Poker is big business, but until now the world of high-stakes Texas Hold ’Em has been relegated to a table of That ’70s Show cast members trying to outwit each other on basic cable. Oh, how things have changed. Now NBC has its own late-night series, Poker After Dark. Gone are the celebrities, replaced by pros who actually know their aces from their elbows. But who will help you navigate this pressure-filled world of bluffs and blinds? Look no further than host Shana Hiatt. Growing up, this former Army brat from South Jersey knew nothing about poker, but after her turn on World Poker Tour, she’s more welcome at the table than a suicide king. We caught up with Shana between hands to find out why.
STUFF: How did you get your big break? SHANA: I was doing a lot of print work, and Marki Costello, Lou Costello’s granddaughter, went to my agency and said there’s a huge need for cute, goofy girls in the hosting world. We sent a reel to E!, and they picked me right away to do Wild On while Brooke Burke was pregnant for the second time.
We see the cuteness, but what makes you so goofy? Between shots I’ll do a crazy dance or make a funny face to give myself energy for the next take. I always look perky, but it’s really because I’m doing funny stuff in between.
