The Partridge Family

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ABC (ended 1974)
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Show Summary

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In 1970, the Partridge Family was among the top-selling recording acts, not to mention one of the top-rated TV shows of its time. Either way, it made David Cassidy a successful teen idol until the show's cancellation in 1974.

The Partridge Family consisted of Shirley Partridge (keyboards, vocals) and her five kids: Keith (lead vocalist and guitar), Laurie (keyboards, vocals), Danny (bass guitar, vocals), Chris (drums), and Tracy (tambourine). Rounding out the cast was their manager, Reuben Kincaid.

With the exception of Shirley Jones and David Cassidy, none of the actors on the show actually sang or played on the group's records. In fact this was done by professional studio musicians and singers, with the family lip-synching to the tracks on camera. In fact, David Cassidy was originally hired for his looks, but when the producers found out that he could sing they realized that they could use him in the real band.

Many of the episode plots draw upon the comedic relationship between Reuben (Dave Madden) and Danny (Danny Bonaduce). These two were good friends both on and off the set. Other plot devices were Keith's good looks and popularity at school, Laurie's 70's style activism and some of the strange encounters that the family had when on the road in their bus.

The Partridge Family was true wholesome family programming. At the time Shirley Partridge was one of the the first single mother's to be featured on a television show. Originally the scripts called for her to be divorced, but this was changed to describe her as a widow.

Telecast: ABC September 25, 1970 - August 31, 1974 Broadcast History (all ET): Sept. 1970 - Jun. 1973, ABC Friday 8:30 - 9:00 P.M. Jun. 1973 - Aug. 1974, ABC Saturday 8:00 - 8:30 P.M. 96 Episodes In Color On Film.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 4 :  Ep 22 Aired 3/23/74
S 4 :  Ep 21 Aired 3/16/74
S 4 :  Ep 20 Aired 3/9/74
S 4 :  Ep 19 Aired 3/2/74
S 4 :  Ep 18 Aired 2/23/74

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Fan Reviews (15)

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  • Music, Comedy, and More!

    8.1
    "Great"
    By revbucky, Jul 25, 2008
    What do you get when you combine good wholesome comedy, peppy music, and a teen idol heart throb? Of course the answer is: The Partridge Family. This was one of those must watch shows when I was growing up.

    Most viewers were sympathetic of Shirley Partridge and her efforts as a single parent to not only raise a family, but keep a musical group together. When you consider the shenanigans of Danny Partridge, it would be tough for two parents to keep peace in the home.

    My favorite part of the show was the music. My mother was a musician, so I eagerly wait to hear the "hits" that the Partridge Family sang. Looking back now, I laugh at lip syncing. But there will always be a special place in my heart for this show.moreless

  • A very hippie looking family tours around the country while touching the lives of the people around them

    8.0
    "Great"
    By twilightboy, Mar 24, 2008
    Your regular middle class American family composed of a mother and 5 kids (with the help of a very good friend) bring us episode after episode that famous people can have a regular and normal life. Why are they a famous family? I forgot to tell you that the Partridges have put together a rock band and they are very succesful at it. The stories are very unreal or betters said, the family deals with them in a very imaginative way. Happy endings and a perfect world plague this show. But, I guess that's what this show is all about. Showing us a perfecto world so different to the real world we live in.moreless

  • this show is the greatest show of the 1970s

    10
    "Perfect"
    By wmms1993, Nov 25, 2006
    this show is great. david cassidy and shirly jones are the only ones who sing in the show the rest is deffernt people. david played the man of the house shirly played the care loving mom. danny bonaduce played danny the smart guy . susan dey plays laurie the oldest girl in the house. dave madden plays the manager of the partridge family. some of their hits are: come on get happy, ill meet you half way, echo vally 26809 , pont me in the deriction of albacurcey, having a ball, why did the music stop, summer days,baby i love love love you. even though i was born in 1990's i know all about the greatest show in 1970. I will neverr forget about the partridge family...


    gegemoreless

  • Not to be forgotten!

    8.0
    "Great"
    By GeorgeJobson, Oct 23, 2006
    I fell in love with the Partridge Family," way back in March 1971, when my father brough home a "Partridge Family." I played it over and over again. Every time hear a song from the Partridge Family" it brought back memories. I love the family very much. I dream about joining the band. But that was me at age 11 with dreams of becoming big. I watch the show every Friday night. I never got tired of the show. when it was cancelled, It was a sad day. "I think I Love You" was a good song, but not the best. I heard song from them that are better. I love Shirley Jones and Susan Dey. I love the rest of the family. If ylou ask me, The Partridge Famil;y are my role models.moreless

  • A 1970's comedy about a singing family.

    8.7
    "Great"
    By LostShield, Jun 26, 2006
    this is a story of a mom and her five children that form a singing group. Not a bad show for the time. It was a little sad to find out that Keith, played by David Cassidy, hated the music he was forced to sing. He and Danny Bonaduce both fell on hard times after the series ended with substance abuse problems and others life problems. The shows were of your cookie cutter family comedy variety. Nothing groundbreaking or trend setting, just average and fun. Shirley Jones played the mother Shirley Partridge. Shirley had a huge movie career before this show. Susan Dey as Laurie Partridge probably had the biggest career after the show. She went on to star on such shows as L.A. Law and Emerald Point N.A.S. Just kind of a fun , guilty pleasure , kind of show.
    moreless
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Themes

goodie two shoes, large family, music and dancing, musical numbers, quirky soundtrack

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