Of all the poker shows that have been created in the past couple of years, High Stakes Poker has definitely got to be considered one of the most successful. High Stakes has used the cash game format during its successful run along with the broadcasting skills of A.J. Benza and Gabe Kaplan to survive for five eventful seasons. The show has been so successful that the Game Show Network has decided to bring it back for a 6th season.
However, one key ingredient which won’t be returning for season 6 is A.J. Benza who was informed by Game Show Network representatives that his services will no be needed. Going even further, GSN has decided to get rid of Benza so that they can add a younger female host to go along with Kaplan. There has been no official word as to who this younger female host will be as of yet.
Regardless of whom the woman host turns out to be, Benza is definitely not happy about the decision and has let his opinion be known. Benza made a good point on his blog (where he was talking about a conversation he had with GSN suits) when he said, “if you got the best pizza in town for 5 seasons, why try and add licorice to it?” Benza’s argument is definitely a good point since him and Kaplan were an excellent announcing duo throughout the first 5 seasons of High Stakes Poker.
Now everything is up in the air for High Stakes Poker with a potentially much younger, model-like host being brought to the table. Sure GSN is banking on the move attracting a wider audience, but they could lose some of the existing audience too. If things don’t work out, then there is definitely the possibility of Benza coming back. A.J. put this into perspective when he said, “And look on the bright side: if she stinks….I might be back for HSP 7”
I miss A.J.! There was a season when Gabe and A.J. would cut each other down and argue that was a little wierd to listen to, but when the two of them talked poker it worked and I liked watching the show. It is boring now and the girl with the interviews in the middle of the show does nothing for me…
A.J. Benza helped make HighStakes Poker a great show. He makes the show great and then is canned…The jerks who think a pretty face will improve an already fantastic show will regret it in my opinion.
Roger
This sucks!!I mean..I’m still gonna watch HSP because its an amazing show and I love the players and poker itself..However..AJ was tops and these asswipes who let him go haven’t a clue what they’re doing.Aj and Gabe had great banter going and it kept the show running smoothly..I’ll sure miss him..Flipin’ idiots!!
I am an OK poker player and when I watched the show A.J. would ask the questions that I would if I was there. He made it fun to watch. AJ & Gabe had “it” and now the show suffers without A.J.. I was a fan. Maybe the producers need to remember “New Coke”. That failed for Coco-Cola and HSP will fail without AJ on GSN.
Gabe Kaplan is the best, however, withought A.J. Benza his jokes fall flat. This is a 2 person commentary . Explaining the moves etc. are excellent,however, there’s just so much that can be described or explained. So, throwing in a joke here and there with a bit of chit chat is the perfect combination. When he cracks a joke, that’s it, move on. That’s my opinion.
They made one really bad move by getting rid of A.J. Gabe is a superb host but the game really loses alot of its shine with A.J. gone. It’s just not right as a one host gig.
Now, after looking forward to a whole new season for 2011, I was really excited about it until the show aired earlier tonight. No Kaplan and the show absolutely stinks. I watched reruns after reruns all evening twice a week with the earlier players, Kaplan and Benza but now the show is ruined. Not only does Norm MacDonald pale in comparison to Gabe Kaplan but they also don’t have the colorful mix of players they maintained through the previous seasons.
What was a great show for poker enthusiasts is now a complete dud. I was a huge fan and am completely turned off now. I will probably watch a few reruns but the GSN turned something great into something that is embarrassing to watch for me as a fan. Way to push all in with rags, GSN.
I’ve watched High Stakes for 6 years and Gabe and AJ were the best I do not like the new host. I will not watch it any longer if they keep that idiot of a new host.