Pardon My Genie

- Season 2

(1973)

Hal returns from a fortnight's holiday to find that the Genie has regenerated himself, and in so doing, accidentally changed his appearance. Even worse, he's lost the stocktaking ledger from the store.

Racing driver Graham Slope suffers a car breakdown in the countryside. After Hal and Mr. Cobbledick fail to make his life any easier, Hal decides to go one better - he gets the Genie to give Slope's car a special upgrade.

Mr. Cobbledick has bought some hens after his psychiatrist advised him to take up occupational therapy. But when he starts becoming stressed over their welfare, Hal decides to get the Genie to help.

Things are looking up for the store when Mr. Cobbledick gets to star in a new television commercial. Unfortunately, the genie decides to make every woman who sees the advert fall in love with him.

Hal has been put in charge of arranging food and entertainment at the local church fete. Determined to make a good impression, he gets the genie to help out.

Hal is overworked in the store, and can't keep up with Mr. Cobbledick's demands. However, the Genie is no use to him - he's come down with a strain of Spotted Pestilence.

Local thug Bertie Glossup considers Patricia his "bird", and is incensed when he sees Hal dancing with her. After Mr. Cobbledick is also threatened, Hal decides there's only one thing to do - appoint the Genie as their bodyguard.

Mr. Cobbledick's 50th birthday is due, so his brother Percy comes to the store to discuss his idea for a surprise present: a new suit. As Hal needs to get his measurements, he gets the Genie to conjure a sleeping spell while he finds out.

Mr. Cobbledick's 50th birthday arrives, but how will he get to enjoy it when he's still magically falling asleep every time he hears a bell?

Bertie Glossup threatens Mr. Cobbledick for wearing an exclusive hat the same as his. When Hal assures Mr. Cobbledick that he should continue wearing it, "and stick to it", the Genie takes his words literally, and the hat can't be removed.

With Mr. Cobbledick due to return from holiday, Hal asks for the Genie's help to clean the store. But a misunderstanding leaves Hal with an enlarged belly, and when the Genie loses his memory, there's no way to reverse the spell.

The social club committee has asked Mr. Cobbledick to find a female cook for the new club restaurant. Unfortunately this means all of his female customers are feeding him to hint they want the job - and poor Mr. Cobbledick has indigestion.

Hal, Mr. Cobbledick and Patricia are invited to the Thames Television Studios to be interviewed on Magpie as "average viewers". Hal insists that the Genie doesn't go along, but the Genie, concerned for his safety, ignores his request.