It's on Discovery Channel, so it's going to be scripted. Hell, the hands they play will probably be scripted too.

When they came down to film the pilot I had a couple of meetings with one of the producers, sounded like they had some great ideas and a particular direction that they wanted to go that would have been well liked by the 2+2 crowd. We actually discussed how important it was to represent this community by name--he knew nothing of this message board when I mentioned it, but said satisfying the "internet kids" was a priority for P + A.

They also wanted to get the stamp of approval from other poker communities/circles/cliques in putting together a show. From what he said it sounded like this was important to Phil and Antonio. He talked about how the producers wanted to realistically capture the local community's poker scene in the games in each city they visited. I thought was kind of genius. Who wouldn't tune into see the regulars from every locale sit in a game with P+A? I gave him a list of guys that I thought would represent a wide swath of players locally, with a heavy influence on players that would be entertaining.

I had very high hopes for the show. It overlapped some ideas I had about a reality poker show that I think could be a hit. That said, I saw some of their early footage they used to sell the idea to the network. Very stylized, and felt like some quasi-reality quasi-drama show. Essentially, the ugly embodiment of what you get when use "reality" personalities to not pay actors but want to film a scripted show. I have no idea if the pilot or series continued in that direction or if that segment I saw was simply a tool to sell the concept.

From people that were filmed and helped with the show in New Orleans I heard that Antonio and Phil were great. However, the local "scene" that they captured for one locale was a bunch of Teamsters (?) who don't even play and they played down to stale Louisiana stereotypes that are all over TV. Instead of showing what New Orleans poker is really about they went a fictionalized route. One player in particular who occasionally posts on here expressed disappointment to be "lopped" in with that group and confided to me he thought the final product wouldn't do us locals any favors.

I'm hopeful the finished product does a service for poker. The producer seemed genuine and earnest (producers seeming genuine... lol) that he wanted to do a good thing for poker. I'm going to watch it and hope for the best, and I think it's kind of awesome Phil and Antonio are getting these kind of shows through. Even if it's not perfect, hopefully it'll be a plus for all of us, and hopefully all the wonderful things we talked about will show up on TV.

They wanted to play real hands. They were right to think the poker could create its own drama. Though I think they did recreate some shots and stage things after the fact.

Has potential. Just depends on how 'real' they can keep it.

Also, these underground games won't be underground for long.

If it is a show with Laak, I'm in. His personality and antics have been great so far on any show I've seen him on.

If it is scripted like the Housewives or Kardashaian crap, it will tank.

Hell yes! Lets all tune in

Sounds like a show meant for 2006

Couldn't hurt to give it a chance.

I'm definitely checking out the Pilot episode, and if Antonio says "One Time" and Laak says "You're Sick Kid" then I'm season passing it.

Almost everything you see on TV is scripted. I'd say over 95% of "reality tv" shows are scripted. This show will be no different. No way Discovery would dump money into a show and then hope it's entertaining.

I'll watch the first episode, but am not a big fan of Antonio or Laak. Hopefully Discovery insists that Antonio's girlfriend is on the show. Antonio is tolerable in small doses, Laak is just a big douche. He's super nitty but always tries to act like he's not.

>.05/.10 got you down, we all see.

Some of you 2+2 member's whole lives revolve around being a jealous whiny little biatch on this forum. Whether it's Negreanu or Phil Laak, etc. Grow up and get a real hobby besides whining.

I will check it out.

Looking forward to this. Sounds awesome!

Yep

I like both Antonio and Phil, so I'll be downloading this for sure.

doesn't the whole show pretty much defeat the purpose of what a underground private game is? pretty much gonna be all scripted right? even the pots

Gotta be good for poker. Thumbs up

What is a "Neighborscheig"?

+1

I like seeing poker on tv, and I think laak is pretty entertaining. Can't wait to see it, who cares if they script some jokes in or w/e

This was pretty entertaining, we'll see.

Can't wait for this.

Seems to be worth a look, hopefully has a positive impact on poker economy.

Yea, it'll be great for poker, fascinating TV won't be scripted...and everybody who thinks this will be good thought Rounders was a great movie.