AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker
TITLE: NBC Diving Into Late-Night Poker Show
DATE: 5:39 AM
-----
BODY:
<p class="mobile-post">NBC is getting into the late-night poker show business with its new
Monday-through-Saturday series "Poker After Dark," a Las Vegas-based series
that features six poker professionals vying for a winner-take-all $120,000
first place prize. Hosted by former World Poker Tour host Shana Hiatt,
"Dark" will debut Jan. 2 at 2:05 a.m. Each night will feature a look at one
table as it develops over the week, culminating with a winner on Friday
night. Saturday night's show-the "director's cut"-will recap the week's
events with Ms. Hiatt, and that week's winner will comment and give insight
into his winning strategy. The Saturday show will air at 1 a.m., following
"Saturday Night Live." NBC Universal Television West Coast President Marc
Graboff made the announcement Wednesday. "There's a vibrant late-night
audience looking for original programming," Mr. Graboff said in a statement.
"We felt this inside look at the professional poker scene is perfect for
late-night television and those viewers seeking a unique and original
broadcast."  Ms. Hiatt hosted the World Poker Tour from 2003 to 2005. A
former model, she has also appeared in the feature films "Must Love Dogs"
and "Grandma's Boy."</p>
--------