Despite the growing popularity of billiards in America, US networks haven't been impressed. 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 popularity of billiards increased dramatically after the movie, and organized billiards exploded in the 1960s.
The Hustler, which starred Jackie Gleason in the role of Minnesota Fats, was a huge success. Billiards halls in the United States doubled in size following the release of the movie. 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 became the first television show to feature billiards. 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 timed so that each player could score 10 point per inning. The perfect match score was 100 points. 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. The show featured professional billiards players as well as celebrities competing against one another. The scores were calculated based on the score of each snooker player.
Cisero, Joe Murphy, Nick Oliva and Mike Eufemia played on the billiards show. Joe Procita was also a participant. It also featured amateur pool sharks like Jimmy Caras (Cowboy), and Dennis Orcollo.
The show was a major hit, and billiards on television began to become popular. But the popularity of billiards on television waned in the late 1970s, and by the 1980s, the number of billiards game shows had diminished. Ballbreakers launched in 2005 and billiards again had a big impact. The Ballbreakers only lasted for one year and made many mistakes. The show seemed like an amateur comedy program because it limited the number of shots that contestants could take. 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. Jimmy O'Connor was the host. The show was somewhat dated but still had charm. Numerous celebrities, including Sid Caesar and Little Joey Canton, appeared on the show. 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 fifteen times.
A number of celebrities were seen playing billiards on television, including Sid Caesar and Bill Cosby. One $1000 charity prize was also available on the show.