Newly crowned Masters snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has put down his snooker cue for an epic road trip.
HISTORY's Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle – BT TV channel 327/379 HD - follows the baize bad boy as he traces 300 years of American history with TV presenter and friend Matt Smith.
From the streets of New York City and Ellis Island to playing baseball with the Chicago Cubs and visiting the home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, Ronnie and Matt visit some of America’s most famous landmarks and discover some of its hidden gems.
Along the way, Ronnie tests out his pool hustling skills against some of the USA's finest and most colourful characters and gets a flavour of American life in the pool halls and back streets.
Here are five reasons to watch Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle:
1. Ronnie like you've never seen him before
Most sports fans are used to watching Ronnie dominating snooker tables, but it's rare you see him on TV without a cue in his hand.
So it's something of a surprise to see him fronting his own TV show and quivering with a fear of heights at the top of a Manhattan skyscraper.
The Rocket opens up about his life and family history as he explores landmarks like Ellis Island, Sun Studio and the Civil Rights Museum.
Whether he's playing it cool in a Steve McQueen-style ’68 Mustang on the streets of San Francisco or acting like a kid in a sweet shop in snooker table makers Blatt Billiards, Ronnie sheds his enigmatic image to reveal a softer side.
2. Incredible USA travel tips
Ronnie and Matt travel from New York to Chicago, before visiting Memphis and finishing in San Francisco. The duo's destinations are famous, but they rarely take the most obvious route, scratching underneath the surface of the most famous American cities.
Whether they're shooting hoops on New York's basketball courts or exploring Al Capone's favourite Chicago haunt the Green Mill, this is the perfect travel show to watch for anyone planning an epic American road trip.
[Read more: 5 TV shows to watch before you book your next holiday]
3. The show is perfectly timed for Donald Trump's America
"I wouldn’t be here if England didn’t let in immigrants," reveals an emotional Ronnie as he recalls his own grandparents trip from Sicily to the UK.
O'Sullivan speaks passionately about the "positivity" of immigration and the hard-work and passion of the people who landed in the US and UK, which feels incredibly timely following Donald Trump's inauguration.
The snooker star also visits the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and gets a taste of cutting edge American in Silicon Valley, showcasing that there’s much more to the country than its larger-than-life new President.
4. Ronnie proves snooker players can be cool and funny
Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Parrot. Bad haircuts, stiff shirts and waistcoats. Hushed commentary and lengthy pauses for chalking.
Let’s be honest, snooker isn’t the sexiest or most glamourous of sports. However, Ronnie proves that potters can have personalities as he banters and charms his way around the US.
Whether he's ribbing his mate Matt or winding up locals in the pool halls for his latest hustle, The Rocket always has a cheeky glint in his eye.
5. The fantastic characters
'The Pearl', 'The Kid Delicious', 'The Black Widow', 'The Freezer'; it's fair to say that America's greatest ever pool players are not shy and retiring types.
Big personalities, big egos and highly competitive, Ronnie faces a serious challenge as he takes on the icons of the sport for bragging rights and national pride.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle - Thursdays at 10pm on HISTORY from January 26.
Watch HISTORY on BT TV channel 327/379 HD. The show will also be available on BT TV Catch-Up.
[Read more: What to watch on BT TV in January]
Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle - Thursdays at 10pm on HISTORY from January 26.
Watch HISTORY on BT TV channel 327/379 HD.
