“That’s why we like it so much, because the underdog can win!” cooed Ainsley Earhardt. Coming up is one of those Average Joes, Dennis Phillips. From there the Fox-branded morning sunshine went on to a story about cadaver dogs being called in to search for a two-year-old girl, and then the weather. My personal chills subsided.

Go delayed final table!

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Interview starts with “This is wonderful stuff, the World Series of Poker”

Dennis appears, wearing STL ballcap and Pokerstars.net logo on his shirt. (Boo, St. Louis!)

He refused sponsor money for his cap.

“I’m a 53-year-old truck salesman, I’m not going to go around wearing a hat backwards. It’s just not going to happen.”

Headline under random, low-quality footage from the WSOP (as if the lighting situation in the Amazon room were new to them or something) — Poker-Palooza: Average Poker Guy Takes Vegas

The key to his success at the WSOP was having fun the whole way.

Dennis is not married and has no kids.

The Fox News staff is rooting for him.

After a break, the extended crew comes back and has a discussion about how amazing his poker face is. They all give impressions, then asks who plays — I’m shocked that the two dudes who are so excited about poker say they don’t — and then they turn to Courtney Friel. She says that while he was hostess of the World Poker Tour, she herself wasn’t very good because she gave away her excitement over big hands.

They end the show with: “Go All-in with Fox & Friends!”

Pokerati has obtained a statement from the WPT:

Layla Kayleigh brought great edge, wit, and personality to the World Poker Tour as hostess in Season VI, and we sincerely wish her well as she continues to explore her TV career. We are currently casting for the Season VII TV hostess role, and look forward to introducing her to everyone soon.

That confirms it but leaves much to speculation, such as whose decision it was and what prompted it. A reputable source noted earlier in the season that Kimberly Lansing, the WPT video hostess, was a little perturbed about having to share camera time…

There was at least one person who predicted that one of the ladies would be gone by the end of the season. That would be yours truly. So much for my image as a bad prop bettor, huh?

My prediction was as follows:

Maybe it’s my catty intuition, but I’m thinking that they’re stepping on each other’s territory. The WPT doesn’t need two hostesses, and they don’t need ANY hostesses who are out of control. (Remember Courtney Friel?) Anyone want to lay odds on whether one or both of them will be let go by the end of the season?

Honestly, though, is anyone really surprised by the ousting of Layla?

Now, go to Wicked Chops and watch the two videos of Kimberly and Layla putting on a show specifically for the Wicked Chops boys. Seriously, I would love to bitch-slap both of them (and not in a sexy way), but that’s beside the point. The videos are ridiculously embarrassing, admit it.

I don’t know Kimberly or Layla personally. I met Kimberly once at Legends in L.A. but she didn’t remember me. Maybe I wasn’t flirty or sassy enough. Regardless, what I observed was that they were being very chummy, as evidenced in their videos. And my secret sources tell me just watching the videos they’re putting up on Youtube tells you that they are drinking it up together at the tournaments. I can’t help but wonder why… Maybe it’s my catty intuition, but I’m thinking that they’re stepping on each other’s territory. The WPT doesn’t need two hostesses, and they don’t need ANY hostesses who are out of control. (Remember Courtney Friel?)

Anyone want to lay odds on whether one or both of them will be let go by the end of the season?