IRON RING PREMIERES TUESDAY MARCH 18th
Posted by bigced on March 18, 2008
It’s game night on BET with the premieres of two new original series, BLACK POKER STARS INVITATIONAL and IRON RING. On Tuesday, March 18, beginning at 10:30 PM*, these two half-hour series highlight the biggest celebrity trash talking poker players in Hollywood and the high stakes and competitive drive infused in a celebrity managed mixed martial arts fighting competition.
At 10:30 PM*, BET raises the stakes with BLACK POKER STARS INVITATIONAL. Hosted by actor and funny man Katt Williams and the self-proclaimed “Black Robin Leach” Kenny Burns, celebrity poker players Anthony Anderson, Nelly, Kevin Hart, Miguel Nunez Jr., Eddie Griffin, Orlando Jones, Faizon Love, Eva Pigford, Wood Harris (HBO’s The Wire), Al Shearer, Mekhi Phifer, Chris Spencer and Melyssa Ford vie to win $50,000 for their favorite charity. With special guest appearances by Eddie Murphy and DMC, this No Limit – Texas Hold ‘Em Poker tournament doesn’t begin or end at the tables. Taped at the newly opened Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, BLACK POKER STARS INVITATIONAL catches every aspect of celebrity involvement from their rendezvous at the private “Millionaire Airport” in Van Nuys to their VIP hotel check-in to the special “Losers Lounge,” where eliminated players soothe their bruised egos during the poker face off — all while capturing the comedic exchange and trash talk from today’s hottest celebrities.
Then, at 11:00 PM*, BET slams into the IRON RING. Showcasing mixed martial arts, the fastest-growing new sports format in entertainment, IRON RING pairs celebrity team owners, trainers and fighters to produce some of the most compelling match-ups on television. Headlining the show is boxing champ Floyd Mayweather (with the assistance of hip-hop star Rick Ross) managing the Money Mayweather Boys, along with hip-hop heavyweights Ludacris and Nelly representing Team Luda and Team Nelly (respectively); T.I. with the help of Big Kuntry, Young Dro, DJ Drama and Alpha Omega leading Team Grand Hustle; Juelz Santana and Jim Jones heading Dipset; and Lil Jon with the Head Busters.
With $100,000 in prize money up for grabs, these skilled competitors go toe-to-toe in the IRON RING using the combined fighting techniques of jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing and wrestling. From competitive team tryouts and grueling practices to the final face-off at the live championship, IRON RING not only exposes the hardcore sport of mixed martial arts, but also uniquely explores the human element by providing insight into the lives of the fighters and coaches.
