We’re no TV experts here — when is Gilligan’s Island gonna get the trophy it deserves? — but we knew we were looking at something special on the small screen watching Joe Cada upend the hopes and dreams of Darvin Moon and logger poker players everywhere. (Phil Ivey probably had something to do with that, too.)

Sure enough, for the second year in a row, ESPN’s WSOP coverage got an Emmy nomination.

Specifically it was for the November Nine coverage in the category “Outstanding Live Event Turnaround”.

I think they’re referring to the fine TV production work of Dave Swartz, Matt Maranz, and the 441 Productions crew, moreso than the chipstack turnaround of Cada.

That’s the unconfirmed word we’re hearing around Vegas this weekend: Apparently 441 Productions — the same TV crew that shoots the WSOP for ESPN — is still in Mexico, as their equipment has been confiscated(?) and they’re not gonna leave El Sur without it. Not sure if 441 honcho Matt Maranz is with his camerapeeps in Nuevo Vallarta or is back home stateside talking with Ross Perot about what it will take to send in an armed helicopter to liberate any gear being held hostage.