The US networks have not been kind to billiards despite its popularity on TV. 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 huge impact on the popularity, and organized billiards started to flourish in the late 1960s.
The Hustler starred Jackie Gleason as a fictional character called Minnesota Fats, and became a hit. 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 was the first television billiards show. Frank Oliva was the original inventor of the game. 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 100-point mark was the best match score. There were eight innings of play. The players had the option to shoot for 20 more points in the eighth inning.
Frank Oliva founded Ten-Twenty, an billiards game program, in the early 1960s. Celebrities and professionals would play against one other on this show. Each player was timed and scored based upon the amount of snooker played.
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. However, billiards became less popular in the 1970s and 1980s. By then, there were fewer billiards games on television. 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 seemed like an amateur comedy program because it limited the number of shots that contestants could take. 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, the host of the show, was a fun and jovial character. The show was somewhat dated but still had charm. Several celebrities appeared on the show, including "Little" Joey Canton, Sid Caesar, and Mickey Rooney. Willie "Mr. Pocket Billilliards" Mosconi was the show's star. He is considered to be the greatest pool player ever. He set a straight pool world record in 1954. He also won the World Straight Pool Championship a total of fifteen times.
It also featured many celebrities playing billiards in TV. One $1000 charity prize was also available on the show.