Saginaw Bowler Subject Of CBS Comedy 'How We Roll'

Update: March 28, 2022

Just over a year ago, I told you about a CBS television comedy show in the works based on the life of a Saginaw man named Tom Smallwood. At the time of my article (see below), not much was known about the show other than the fact it was based on Tom losing his job in the auto industry, and working his way up the professional bowling circuit.

'How We Roll' will premiere this Thursday evening, March 31st, on CBS. The exact show description is as follows,

HOW WE ROLL, based on professional bowler Tom Smallwood’s life, stars Pete Holmes as Tom, a stoic Midwest husband and dad who gets laid off from a car assembly line and makes the extraordinary decision to provide for his family by following his dream of becoming a professional bowler.

As a skilled player, Tom knows that in bowling you get two chances; no matter what you do with the first ball, you get another one to make it right—the ultimate second chance. Keeping that in mind, Tom begins his new career with the loving okay from his wife, Jen the unfaltering support of Archie, his mentor and the proud owner of Archie’s Lanes: Home of the Curly Fry, the cautious backing of his protective mom, Helen, and the encouragement of his son, Sam.

It remains to be seen if Tom will strike it big on the Pro Bowler circuit, but right now, the pins are set, he’s taking his second shot and it’s 300 or bust!

You can check out a video of the real Tom Smallwood in action below. I will definitely be watching on Thursday night, will you be?

We have all heard rags to riches stories, but how about the tale of a local man who went from an assembly-line job to a pro bowler - and is now the subject of an upcoming television pilot for CBS?

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After many years of talk about a movie, the life of Saginaw bowler Tom Smallwood will be the subject of a comedy for the small screen. I have to admit, it is quite a story. After being laid off from his auto industry job in 2008, he practiced bowling every day for hours. According to MLive, Smallwood worked his way toward the PBA trials and ended up placing third. I honestly don't know what that means, other than the fact that he is one hell of a bowler.

Proof of that is his numerous PBA titles and the amount of cash he has earned - over $700,000 dollars won on the PBA tour. Color me impressed! I don't know about you, but I am lucky to hit one pin when bowling. That may have something to do with the fact that I tend to spend more time in the bowling alley bar, than the lanes (that is a story for another time).

As far as who will portray Tom Smallwood on the show, that information is not known at this time (or just not made public as of now). I do know that Saginaw native Brian D'Arcy James is one of the producers. According to Wikipedia, he has starred in 'Hamilton' and '13 Reasons Why'.

Congratulations Tom Smallwood, this is really awesome. I am looking forward to watching your story.