Despite the widespread popularity of billiards, US networks have not been very supportive. Billiards was not popular enough to be shown on television for many decades. But it got a little more attention after the 1961 release of The Hustler. The popularity of billiards increased dramatically after the movie, and organized billiards exploded in the 1960s.
The Hustler starred Jackie Gleason and was a smash hit. He played the role of Minnesota Fats in the movie. Billiards halls all over the country doubled their size after the movie was released. 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 advocate, created the game in 1959. It was an adaptation of the classic 14-1 straight-pool game. The game was timed so that each player could score 10 point per inning. 100 points was considered the best match score. The game lasted eight innings. The players had the option to shoot for 20 more points in the eighth inning.
Frank Oliva, a pool player, decided in the 1960s to take the game out of the basement and start a billiards show called Ten-Twenty. This show featured celebrities and professional billiards players competing against each other. The timers were set and the scores were determined by how well each snooker player scored.
Cisero, Joe Murphy, Nick Oliva and Mike Eufemia played on the billiards show. Joe Procita was also a participant. The show also featured amateur "pool sharks" like "Cowboy" Jimmy Moore, Jimmy Caras, and Dennis Orcollo.
This show was a big hit and billiards became very popular on television. But the popularity of billiards on television waned in the late 1970s, and by the 1980s, the number of billiards game shows had diminished. The return of billiards to television was possible only with the 2005 launch Ballbreakers. The Ballbreakers only lasted for one year and made many mistakes. The show was more amateur-style comedy than a reality show because they limited the number of contestants who could participate. However, the show was ultimately 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 it was dated, the show 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 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 included in the show.