User Reviews

"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.

Jim Backus in this episode saves it from being a total disaster. He is very good at being a pool "hustler" The series is limping to the end with another poorly written show. After all these years Tony is still screaming like a mad man when Jeannie appears in his jacket???

Why would Jeannie go under the pool table??? Everyone would notice her immediately. Tony then uses the talcum powder to try and cause a diversion???? You can definitely tell it is the 60's when Backus says pool is a man's game and no women allowed. Why were they hitting numbered balls instead of the cue ball?????