Jackpot Bowling
Encyclopedia
Jackpot Bowling is a professional bowling show on NBC
from January 9, 1959 to June 24, 1960 and again from September 19, 1960 to March 13, 1961.
Jackpot Bowling was the first national TV bowling show since Bowling Headliners
. The show aired on Fridays at 10:45 PM following the Cavalcade of Sports Friday Night Fight.
Leo Durocher
was the show's first host, but bowed out after only two shows and was replaced by Mel Allen
. Allen's lack of bowling knowledge made him an unpopular host, however. On April 10, 1959 Bud Palmer
became the show's third host.
Allen returned in October 1959 and remained with the show until April 1960, after which Palmer returned and hosted through June.
The show was put on a brief hiatus after the June 24 episode. When it returned on September 19, 1960, a retooled version hit the airwaves; the series not only moved to Monday nights at 10:30, but Bayuk Cigars replaced Phillies Cigars
as sponsor, the Hollywood Legion Lanes replaced Wayne, New Jersey
's T-Bowl as the show's venue, and Milton Berle
took over as host.
Although the show now had a very popular performer as emcee (Berle), the series ended after six months – this time for good – on March 13, 1961.
bowling (and her husband Dickie Dawson in the audience).
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from January 9, 1959 to June 24, 1960 and again from September 19, 1960 to March 13, 1961.
Jackpot Bowling was the first national TV bowling show since Bowling Headliners
Bowling Headliners
Bowling Headliners was television's first regularly scheduled bowling show. Bowling Headliners aired on ABC from 1948-1949 and the DuMont Network from November 13, 1949 to April 9, 1950....
. The show aired on Fridays at 10:45 PM following the Cavalcade of Sports Friday Night Fight.
Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
was the show's first host, but bowed out after only two shows and was replaced by Mel Allen
Mel Allen
Mel Allen was an American sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Allen was arguably the most prominent member of his profession, his voice familiar to millions...
. Allen's lack of bowling knowledge made him an unpopular host, however. On April 10, 1959 Bud Palmer
Bud Palmer
John S. "Bud" Palmer is a former pro basketball player. He was a member of the original New York Knickerbockers, and was their leading scorer in their inaugural season 1946/47...
became the show's third host.
Allen returned in October 1959 and remained with the show until April 1960, after which Palmer returned and hosted through June.
The show was put on a brief hiatus after the June 24 episode. When it returned on September 19, 1960, a retooled version hit the airwaves; the series not only moved to Monday nights at 10:30, but Bayuk Cigars replaced Phillies Cigars
Phillies cigars
Phillies is a brand of American-made cigars, originally made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which the brand takes its name. Phillies cigars, originally produced by Bayuk Cigars, Inc., are presently manufactured by Altadis U.S.A., Inc., which is the American subsidiary of Spanish-based Altadis...
as sponsor, the Hollywood Legion Lanes replaced Wayne, New Jersey
Wayne, New Jersey
Wayne is a Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, located less than from midtown Manhattan. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069....
's T-Bowl as the show's venue, and Milton Berle
Milton Berle
Milton Berlinger , better known as Milton Berle, was an American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater , in 1948 he was the first major star of U.S. television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr...
took over as host.
Although the show now had a very popular performer as emcee (Berle), the series ended after six months – this time for good – on March 13, 1961.
Gameplay
Two players competed to bowl up to nine strikes. After each bowler took 9 turns, the player who bowled the most strikes won $1,000. Any player who bowled six strikes in a row won a jackpot which started at $5,000 and increased $1,000 each week it was not won.Episode status
The show's status is unknown. Five Berle episodes exist, including an instance where Harry Ritz bowled himself down the lane and got a strike, the January 2, 1961 episode with a $75,000 jackpot win, and the January 16 episode with Diana DorsDiana Dors
Diana Dors was an English actress, born Diana Mary Fluck in Swindon, Wiltshire. Considered the English equivalent of the blonde bombshells of Hollywood, Dors described herself as: "The only sex symbol Britain has produced since Lady Godiva."-Early life:Diana Mary Fluck was born in Swindon,...
bowling (and her husband Dickie Dawson in the audience).