of Poker bracelet), David Williams (2004 World Series of Poker Championship Event Second Place, POKER ROYALE: YOUNG BLOODS Champion), Connie Kim (2005 World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit Eighth Place) and Kathy Kolberg (Placed 1st at the $10,000 Aussie Poker Open).

In the first ten episodes, each of the six comedians and six pros play five matches, with the winner of each match earning $5,000 and ten points toward reaching the final table. Second place earns eight points, third place earns six points, fourth place earns four points, fifth place earns two points and last place earns no points. The two highest point earning players from each team are guaranteed a seat at the final table. The next three top point earners from each team will play in the wild card match, with the top comedian and top pro filling out the fifth and sixth seats at the final table.

Calling the action are John Ahlers (Play-by-play announcer for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim), with color commentary by Kenna James (2004 Ultimate Poker Challenge First Place), and sideline reporting from Lisa Dergan (named sexiest sportscaster by STUFF magazine and also appears on Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show.")

POKER ROYALE: COMEDIANS VS. PROS will air as part of GSN's successful Friday Casino Night with other casino related programming including WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK and CELEBRITY BLACKJACK. The POKER ROYALE franchise includes the WPPA Championship, BATTLE OF THE SEXES, CELEBRITIES VS. PROS and YOUNG BLOODS.

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries, alternative sports programs and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 110 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Reaching 56 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.

Source: GSN

CONTACT: Nikki Lichterman of GSN, +1-310-255-6938, nlichterman@gsn.com

Web site: http://www.gsn.com/ http://corp.gsn.com/

------- Profile: Ent