How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
New series pairs world-class billiards players, comfort food
- Details
- Tuesday, 24 February 2026
- Written by Adam Taylor
The haze of smoky pool halls and the stereotype of greasy bar food are fading into history. In their place, a cultural revival is underway. With the pool table market projected to grow by nearly $85 million by the end of the decade, driven largely by a wave of younger enthusiasts, billiards is enjoying a renaissance that blends heritage with modern appeal.
Now, a new television series aims to capture that momentum by pairing legendary cue artists with the flavors that shaped their lives. Grace the Table is an episodic series that brings together world-class billiards players and the nostalgia of comfort food for intimate, revealing conversations far from the tournament spotlight. At its heart lies a simple, but compelling question: What happens when the greatest players in professional pool come “to the table” not to compete, but to connect, over meals rooted in childhood memory and tradition?
The series is hosted by Allison Fisher, widely regarded as the world’s top female billiards player and known globally as “The Duchess of Doom.” Over a career spanning decades, Fisher has built a legacy defined by precision, dominance and grace under pressure. Now, she steps into a new role; one that swaps the intensity of tournament play for the warmth of shared stories and shared plates.
“Billiards has given me a lifelong passion, and with Grace the Table, I get to celebrate the players who’ve defined it,” Fisher said. “Sharing great food and even better stories with these icons is an experience I’m thrilled to bring to audiences everywhere.”
Each episode invites a legendary figure in professional pool to sit down with Fisher for open, personal conversations about life, love, competition and cuisine. The atmosphere is intimate and reflective. The pool cues may be nearby, but they are secondary to the laughter, vulnerability and memories served alongside Southern staples and beloved family recipes.
Earl Strickland, winner of more than 100 championships and three world titles, brings decades of fiery competitiveness and unfiltered candor. Known for his intensity at the table, Strickland offers viewers a different side, reflecting on the sacrifices and passions that fueled his storied career. Jeanette Lee, famously dubbed “The Black Widow,” is recognized worldwide for her fierce competitive edge and magnetic presence. Ewa Mataya Laurance, known as “The Striking Viking,” brings the perspective of a trailblazer and Hall of Famer who helped redefine opportunities for women in billiards. And Mike Sigel, a Billiards Hall of Fame inductee and technical advisor on The Color of Money, shares stories from an era that helped propel pool into mainstream pop culture.
Behind the scenes, the series is produced by Dirty Laundry Picture Company, an independent, creator-led studio based in Clinton, North Carolina. Founded in 2025 by producer Monty Hobbs, DLPC was established as Sampson County’s first professional film studio, bringing high-end cinematic production capabilities to a region historically underserved by the entertainment industry. For Hobbs, the project is both professional and personal.
“Being from this area, I find food and billiards go hand in hand,” Hobbs said. “Producing a show with legends in the sport, talking about their lives while indulging in the food from their childhood that provides comfort is everything that I could ask for.”
From a producer’s standpoint, Hobbs believes Grace the Table stands apart from traditional sports programming or food-centric series.
“It has never been done before,” he said. “All these world-class legendary players under one roof. You’re not just watching highlights or recipes. You’re watching history sit down together.”
The Fayetteville and Clinton area was selected intentionally. According to Hobbs, Southeastern North Carolina’s deep roots in pool culture and its rich tradition of down-home cooking made it the perfect setting.
“The area has such deep roots to the pool and is rich in comfort food and down-home cooking,” he said. “Why not shed some light on the history of southeastern North Carolina?”
The series also carries emotional resonance beyond the spotlighted legends. One behind-the-scenes moment Hobbs described as especially meaningful involves Fisher and her mother, Christine, sharing in the experience together during filming; a reminder that even the fiercest competitors are grounded in family.
Beyond entertainment, Grace the Table represents an opportunity to elevate Eastern North Carolina’s growing film and television industry. With DLPC’s commitment to authentic storytelling grounded in real-world relevance, Hobbs hopes national audiences will take notice of the region’s creative potential.
“We hope big,” Hobbs said. “All my shows have national airings and followings. Hopefully, people can see the area’s beauty, and the legends can film here as well.”
An anticipated release is slated for late summer to early fall 2026. When audiences finally pull up a chair, Hobbs hopes they leave with more than admiration for the players’ accolades.
“Love, affection and a warm feeling,” he said. “A show that is geared toward relaxing in a world that we surely need.”
In an era defined by rapid content consumption and relentless competition, Grace the Table offers something slower and more nourishing… a reminder that behind every champion is a story, and behind every story, a table where it all began.
(Graphic courtesy of Dirty Laundry Picture Company)
“Behind the scenes, many people are contributing their expertise and teamwork,” he said. “Their commitment is helping bring this vision to life.”
