VERY VERY: Pool Hustler

Back in the mid-1990s, Nick at Nite ran a programming block on the weekends called "Very Very Nick at Nite," which looked at four episodes with a similar theme. Now I will look at four sitcom episodes from across the decades that have a similar plot or theme. This week's topic is Very Very Pool Hustler!

This Week's Episodes

The Brady Bunch #116 "The Hustler" (First Aired: March 1, 1974)

After Mike gets a pool table from his boss, Bobby becomes an expert in pool and takes on Mike's boss at a party.

The penultimate episode of The Brady Bunch (and the last to feature Robert Reed) is a Bobby-centric episode that features Jim Backus in a guest role as Mike's boss. It sort of feels like nothing really happens though. The episode seems like its steering towards Bobby getting a comeuppance for his pool obsessions but then he just beats Mike's boss and the episode sort of just... ends? I'm used to my Brady Bunch episodes having a lesson attached!

The Dick Van Dyke Show #35 "Hustling the Hustler" (First Aired: October 24, 1962)

Without knowing he's a pool shark, Rob invites Buddy's brother Blackie to dinner and a friendly game of pool.

This episode features great writing and a strong guest appearance from Phil Leeds as Buddy's brother. He really seems like a smuttier version of Buddy and his scenes with Dick Van Dyke (which take up large chunks of the episode) are great. Those pool scenes could drag on but they don't because of the evolution Leeds has as he slowly swindles Rob. The ending is clever too.

Get Smart #18 "The Dead Spy Scrawls" (First Aired: January 22, 1966)

CONTROL sends Max undercover to a pool hall to determine the location of a KAOS communication center.

There are some fun moments in this episode and Don Adams (who was apparently an expert pool player in real life) plays the hapless Max well. I like the intensity of the episode and the stylistic look of the pool hall, which features a guest appearance by Leonard Nimoy. But I think the trick they use (a remote controlled pool ball) is a little bit too convenient even for ridiculous Get Smart plot devices. It sort of dilutes the final scene.

I Dream of Jeannie #134 "Help, Help, A Shark" (First Aired: March 3, 1970)

After causing General Schaeffer to lose a pool match, Tony must win on his behalf so he and Jeannie can go on vacation.

Jim Backus must have loved pool because he also guest stars in this episode, which aired a few years before The Brady Bunch one. This episode, which came near the end of the run of the show, felt pretty tired as far as Jeannie's involvement for helping Tony out (not to mention her being locked outside the pool room took way to long for her to just zap herself inside, which she ultimately did). Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden both seem a little bored by the material.

Best Episode: The Dick Van Dyke Show

This was by far the most clever episode and it had the best use of pool as a game. After watching four episodes I realized it can get pretty tiring to watch pool. This one kept it fresh.

Best Fit for the Theme: The Dick Van Dyke Show - it really featured a sleazy hustler in a way the others didn't.

Standout Performer: Phil Leeds, The Dick Van Dyke Show

Runners-Up: Don Adams (Get Smart), Dick Van Dyke (The Dick Van Dyke Show)

Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV News Stories of the Week!

Next Thursday: Very Very Playwriting!