Written by Sadonna | Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Gabe Kaplan, one of the most popular poker hosts and tv personalities we’ve seen in recent years, is apparently now OUT at High Stakes Poker.  There has been no word on why they’ve chosen to sever ties with the popular host, although it’s been quite the bombshell story since the news hit.

According to multiple media reports, his replacement will be none other than Saturday Night Live alum Norm MacDonald.  Wait…what???  I understand they’re looking for someone with a little bit of flair of humor, but come on – that last time I saw Norm MacDonald be relevant in anything was….well, when he was doing Weekend Update on SNL….over a decade ago!

After the show dropped co-host AJ Benza a few seasons go, HSP has made some rather questionable moves to its lineup.  From the addition of Kara Scott to the subtraction of Full Tilt pros last season, this year’s seventh season should be an interesting one to follow.

Poker forums and message boards have blown up over the Game Show Network’s decision to let go of Kaplan, one of the more enduring stars of televised poker over recent years.  Not only was he fun to watch and actually KNEW what he was talking about, but he’s also an accomplished poker player and WSOP-bracelet winner that provided some solid commentary to these high stakes cash games.

Stay tuned for Norm McDonald’s inaugural performance on Season 7 of High Stakes Poker, which airs on February 26th, 2011, at 8 PM est.

One Response to “Gabe Kaplan Replaced on GSN’s “High Stakes Poker””

1. Denver K. Smith Says:

   I watched the first two shows hosted by Norm McDonald. He actually does a fine job and made some insightful comments about the difference between tournament and cash games and the difference between playing professionals and recreational players. Having said that, I still have to add I miss Gabe Kaplan. To me high-stakes poker is Gabe Kaplan’s shown. How GSN could drop him after six seasons of exemplary work is mind-boggling. Where is the loyalty!

   It occurred to me to boycott high-stakes poker after its disregard for a poker legend (Gabe Kaplan). Also high-stakes poker has lost some of its more interesting players thanks to the apparent piss fight between fulltilt poker and poker stars. I play on both sites, they’re both getting their piece of the pie what’s the problem. As a poker player I wouldn’t want anyone telling me what televised shows I could play on.

   The sites must be paying their pros an awful lot to be able to dictate when and where they can play.

   
   March 8th, 2011 at 11:19 pm