Last week we discussed some early situation comedies from the 1950s and 1960s that used poker as a source for ready-made conflicts and plots. Shows like I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet also used the male-dominated game of poker as a context of sorts to reinforce traditional ideas regarding general roles — not unlike most television shows of the era.
Moving ahead a bit chronologically, there's another point worth making about the use of poker on sitcoms, one that sheds light both on the game and how such TV shows are often constructed.