Poker on television is often about getting viewers to tune in. If they are hooked from the first minute, then they’ll keep watching. If they watch until the end of the show, you’re onto a winner. If they love the series, such as was the case when the opening series of Britain’s Late Night Poker was launched, you could have a cult classic on your hands.

When it comes to Celebrity Poker Showdown, however, what you have is a show that is cashing in on the success of Chris Moneymaker’s WSOP victory with five seasons of shameless use of celebrities in order to profit from the popularity of poker.

Take this episode for example, where future Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston takes on future Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage, with a little spice added by the inclusion of other opponents including Howie Mandell and… well, Meatloaf.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrMC8D-WEhY?feature=oembed&w=500&h=375]