Entertainment Brand Aligns With Iconic Balabushka Cue Company To Elevate the Sport of Billiards
Just Do GOOD Entertainment, the award-winning production company co-founded by Monty Hobbs and Valerie Smaldone, has officially expanded its slate of inspirational and purpose-driven storytelling to include the fascinating, often-underrated world of billiards.
At a recent high-profile fundraiser held at Amsterdam Billiards in New York City, Hobbs and Smaldone were seen alongside Peggy Mallen, the owner of the legendary Balabushka Cue Company. The event, held in support of Cue Queens, a docu-series highlighting the lives and rise of professional women pool players, marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership between the powerhouse production team and one of the most storied names in cue sports
Hobbs, no stranger to the game, began his billiards journey as a teenager. At just 17 years old, he owned and operated A Player’s Corner, a pool hall in his hometown of Roseboro, North Carolina. That small Southern town—with a population under 1,200—is also the home of billiards legend Earl Strickland, a three-time world champion and inductee into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. Hobbs, who grew up immersed in the sport’s culture, has always held a deep appreciation for its skill, its rhythm, and its often-overlooked role in small-town Americana.
Smaldone, a longtime broadcaster and media personality, brings fresh eyes and genuine curiosity to the world of billiards. A self-proclaimed novice at the table, she’s drawn to the rapidly rising profiles of female players, many of whom are building celebrity followings as they challenge perceptions and break barriers within the sport.
Their shared interest has sparked a new collaboration with Mallen, who has stewarded the Balabushka legacy into the modern era. Originally made famous by pool cue craftsman George Balabushka and immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money, the Balabushka name remains one of the most respected and recognizable in cue sports today.
Now, that legacy is poised for a new chapter.
Hobbs and Smaldone are integrating the Balabushka brand into their upcoming series Air Angels: Flight Helene, a dramatic, unscripted series spotlighting civilian and veteran pilots engaged in heroic missions of rescue and service. Filming is scheduled to begin in late July in Wilmington, North Carolina. As part of the collaboration, Mallen has donated custom Balabushka cues to the non-profit organization featured in the series—an act of generosity that will be recognized both on-screen and across Just Do GOOD’s promotional platforms.
The partnership doesn’t stop there. Behind the scenes, Hobbs, Smaldone, and Mallen are exploring ways to expose billiards to wider and more diverse audiences, particularly by tying the sport into popular culture and mainstream media narratives. Their goal is to elevate billiards beyond the smoky bar stereotype and into a spotlight that celebrates craftsmanship, character, and community.
“Billiards isn’t just a game—it’s a story,” said Hobbs. “From small towns to global tournaments, from legends like Earl Strickland to rising female stars, it’s time we show the heart behind the hustle. Balabushka represents that spirit. And we’re honored to help carry that torch.”
With multiple award-winning projects already under their belt and a proven track record of using media to create social impact, Just Do GOOD Entertainment is uniquely positioned to amplify the voice of the sport and honor its heritage.
More announcements are expected soon, including potential red carpet events, brand integrations, and major distribution opportunities that will tie together sports legacy, women empowerment, and the 40th anniversary of The Color of Money in 2026.
For updates and more information, visit:
www.justdogoodentertainment.com
www.balabushkacues.com