Poker Night (web series)
Poker Night is a comedy web series written in late 2010, filmed in two days in February 2012 and finally began a staggered release in July 2012. Poker Night is the saga of four twenty‐something mates who catch up on a weekly basis, ostensibly to play poker. In reality they spend most of these nights making fun of each other and generally goofing off. It takes place across three locations, Gary and Robert’s shared house, Derek’s apartment and Trevor’s parents’ garage.
Characters and cast
Derek Deckerd – Odds are you’ve worked with Derek at some stage. Despite his efforts, best or worst, he doesn’t hold onto a job for any extended period of time. On the surface he appears the most normal of the poker players, however he is most likely to do something outlandish. He’s a natural storyteller and has mastered the art of blaming others for his frequent employment difficulties. Very fond of the ladies, particularly at strip clubs. A self‐confessed football tragic, his mood depends on each weekend’s football results and he has quit many a job because it clashed with a particular match. Doesn’t follow a set team, just hops on the nearest bandwagon, however is oblivious to the fact he is a jinx. Likes a flutter. Not a very good loser, if his team’s lost or he’s losing poker he just glares a lot. Derek is portrayed by Simon Acok.
Gary Carey – The most organised (marginally) and de facto leader of the group. Works in customer service for a furniture store. Usually arrives tense, pissed off by customer or manager. Gradually unwinds through the evening but his temper can flare up. The housemate who he and Robert rent with particularly gets under his skin. Usually brings snacks, is a master of getting things cheap. Has a light pair of fingers and is not above nicking from his mates. Managed to hack into all surrounding neighbours’ internet connections, so is a nexus of movie and music piracy. Only ever dated the one girl, a dominating woman the others refer to as ‘The Queen’ or ‘Queenie’ (although they privately have more colourful nicknames for her). Gary is portrayed by Alex McArthur.
Robert Connor – Personal trainer who struggles to turn off the clichés after work. Needs to be kept away from reflective surfaces, always touching his hair. Vanity, thy name is Robert. He’s not unintelligent, but he does sometimes miss jokes at his expense. Extremely competitive when provoked. Known Gary a long time and has lived with him for a few years. He’s very much of a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ mindset, he’s capable of generating extreme volume levels and has made more than one personal training client cry. Deep, deep down he’s a good person, but he does possess a wicked sense of humour. Robert is portrayed by Thomas Petrakos.
Trevor Johnson – A teenager in a man’s body, Trev’s a genuinely nice boy. Works at a small video games arcade, often teased for his juvenile ways, naiveté and because he actually likes his job. Still lives with his parents who he has to coerce out of the house once a month to host poker night. With the exception of his poker buddies, struggles to relate to anyone over the age of 13. Has a knack of finding loose change (particularly at work) which is all he gambles with. When he tries to join in the group banter, he usually goes too far or in the wrong direction entirely. He’s at his most funny when he’s not trying to be. Trevor is portrayed by Patrick Carrick.
"The Housemate" – Robert and Gary share their house with an unnamed creature that strikes fear and dread into the pair of them, and previously untapped levels of loathing in Gary. Through their stories, Derek and Trevor have learned to share their feelings.
"The Queen" or "Queenie" – Gary's occasionally-mentioned girlfriend, a formidable woman who dominates his life.