Pinpoint Bowling

1 9 7 1 (USA)

Two pro bowling champions tried to make tough shots involving pins in unusual configurations in this CBS show.

Over the course of 10 frames, each had to knock down a decreasing number of pins per frame – a Strike in the first frame, nine pins in the second, eight pins in the third frame, seven in the fourth, and so on – ad nauseum.

The nature of the competition required the pro bowlers – including Mike Orlovsky, Dick Battista, Dave Davis, Tim Harahan, Teata Semiz, Mike Limongello, Larry Lichstein, Mike Durbin, Don Russell, Butch Gearhart, Ed Bourdase, Don Carter, Wayne Zahn, Carmen Silvano, Bill Johnson and Dick Weber – to throw an increasingly poor ball with every successive shot.

There were two matches played per week, with $2,000 going to the winner and $500 to the loser. A perfect score of 300 won $25,000.

Despite its novelty, the show – which premiered on 30 May 1971 and ran until 12 September – did not appeal to bowling fans and failed to garner the ratings registered by Pro Bowlers Tour on ABC and went off quickly.

The host, Johnny Johnston, also created and produced the show.

Host
Johnny Johnston
Commentator
Pat Summerall