Despite the popularity of billiards on television, the US networks have not looked kindly on it. Although billiards has been a relatively unpopular game, it was a common one to see on TV for many years. But, with The Hustler's 1961 movie, it started to gain some more attention. The movie had a profound impact on the popularity of pool and organized billiards was booming by the end of the 1960s.
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 also had a major impact on the popularity of organized billiards, and by the late 60s, billiards had made its debut on TV.
Ten-Twenty was the first TV billiards program. Frank Oliva, a billiards pioneer, invented the game in 1959. 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. 100 points was the ideal match score. The game consisted of eight innings of play. In the eighth innings, players could score another 20 points.
Frank Oliva founded Ten-Twenty, an billiards game program, in the early 1960s. Celebrities and professionals would play against one other on this show. The players were timed, and their scores were based on what the snooker player potted.
Cisero Murphy and Joe Diehl were among the billiards players. Joe Procita, Nick Oliva, Mike Eufemia and Mike Eufemia were also featured. Amateur pool sharks such as Jimmy Carass, Cowboy Jimmy Moore, and Dennis Orcollo also appeared on the show.
The show was a huge hit, and billiards started to be popularized on television. Billiards began to lose popularity in the late 1970s. The number of television shows that featured billiards had decreased by the 1980s. It was only until the 2005 launch of Ballbreakers that billiards on television once again made a major impact. The Ballbreakers only lasted for one year and made many mistakes. The show's decision not to allow contestants to take more than one shot made it look like a sketch comedy show. But the show fell apart and was eventually cancelled.
Pick Pockets, an infamous billiards program that was broadcast in the mid-1970s had a significant impact. The show featured a jovial host named Jimmy O'Connor. Although the show was old-fashioned, it had charm. Several celebrities appeared on the show, including "Little" Joey Canton, Sid Caesar, and Mickey Rooney. The show was also notable for its starring role by Willie "Mr. Pocket Billiards" Mosconi, the greatest pool player of all time. In 1954, he set a world straight pool record. He also won the World Straight Pool Championship a total of 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.