Despite the fact that billiards is very popular on American television, networks have not taken it seriously. Billiards wasn't a very popular game on television for many years. However, the Hustler movie in 1961 brought it some attention. The film had a significant impact on the popularity and growth of billiards.
The Hustler starred Jackie Gleason, who played a fictional character called Minnesota Fats. The movie was a success. The movie made it possible for billiard halls to double in size after its release. 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 TV billiards program. Frank Oliva, a billiards evangelist, developed the game. It was a variation to the classic 14-1 straight game of pool. The game was timed, and the player could score 10 points per inning. The 100-point mark was the best match score. The game consisted of eight innings of play. 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. Pro billiards player and celebrity would take on each other in this competition. The players were timed, and their scores were based on what the snooker player potted.
Cisero Murphy, Joe Diehl and Nick Oliva were some of the players on the billiards-show. Joe Procita was one of many. It also featured amateur pool sharks like Jimmy Caras (Cowboy), and Dennis Orcollo.
It was a huge success and television began to be popular for billiards. The popularity of billiards on TV declined in the late 1970s. There were no billiards game programs by 1980. Ballbreakers was the only time that billiards had a significant impact on television. The one-year run of Ballbreakers was a failure. 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 was also a popular billiards game in the middle of the 1970s. Jimmy O'Connor, the host of the show, was a fun and jovial character. It was a dated show, but had charm. Several celebrities appeared on the show, including "Little" Joey Canton, Sid Caesar, and Mickey Rooney. Willie "Mr. Pocket Billie" Mosconi, the greatest player in pool history, was also a star of the show. He also set a straight pool world mark in 1954. He also won the World Straight Pool Championships fifteen times.
There were also several celebrities who played billiards, including Sid Caesar, Bill Cosby and Buddy Hackett. One $1000 charity prize was also available on the show.