Despite the fact that billiards is very popular on American television, networks have not taken it seriously. For many years, billiards was not a popular game to be played on television, but with the advent of The Hustler movie in 1961, it began to get a bit more attention. The film had a significant impact on the popularity and growth of billiards.
The Hustler, which starred Jackie Gleason in the role of Minnesota Fats, was a huge success. After the movie was released, billiards halls across the country doubled in size. The movie had a significant impact on the popularity and acceptance of organized billiards. By the end of the 60s, television had already made billiards a reality.
Ten-Twenty was the first television billiards show. Frank Oliva, a billiards pioneer, invented the game in 1959. It was a variation on the classic 14-1 straight pool game. The game was scored by a timer, with each player scoring 10 points per innings. 100 points was considered the best match score. The game lasted eight innings. In the eighth inning, players could attempt to score an additional 20 points.
Frank Oliva started Ten-Twenty, a billiards program that brought pool out of basements. This show featured celebrities and professional billiards players competing against each other. The players were timed, and their scores were based on what the snooker player potted.
The billiards show featured players like Cisero Murphy, Joe Diehl, Nick Oliva, Mike Eufemia, Willis Covington, and Joe Procita. There were also amateur pool sharks like Jimmy Caras, Cowboy Jimmy Moore and Dennis Orcollo.
The show was a hit and billiards began to gain popularity on television. In the late 1970s, television's popularity with billiards declined and there was a decrease in the number of billiards shows. The return of billiards to television was possible only with the 2005 launch Ballbreakers. Ballbreakers lasted only one year and made many errors. The show's decision to limit the contestants' shots to a few, made it seem more like an amateur comedy show. However, the show was ultimately cancelled.
Pick Pockets, an infamous billiards program that was broadcast in the mid-1970s had a significant impact. Jimmy O'Connor was the host. Although the show was old-fashioned, it had charm. Numerous celebrities made appearances on the program, including Sid Caesar, Mickey Rooney, "Little Joey Canton" and Sid Caesar. The show was also notable for its starring role by Willie "Mr. Pocket Billiards" Mosconi, the greatest pool player of all time. 1954 was his straight pool world-record. He also won the World Straight Pool Championships fifteen times.
A number of celebrities were seen playing billiards on television, including Sid Caesar and Bill Cosby. A $1000 charity prize was also offered on the show.