Celebrity Poker Debuts on Playboy TV

Playboy TV has become the latest television channel to join the celebrity poker craze, with a new poker program called "Sam's game" debuting last Thursday.

The show, filmed at the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, is hosted by renowned producer Sam Simon and will include comedian Norm McDonald, actress Jennifer Tilly (who is Simon's ex-wife) and 2001 Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick.

Professional poker players will also join in the action, including Phil Laak and Jennifer Leigh.

According to Simon, Playboy TV came up with the idea after hearing about the poker nights he regularly held for his celebrity buddies.

"The stakes aren't the biggest, the players aren't the best but the game is definitely the funniest," Simon was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.

"I've spent years in development to try to get shows on the air. When a network calls and says, 'We want to shoot this... the answer is yes," Simon said.

Simon is most famous for his role as one of the original developers of The Simpsons, along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks.

He has also written for other television shows such as Cheers, The Tracey Ullman Show and The Drew Carey Show.

Simon competed in the 2007 World Series of Poker, finishing in 329th position.