Norm MacDonald Replaces Gabe Kaplan on "High Stakes Poker"

Published on February 7th, 2011 7:50 pm EST

According to a GSN press release that was circulated earlier today, Gabe Kaplan is no longer the host of "High Stakes Poker".

His replacement? None other than Norm MacDonald, the former cast member of "Saturday Night Live" who has appeared in movies such as "Dirty Work" and "Billy Madison".

MacDonald will be the new host of "High Stakes Poker" when the seventh season begins on Saturday, February 26th.

According to the GSN press release, Kara Scott will "co-host High Stakes Poker with MacDonald, providing illuminating behind-the-scenes reports, revealing player interviews and expert poker analysis." This will be Scott's second year working as a co-host on the show.

The GSN press release also revealed the full player list for "High Stakes Poker" Season 7. Here it is:

Mike Baxter
Eric Boneta
Doyle Brunson
Johnny Chan
Robert Croak
Jonathan Duhamel
Antonio Esfandiari
Phil Galfond
Bill Klein
Phil Laak
Jason Mercier
Julian Movsesian
Daniel Negreanu
David Peat
Bill Perkins
Andrew Robl
Phil Ruffin
Vanessa Selbst
Bob Voulgaris

The seventh season of "High Stakes Poker" is also available in 3D for DIRECTV customers with 3D-enabled televisions.

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"High Stakes Poker" has undergone some major changes over the past few years. Former co-host A.J. Benza was let go. Kara Scott was brought in. Full Tilt Poker decided to hold their players off of the show. And now, Gabe Kaplan has been replaced by Norm MacDonald.

Gabe Kaplan was certainly one of the best parts of "High Stakes Poker", and he will definitely be missed. Kaplan's humor complemented his thorough knowledge of the game of poker perfectly. I can't imagine MacDonald providing much in the way of insightful commentary, but maybe I'll be wrong.

I think that it's safe to say that "High Stakes Poker" has officially "jumped the shark"..


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Filed Under: Poker on Television