A neurotic but brilliant brain expert helps a world champion card shark regain his 'poker face' after an accident destroys his social filter and, while helping him, sheds her own inhibitions and becomes a happier person.

SYNOPSIS:

PILOT SYNOPSIS: Dr. Cheryl Roxbury, a black neurologist at the B.R.A.I.N. Institute, presents a case study to her colleagues in hopes of winning a lucrative grant. Her subject is ‘Billy the Blank’, a champion poker player who suffered a massive conk to the head that has destroyed the part of his brain that filters his emotions. The problem is Billy has built his success on his ability to keep a blank ‘poker face.’ Cheryl hopes to win the prize to establish her reputation and help Billy regain his lost ‘face.’

Cheryl’s disheartened by her white colleague’s lack of interest and respect for her presentation. Even more upsetting is the criticism she gets from her mentor and fiancé, Leon, who’s the only other black member of the staff. Leon tells her she needs to show more respect for the board. Leon also has a dog in the hunt for the grant money and is furious when her study makes the finals and his doesn’t.

Meanwhile Billy can’t understand what’s happened to him. He’s gone from an unreadable book to guy who bursts into tears when he sees puppies in a TV ad. Cheryl explains that she can help him learn to shut off the torrent of reactions flooding out of him. Billy’s all for it, very much wanting to get his life back.

But Cheryl has to deal with his ‘Uncle’ Phil. Phil wants Billy back out earning cash. Now! Cheryl sees that he’s leeching off of Billy, so she won’t let Phil anywhere near him. Meanwhile Phil bribes guards to keep Sandy, the girl Billy left behind, out of the institute. Phil thinks she’s bad for the kid’s concentration. But Sandy still loves Billy. She’s sure that there’s a well of unexpressed feelings deep inside of him.

Leon sabotages Cheryl’s chance to win the grant. This so upsets Billy that he gives her the money himself. He needs her help and wants her to succeed. Trouble is Uncle Phil has been dipping into Billy’s winnings. A lot. So, now what? Will Cheryl get the cash to do her study and win the respect she deserves? And can Billy grow a new ‘filter’ and go back to being the legendary ‘blank’? And does he really want to?

SERIES OVERVIEW: POKER FACE follows the repressed Dr. Roxbury’s efforts to turn a foul-mouthed sow’s ear into a socially acceptable silk purse. Being around the abrasive Billy teaches Cheryl to speak up and not care so much about what other people think. And Billy learns that being a ‘blank’ may not be as rewarding as letting his feelings out. POKER FACE is comedy about the unexpected ways we can change each other. It’s also a satire warning how too much political correctness can stifle our truth.

COMPS: Scrubs meets Ted Lasso