Shana Hiatt is one of the most wildly popular hostesses in the short history of televised poker. For an entire audience of early World Poker Tour watchers she was both Ginger and Mary Ann rolled into one. After that her history has been turbulent and has included leaving the WPT which had a bitterness factor on par with the break-up of Van Halen. After that there were lawsuits, out of court settlements, a new show on NBC, and a pregnancy. It would seem that the poker industry is treating replacing Shana Hiatt like a sick little hobby. Poker After Dark is no exception and Shana has now been replaced on that show as well.
The girl who originally took the place of iconic Ms. Hiatt had all the staying power of jelly donut at a weight watchers meeting. Poker After Dark is finding out what the WPT has known for years, replacing Shana is not easy. The World Poker Tour has had four hostesses since her departure, and none has lasted more than a season. Layla Kayleigh looks like she is going to be around for a while, but it took them some time to find her (although many of us think firing Courtney Friel was the worst mistake since somebody stumbled onto the recipe for Crystal Meth). Poker After Dark seems to learn a little faster than the WPT and after the failure of their first Shana stand-in, they went for some star power.
Leeann Tweeden has a long history on television that starts with old 80's television show "Star Search". She has appeared on the "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" as well as appeared on an entire wall full of magazine covers. In short, Leeann is a favorite among anyone who favors The Three Stooges films and scratching themselves in socially unacceptable ways.
Those of us who have had a crush on Ms. Tweeden for the last decade or so truly hope this move works out.
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