Jackpot Bowling

The bowling show where contestants bowl for bucks.

Broadcast
NBC - January 9, 1959 - June 24, 1960, September 19, 1960 - March 13, 1961.

Packagers
NBC Productions (1959-1960) Sagebrush Productions (1960-1961)

Hosts
Leo Durocher (1/1959) Mel Allen (1/59-4/59, 10/59-4/60) Bud Palmer (4/59-10/59, 4/60-6/60) Milton Berle (1960-1961)

Play-by-Play
Chick Hearn

Bayuk Cigar Girl
Laurie Brady

Gameplay
Two competing bowlers faced-off against each other in nine frames of bowling. Unlike regular bowling, only strikes count for this show. Each player competed to bowl as many strikes as they can. The bowler to make the most strikes wins the match. Any player who bowled six strikes in a row (or scored two turkeys) not only automatically won the match, but also won an increasing jackpot which started at $5,000, and grew by $1,000 for each show it's not won. The winner of the match would also earn a chance to face the "King of the Hill" bowler for the giant jackpot. The winner of that match wins $1,000 in cash and returns as the "King of the Hill" next week.

When Milton Berle took over the show, celebrity guests came aboard to bowl for their favorite charities.

Trivia
The original name for Jackpot Bowling was called Phillies Jackpot Bowling due to the fact that Phillies Cigars sponsored the show. After Milton Berle took over, the show changed cigar brand sponsors to Bayuk Cigars.

In one episode, the late actress Diana Dors bowled for her favorite charity. During that time, Diana's husband (whom was in the audience that night) was Dickie Dawson, better known as Richard Dawson, the future host of Goodson/Todman's Family Feud.

Bowling Alley Sets
During the Phillies Jackpot Bowling years, the show was set in T-Bowl bowling alley in Wayne, New Jersey. Also Hollywood Bowling Lanes in Queens, New York and Woodhaven Lanes also in Queens, New York.

In the Milton Berle era, Jackpot Bowling was set at Hollywood Legion Lanes in Hollywood.

Link
A full episode of Jackpot Bowling featuring Diana Dors @ tv4u.com