"Help, Help, a Shark" found veteran funny man Jim Backus in familiar territory, hustling on the pool table, something he'd already done on GILLIGAN'S ISLAND and would continue on THE BRADY BUNCH. Gen. Schaeffer is about to defeat his Houston rival, Gen. Charles Fitzhugh (Backus), for the first time in 25 years, only for Tony to ruin things by yelling because of Jeannie's interference. Major Nelson manages to convince Fitzhugh to give Schaeffer another chance, but once again Jeannie proves a jinx, the long suffering general unable to play with a broken hand. Naturally, Jeannie blinks a pool table in the Nelson home and demonstrates her husband's incredible acumen for multiple balls in one shot. Fitzhugh agrees to play Tony rather than the injured Schaeffer, but is unwilling to allow a woman to attend, forcing Jeannie to accomplish her magic from someplace else. The tense climax is unexpected yet fitting.