Our exclusive access into a World Poker Tour broadcast continues with host Mike Sexton, who meets up with co-hosts Vince Van Patten and Kimberly Lansing before shooting begins.
In this Part 2 of our Insider’s Look into the WPT, Poker Hall of Famer Mike Sexton continues to take us through his day before a Final Table taping. This piece was filmed on August 25, 2010 from the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, hours before the taping of the WPT Legends began for Fox Sports Net. Our first encounter is with co-host Kim Lansing who is off to wardrobe, while Sexton takes us to make-up, which is interestingly a quick trip.
After that we get a tour of the set being put into place by the many people behind the scenes. Sexton gives us a never-before-seen look into how the set is constructed and how all the pieces are put together to make for a top notch production. He goes on to explain how many of the people on set get there before he does because of the vast amounts of work required it takes to build the set. Our cameras show some intimiate shots of the team, hard at work just hours before taping is set to begin.
We’re then taken to the break room where Sexton shows off all the goodies the talent and staff have access to if they get hungry or thirsty. Sure, there’s plenty of healthy items like carrots and broccoli, but there’s plenty of goodies too like cookies and sodas.
Finally, Sexton meets up with co-host Vince Van Patten to discuss their years on the World Poker Tour and they look back and appreciate that they’ve done more shows than iconic television programs such as “I Love Lucy” and “Seinfeld” during their time together. They talk about the start of their day together and how they do all their lines off the top of their head and do not use any teleprompters.
Finally, Executive Producer Joe Grimm joins Sexton and Van Patten to discuss any changes to the program and script. Grimm also shares some information about his role on set.
If you missed Part 1 in this series, be sure to watch it: WPT Insider’s Look – Part 1.
While you’re preparing for the next one, can ya tell Vince to work on his analogies? Either have him make ’em slightly worse so they’re funny or much better so they aren’t so painful to listen to while we’re watching. Please? kthxbye