Annie Duke — Michele Lewis

Celebrity Apprentice Rivers An Ace

May 10, 2009 By Michele Lewis 2 Comments

Annie Duke clearly pulled off what I would want from an employee. Raising more funds, pulling things off after the rug had been pulled out from under her and showing far more class than the high maintenance gossip queen. Yet, despite Duke’s success, Donald Trump awarded the trophy to Joan Rivers who has long ties with NBC. I was being subtle.

It’s amazing Rivers won after a design firm was so offended by her they said they wanted nothing to do with Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. That alone would make me want to fire someone. But I would have fired Rivers the moment her high drama, temper tantrum, finger ear plugging childish behavior began. And tonight Rivers claimed Duke was sooo beneath her. Funny, I’d like to hear Judith Martin’s opinion.

Don’t get me wrong, like Duke, Rivers is obviously passionate about her charity but tonight she said it wasn’t about charity anymore. Well, wasn’t raising money for charity a goal? Either way, I’m not really qualified to say because I don’t watch reality television. I made a special exception tonight and I don’t think I will do so again. Because this seems to be a clear case of playing an A game only to have your heads up opponent hit a three outer on the River.

And the best part is the Twitter aftermath…

RealAnnieDuke: RT @RafeFurst: Grass roots campaign 2 raise $250k for @RealAnnieDuke charity donate at http://refugeesinternational.org… please RT!

Joan Rivers: I won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Big difference in sportsmanship.

Filed Under: Shows & Flicks Tagged With: Annie Duke, celebrity apprentice, Donald Trump, joan rivers

Joan Rivers VS White Trash Annie Duke?

May 10, 2009 By Michele Lewis 4 Comments

I enjoy television but lack of time prevents such simple pleasures. However, with the Joan Rivers / Annie Duke white trash comment spreading through the poker world… I worked the final episode of Celebrity Apprentice into my schedule. After all, Ms. Rivers has been so kind to call all the attorneys, doctors, mathematicians, programmers, Duke graduates and even the… teachers who are also poker players… white trash. The poker community is so insulted even Doyle Brunson is wanting an apology.

I’m not sure where Ms. Rivers learned her manners so I say…consider the source. How can we be offended by such words when they come from someone who has earned a paycheck by bashing, insulting, ridiculing, belittling and verbally abusing people? Or by someone who would seriously put her fingers in her ears when someone else was speaking. I don’t know much about Rivers but I can say a few things about Annie Duke…

Duke is well known in the poker industry for her strong and vocal opinions. Probably more so than any other poker player. However, it’s rarely pointed out that her vocal opinions are usually about what’s best for people and not what’s best for Annie. She may show her temper, she may show impatience but as a mother I can tell you time isn’t only money, time is precious and there isn’t much time for wasting. When you walk away from Annie Duke… you know exactly where you stand. Duke is someone who will suit up and show up often risking her own reputation simply to stand up for what’s right. And that… is someone I would want standing behind me.

photo courtesy AnnieDuke.com

Filed Under: Shows & Flicks Tagged With: Annie Duke, celebrity apprentice, joan rivers

WSOP Women Shout Outs + Steve Wong

July 7, 2008 By Michele Lewis Leave a Comment

I’m late shouting out to the women that survived the 2008 WSOP Main Event Day 1C. Survivors are Evelyn Ng, Liz Lieu, Lacey Jones, Tiffany Michelle and one of my backers Jolyne Thompson. Sadly, Annie Duke and Maria Ho were eliminated today. But Donna Varlotto is still in… she’s Steve Wong’s fiance but she is known as Donna Varlotto. Here’s a photo of Steve Wong after learning that now he and Donna both have officially made Day 2.

Don’t forget the new Girl on Girl Interview with Maria Ho as well as Lieu and Tiffany Michelle.

Filed Under: WSOP Tagged With: 2008 Main Event, Annie Duke, Lacey Jones, tiffany michelle

Ante Up for Africa with Hot Guys Who Care

July 2, 2008 By Michele Lewis Leave a Comment

The Ante Up for Africa charity event at the WSOP is in full swing down the hallway. Hosted by Don Cheadle and Annie Duke, the event attracted top poker pros and celebrities raising funds for the ongoing crisis in Darfur. Playing today are pros such as Andy Bloch, Phil Laak, Rafe Furst and Howard Lederer (photo above). As well as Duke, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jason Alexander, Montel Williams and Joe Reitman (photo below).

Obviously, it’s wonderful for any charity to help those in need but it should be mentioned that it’s always nice to see selfless acts within the poker community. Yep, apparently their are people who care more about people having some food this week rather than having 42 pairs of shoes instead of 41. Who knew?

It should be noted that I had a difficult time getting a good shot of the Duke posse and the larger photo at the top is not a result of picking guys over gals.