Yesterday I mentioned that Phil Hellmuth has been selected to take over Phil Gordon's spot on Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown. As you all know - I am not the world's greatest fan of Mr. H, and I am sure many of you are expecting a rant out of me. To be fair, why would you expect anything less? Last week when I announced that Phil Gordon was leaving CPS, I stated:

"It is still up in the air who will be Phil's replacement, and all I can say is please let it be anyone but Phil Hellmuth."

A little foreshadowing, perhaps? I had a feeling they would ultimately choose Hellmuth, but I'm not going to rant. Ok, ok. Maybe just a little.

Obviously, I am not pleased with their choice, but it isn't necessarily for the reasons you may think. I'm more disappointed by who they didn't choose, rather than by who they did. I believe there are many talented, deserving individuals who would have been a better choice and could have used this opportunity to further build their careers rather than Phil. Examples? My first choice would have been Phil Laak hands down. Hands. Down. However, it doesn't really matter now (or ever) who I thought would fit the bill - there were many - but they have made their choice and we have to live with it, look forward to it, or not watch it. It is our choice.

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        I suppose the hardest pill for me to swallow is that I just don't like the idea of Hellmuth matched with Foley. I can't see it yet. Maybe they will play very well off each other, but at this time I just can't visualize it. To be fair, I haven't seen enough of Phil acting like a normal human being to really be able to picture him standing alongside and interacting with someone who I believe to be comic genius. Maybe he can pull it off - I will reserve further judgment on that aspect until he proves or disproves that on his own.

Worst case scenario is that it becomes an outlet for Phil to constantly attempt to convince the world that he is the greatest thing since...well, since Phil Hellmuth, and Bravo encourages him to do so. If he just truly sucks he won't last long anyways, so that isn't even a worry.

Ultimately, this could prove to be one of the best things to happen to Phil. He has a history of success in his life, and I hope he steps up to the challenge this presents and conducts himself with a modicum of dignity. Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want anyone to host the show who wasn't at least somewhat sarcastic or satirical, but there is a difference between being satirical, funny and egdy, and ridiculing someone. I want him to make fun of the celebrities, we all know that is one of the dynamics that makes the show funny since so many of them are simply terrible poker players. I just hope that he recognizes the line between making fun of, and downright insulting someone. That is the balance I hope he is able to find.

So will I watch it? Well, it isn't necessarily first choice on my list of TV shows to watch even now. I already dedicate over 70 hours a week writing about, reading about, or playing poker, so watching a show involving mostly bad poker players doesn't really appeal to me much. That said, I am sure I will check out at least the first few episodes. What I am hoping for is to be proved wrong. I would love to eat my words and say that I truly enjoyed watching him host the show. I have little faith that I will use the word 'enjoy' while describing it, but stranger things have happened.
  
(photo: PhilHellmuth.com)