List of The Partridge Family episodes

The following is a list of episodes for the American television sitcom The Partridge Family. All four seasons have been released on DVD by Sony Pictures.

Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
125September 25, 1970 (1970-09-25)March 19, 1971 (1971-03-19)
224September 17, 1971 (1971-09-17)March 17, 1972 (1972-03-17)
325September 15, 1972 (1972-09-15)March 23, 1973 (1973-03-23)
422September 15, 1973 (1973-09-15)March 23, 1974 (1974-03-23)

Episodes

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Season 1 (1970–71)

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TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"What? And Get Out of Show Business?"Jerry ParisBernard SladeSeptember 25, 1970 (1970-09-25)

When their mother (Shirley Jones) fills in for a sick singer, The Partridge Family is born. Danny (Danny Bonaduce) persuades Reuben Kincaid (Dave Madden) to manage them and they play their first performance, which might also be their last.

Cameo appearance made by: Johnny Cash

Songs: "Let the Good Times In"; "Together (Havin' a Ball)"
22"The Sound of Money"Peter BaldwinMartin RagawayOctober 2, 1970 (1970-10-02)

A minor fender bender turns into a major pain for the Partridges when they decide to fight a fraudulent lawsuit from Whiplash Willie.

Guest Stars: Harry Morgan as 'Whiplash' Willie Larkin, and Farrah Fawcett

Song: "I'll Leave Myself a Little Time"
33"Whatever Happened to the Old Songs?"Jerrold BernsteinBernard SladeOctober 9, 1970 (1970-10-09)

Shirley's dad is having a mid-life crisis and decides to hit the road with the band to pursue his long-lost dream of being a star, but will his act appeal to the new generation?

Guest Stars: Ray Bolger and Rosemary DeCamp as Fred and Amanda Renfrew

Songs: "Baby I Love Love, I Love You"; "Together (Havin' a Ball)"; "On the Road"; "Bye Bye Blackbird"
44"See Here, Private Partridge!"Claudio GuzmánGordon Mitchell,
Lloyd Turner
October 16, 1970 (1970-10-16)

Just as they're about to record their first album, the Partridges have a bomb dropped on them: ten-year-old Danny's been drafted into the Army.

Guest stars: Jack Riley as Corporal Wrzesinski, Jonathan Daly as Officer Moody

Song: "On the Road"
55"When Mother Gets Married"Ralph SenenskyBernard SladeOctober 23, 1970 (1970-10-23)

Shirley begins dating an old flame but the kids are suspicious of him, especially when they see him leave a jewelry store with a beautiful young woman.

Guest Stars: John McMartin as Larry, Jaclyn Smith as Tina

Songs: "I Really Want to Know You"
66"Love at First Slight"Bob ClaverSteven PritzkerOctober 30, 1970 (1970-10-30)

Now that their record is out, Keith finds himself with major girl trouble: he cannot keep them away from him! But his troubles really begin when he falls for the one who doesn't care who he is.

Guest stars: Lane Bradbury as Janet, Claire Wilcox as Cathy

Song: "Somebody Wants To Love You"
77"Danny and the Mob"Jerrold BernsteinRon FriedmanNovember 6, 1970 (1970-11-06)

While performing in Las Vegas, Danny tutors the beautiful girlfriend of a mob boss in finances so she can leave town and finds himself with a new hit but one that has nothing to do with music.

Guest Stars: Pat Harrington Jr. as Harry, Barbara Rhoades as LaVon LaVerne, Richard Bakalyan as Skee, Vic Tayback as Rocco

Song: "That'll Be the Day"
88"But the Memory Lingers On"E.W. SwackhamerBernard SladeNovember 13, 1970 (1970-11-13)

The Partridge Family is about to leave a different kind of lasting impression on their audience after a skunk hitches a ride on their bus and leaves them . . . and all their clothes . . . covered with the unpleasant scent.

Songs: "I Think I Love You", "Brand New Me"
99"Did You Hear the One About Danny Partridge?"Paul Junger WittRon FriedmanNovember 20, 1970 (1970-11-20)

After a mishap onstage leaves the audience laughing, Danny takes it upon himself to provide a little comic relief to their show. Unfortunately, he's not as funny as he thinks he is.

Guest Stars: Morey Amsterdam as Ziggy Shnurr, Jackie Coogan as Max Pepper

Songs: "Somebody Wants to Love You", "All of the Things"
1010"Go Directly to Jail"Claudio GuzmánDale McRavenNovember 27, 1970 (1970-11-27)

The Partridge Family find themselves with a captive audience when they perform at a prison, but then find themselves being held captive by a prisoner who wants them to hear his songs.

Guest Star: Stuart Margolin as Hank

Songs: "Singin' My Song", "Only a Moment Ago"
1111"This Is My Song"Jerry ParisRichard De RoyDecember 4, 1970 (1970-12-04)

While Keith struggles with a creative dry spell, Danny attempts to write his first hit. Their sibling rivalry peaks when Danny writes a great song just as Keith has a breakthrough with the exact same tune.

Songs: "To Be Lovers"
1212"My Son, the Feminist"Peter BaldwinRichard De RoyDecember 11, 1970 (1970-12-11)

Keith promises his feminist girlfriend that the Partridge Family will perform at an upcoming rally, which puts them under attack from the morality watchdog group in their neighborhood.

Guest Star: Jane Actman as Tina

Song: "I Think I Love You"
1313"Star Quality"Harry FalkBernard SladeDecember 18, 1970 (1970-12-18)

When Danny gets singled out in a review by a prominent journalist, the praise goes to his head and he decides to go solo. But he changes his mind when he sees his family happily auditioning for his replacement.

Guest Stars: Dick Clark as himself, Mitzi Hoag as Sheila Faber

Song: "Singin' My Song"
1414"The Red Woodloe Story"Peter BaldwinCoslough JohnsonJanuary 1, 1971 (1971-01-01)

During a stopover in a small town, the Partridges offer to revive the career of a folk legend who's been out of circulation for twenty years, but find that he would rather sing in church than be in the spotlight.

Guest Star: William Schallert as Red Woodloe

Songs: "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat", "Find Peace in Your Soul"
1515"Mom Drops Out"Harry FalkPeter MeyersonJanuary 8, 1971 (1971-01-08)

Reuben books a European tour but there's one condition: the groovy promoter thinks Shirley's too old. She quits the band, but discovers she has fans there after all.

Guest Star: Gino Conforti as Logan Mays

Songs: "Baby I Love Love, I Love You"; "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat"
1616"Old Scrapmouth"Herbert KenwithJames S. HenersonJanuary 15, 1971 (1971-01-15)

Laurie gets braces right before a television show comes to film the band. As if that isn't bad enough, when they begin to play, her braces pick up radio signals and all she can hear is The Rolling Stones!

Guest Star: Mark Hamill as Jerry

Song: "The Love Song"
1717"Why Did the Music Stop?"Alan RafkinBernard SladeJanuary 22, 1971 (1971-01-22)

Shirley has doubts about what being on the road is doing to the Partridges' lives so she suggests they take a break and start living like a normal family again. But she forgets one thing: they're not a normal family.

Guest Star: Richard Mulligan as Dr. Jim Lucas

Songs: "I'm Here, You're Here"; "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat"
1818"The Soul Club"Paul Junger WittHarry Winkler,
Harry Dolan
January 29, 1971 (1971-01-29)

Due to a booking mix-up, two Detroit club owners expecting the Temptations get the Partridge Family instead. Can they find an audience in Motown?

Guest Stars: Richard Pryor as A.E. Simon, Louis Gossett Jr. as Sam Simon

Song: "Bandala"

Note: In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode #78 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes.[1]
1919"To Play or Not to Play"Ralph SenenskyStan Cutler,
Martin Donovan
February 5, 1971 (1971-02-05)

Laurie refuses to cross the picket line and play when the hotel workers where they're scheduled to perform go out on strike.

Guest Stars: Harvey Lembeck as Marino, Michael Lembeck as Marc

Songs: "There's No Doubt in My Mind"; "Umbrella Man"
2020"They Shoot Managers, Don't They?"Peter BaldwinGordon Mitchell,
Lloyd Turner
February 12, 1971 (1971-02-12)

The Partridges are happy for Reuben when he falls in love and decides to marry, even though his new life doesn't include managing the band – but the band quickly finds they can't manage without him.

Guest Star: Nancy Malone as Cathleen

Song: "She'd Rather Have the Rain"
2121"Partridge Up a Pear Tree"Ralph SenenskyGordon Mitchell,
Lloyd Turner
February 19, 1971 (1971-02-19)

Danny forces Keith to put the brakes on his spending when his car drains his finances and he realizes he may not be able to afford to take his girlfriend to the prom.

Guest Stars: Annette O'Toole as Carol, Carl Ballantine as Pitchman

Song: "You Are Always on My Mind"
2222"Road Song"Alan RafkinDale McRavenFebruary 26, 1971 (1971-02-26)

The Partridges find themselves in the middle of a domestic squabble when they give a ride to a teenage girl—who turns out to be a serial runaway, with the police hot on her trail.

Guest Stars: Laurie Prange as Maggie Newton, Sandy Kenyon as Maggie's Father, Ian Wolfe as Grandpa

Song: "Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque"
2323"Not with My Sister, You Don't!"Mel SwopeDale McRavenMarch 5, 1971 (1971-03-05)

The rumor mill starts buzzing at school when a hot new guy arrives on campus. Keith initially sees him as a rival until Laurie, who doesn't believe the rumors, accepts a date with the alleged Lothario.

Guest Star: Michael Ontkean as Lester Braduck Song: "I'll Meet You Halfway"

Note: Susan Dey and Michael Ontkean would work together again in the 1993 made-for-TV movie "Whose Child is This? The War for Baby Jessica", based on the then-recent custody fight over a young girl named Jessica DeBoer.
2424"A Partridge by Any Other Name"Harry FalkRon FriedmanMarch 12, 1971 (1971-03-12)

A series of coincidences leads Danny to believe he was adopted and there doesn't seem to be anything anyone can say to convince him he's a natural-born Partridge.

Guest Stars: Bernard Fox as Marty Burnes, Ned Glass as Detective Harry Klein, Art Metrano as Mike Young

Songs: "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted"; "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat"
2525"A Knight in Shining Armor"Earl BellamyBernard SladeMarch 19, 1971 (1971-03-19)

When the Partridges introduce a hip, multi-talented musician to a square, tone-deaf poet, no one expects them to score a hit—but somehow they manage to do just that.

Guest Stars: Bobby Sherman as Bobby Conway and Wes Stern as Lionel Poindexter

Song: "Stephanie"

Notes: This was Jeremy Gelbwaks' final episode as Chris Partridge.

Back-door pilot for the short-lived series Getting Together. An unaired version of this episode, titled "Words And Music", runs 33 minutes, and guest-stars Farrah Fawcett and Pat Boone.

Season 2 (1971–72)

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TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
261"Dora, Dora, Dora"Ralph SenenskyGordon Mitchell,
Lloyd Turner
September 17, 1971 (1971-09-17)

The Partridges learn that Reuben has booked them as backup for a beautiful 18-year-old girl...whose singing voice makes Jean Stapleton sound like Judy Garland.

Guest stars: Robyn Millan as Dora Kelly, Jack Burns as Stillman Kelly

Song: "I Woke Up In Love This Morning"

Notes: Brian Forster's first episode as Chris Partridge. This episode debuts "Come On, Get Happy" (which used the same tune as "When We're Singing") as the new opening theme.
272"In 25 Words or Less"Richard KinonMartin RagawaySeptember 24, 1971 (1971-09-24)

In order to boost publicity for the family, Reuben stages a contest in which the winner will spend a week with the Partridges. Unfortunately, the winner is a 60-year-old Jewish mother.

Guest star: Kay Medford as Gloria Neugast

Songs: "Echo Valley 2-6809"
283"A Man Called Snake"Richard KinonAlan Mandel,
Bernard Slade
October 1, 1971 (1971-10-01)

A motorcycle gang member develops a crush on Laurie, and she shocks everyone when she agrees to go out with him.

Guest Star: Rob Reiner as Snake

Song: "Listen To The Sound"
294"The Undergraduate"Ralph SenenskySusan SilverOctober 8, 1971 (1971-10-08)

When Shirley enrolls in college, one of her male classmates develops a crush on her, much to the chagrin of his parents.

Guest stars: Michael Burns as Paul Bruner, Norman Fell and Ann Morgan Guilbert as Mr. and Mrs. Bruner

Song: "Brown Eyes"
305"Anatomy of a Tonsil"Lou AntonioCoslough JohnsonOctober 15, 1971 (1971-10-15)

Danny has to have his tonsils out and as the operation approaches, he believes he is going to die. Afterward, he believes he has lost his singing voice.

Guest star: Gary Dubin in his first of several appearances as Danny's best friend Punky Lazaar

Song: "Love Is All That I Ever Needed"
316"Whatever Happened to Moby Dick?"E.W. SwackhamerPeggy Chantler DickOctober 22, 1971 (1971-10-22)

Danny wants to add a singing whale to the act in order to cash in on the ecology movement.

Guest stars: Bert Convy as Dr. Whelander, Dub Taylor as Flicker, and Howard Cosell as himself

Song: "Whale Song"
327"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Partridge"Mel SwopeWilliam S. BickleyOctober 29, 1971 (1971-10-29)

Keith is determined to be a good influence on his brothers and sisters, but goes overboard with his good intentions.

Song: "Summer Days"

Note: Keith reveals his middle name is Douglas
338"Days of Acne and Roses"Richard KinonDale McRavenNovember 5, 1971 (1971-11-05)

The Partridges help a young, awkward delivery boy build up his confidence in the dating department.

Song: "I'm On My Way Back Home"

Note: Future It's a Living star Ann Jillian appears in this episode as "Girl No. 2" towards the end of the episode.
349"Tale of Two Hamsters"Roger DuchownyGordon Mitchell,
Lloyd Turner
November 12, 1971 (1971-11-12)

When the Partridge kids decide to raise hamsters and their little pets keep multiplying, the family is forced to bring them along on tour.

Guest star: Gordon Jump as Albertson

Songs: "24 Hours A Day"; "I Woke Up In Love This Morning"

Note: Brian Forster's Chris Partridge is seen autographing a copy of the family's debut LP, "The Partridge Family Album", although it is the first Chris (Jeremy Gelbwaks) in the group photo on the back cover.
3510"The Forty-Year Itch"Ralph SenenskySteven PritzkerNovember 19, 1971 (1971-11-19)

Shirley's mom and dad are about to split up over his new hip lifestyle, so the family devises a plan to get them back together.

Guest Stars: Ray Bolger and Rosemary DeCamp as Fred and Amanda Renfrew

Songs: "Together"; "My Best Girl"
3611"I Can Get It for You Retail"Russ MayberryBernard SladeNovember 26, 1971 (1971-11-26)

In order to buy his mom a mink coat for her birthday, Danny starts stealing and selling off Keith's possessions to his lovesick fans.

Song: "Every Little Bit O' You"
3712"Guess Who's Coming to Drive?"Ralph SenenskyBob RodgersDecember 10, 1971 (1971-12-10)

The Partridges hire a temporary bus driver who turns out to be an ex-con.

Guest star: Milt Kamen as Johnny

Song: "Rainmaker"
3813"Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa"Richard KinonBernard SladeDecember 17, 1971 (1971-12-17)

When their bus breaks down in a ghost town, it looks like the family will miss Christmas, so a prospector entertains them with a Christmas tale set in the Old West.

Guest star: Dean Jagger as Charlie

Song: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
3914"Where Do Mermaids Go?"Lou AntonioPeggy Chantler DickDecember 31, 1971 (1971-12-31)

A free-spirited girl leaves the Partridges one million dollars, and suddenly their lives are turned upside down as they deal with their newfound wealth.

Guest Star: Meredith Baxter as Jenny

Song: "It's Time That I Knew You Better"
4015"Home Is Where the Heart Was"Jerry LondonDick Bensfield,
Perry Grant
January 7, 1972 (1972-01-07)

After Chris and Tracy are scolded for leaving a mess, they decide to run away . . . to Reuben's apartment.

Guest Star: Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmidt

Songs: "I Would Have Loved You Anyway", "Summer Days"
4116"Fellini, Bergman, and Partridge"Jerome CourtlandMartin CohanJanuary 14, 1972 (1972-01-14)

Keith tries to prove he is a great filmmaker, but not everyone thinks so . . . until a movie theater agrees to show his "masterpiece".

Song: "Hello, Hello"
4217"Waiting for Bolero"Jerry LondonMartin CohanJanuary 21, 1972 (1972-01-21)

In order to be independent, Keith moves into a room in the house next door.

Song: "Every Song Is You"
4318"I Am Curious . . . Partridge"Lou AntonioBob RodgersJanuary 28, 1972 (1972-01-28)

Keith and Shirley get some unsavory publicity when Danny writes a story about them for the local paper.

Song: "If You Ever Go"
4419"My Heart Belongs to a Two-Car Garage"Jerry LondonWilliam S. BickleyFebruary 4, 1972 (1972-02-04)

A Russian handyman, who claims to be a world-class artist, paints a nude woman on the family's garage that puts the neighborhood in an uproar.

Guest Star: Arte Johnson as Nicholas Minsky Pushkin

Song: "Last Night"
4520"H-e-l-l-l-l-l-p!!!"Paton PriceDale McRavenFebruary 11, 1972 (1972-02-11)

When the Partridge women go camping in the wilderness, the Partridge men decide to follow them, just in case they need to be rescued.

Guest Star: Cindy Henderson as Girl Scout

Song: "I'm On My Way Back Home"
4621"Promise Her Anything, But Give Her a Punch"Bob ClaverDale McRavenFebruary 18, 1972 (1972-02-18)

Danny is in love for the first time. But the 11-year-old girl he would like to ask to the sixth grade dance would rather go with Keith.

Guest Star: Patti Cohoon as Gloria Hickey

Song: "I Would Have Loved You Anyway"
4722"The Partridge Papers"Jerry LondonWilliam S. BickleyMarch 3, 1972 (1972-03-03)

Danny donates Laurie's diary to the school auction by mistake, and the editor threatens to publish it in the high school paper. This includes a Mission: Impossible send-up.

Song: "It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)".
4823"All's War in Love and Fairs"Mel SwopeJohn WilderMarch 10, 1972 (1972-03-10)

A married couple tries to get the Partridges to perform at a benefit in order to aid Native Americans.

Guest star: Harry Morgan as Cal

Songs: "Come On, Love", "Rainmaker"
4924"Who Is Max Ledbetter, and Why Is He Saying All Those Horrible Things?"Christopher MorganBernie KahnMarch 17, 1972 (1972-03-17)

A former psychic whose business is in trouble cons Danny and Keith into lending him money by predicting bad luck during an upcoming Partridge Family concert.

Guest star: John Banner as Max Ledbetter

Song: "You Don't Have To Tell Me"

Season 3 (1972–73)

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TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
501"This Male Chauvinist Piggy Went to Market"Richard KinonBernard Slade,
Dale McRaven
September 15, 1972 (1972-09-15)

Laurie embarrasses Keith by defending him from Goose, the school bully.

Guest Stars: James Carroll Jordan as Goose, David Jollife as 1st Biker, Tim Patrick as Guy, Cindy Cassell as Girl

Song: "God Bless You Girl"
512"M Is for the Many Things"Lou AntonioBernard Slade,
William S. Bickley
September 22, 1972 (1972-09-22)

Shirley is chosen as "Mother of The Year" by a magazine, but she and the family experience a not-so-smooth journey to the award ceremony in Sacramento.

Guest stars: Edgar Buchanan as Judge McElwreath, Rick Hurst as Deputy Haynie, Yvonne Wilder as Sheila, Mitzi Hoag as Mrs. Halfussi, Jack Lukes as Driver

Song: "As Long As There's You"
523"Princess and The Partridge"Richard KinonWilliam S. BickleySeptember 29, 1972 (1972-09-29)

Keith dates a princess.

Guest stars: Season Hubley as Princess Jennie, Laurie Main as Frederic La Forge, Cecil Turnbow as Hal Buckley, John Bernard as Valentine, Sheldon Lee as Photographer

Song: "Together We're Better"
534"Each Dawn I Diet"Richard KinonLloyd Turner,
Gordon Mitchell
October 6, 1972 (1972-10-06)

Reuben and Danny become roomies while wagering on a bet to tackle their vices.

Song: "It's All In Your Mind"
545"A Penny for His Thoughts"Bob ClaverDale McRavenOctober 13, 1972 (1972-10-13)

Biker pal Snake returns to the Partridges, desperate. He's in love, but suicidal because his beloved Penny has rejected his marriage proposal.

Guest stars: Stuart Margolin as Snake, Judie Stein as Penny, James Beach as Tinker, Henry Olek as Gorgo, Helen Kleeb and Bryan O'Byrne as Penny's parents, Bill Quinn as the Pastor

Song: "Love Must Be The Answer"
556"You're Only Young Twice"Lee PhilipsSusan SilverOctober 20, 1972 (1972-10-20)

Danny's problems in school become a problem at home, when his quest to become more "mature" alienates him from the family.

Guest star: Charlotte Rae as Dr. Beecher, Bruce Kimmel as Richard Whipple, Maggie Wellman as Molly, Patti Cohoon as Gloria Hickey

Song: "Am I Losing You"
567"The Modfather"E. W. SwackhamerSusan HarrisOctober 27, 1972 (1972-10-27)

Shirley's parents try to enliven their marriage.

Guest stars: Ray Bolger and Rosemary De Camp as Grandpa and Grandma, Bill Zuckert as Dwight, Gordon Jump as Minister, Toni Berrell as Candy, Ondine Vaughn as Daisy Songs: "Something New Got Old"

Note: Grandpa Renfrew's first name has been changed from Fred to Walter
578"A Likely Candidate"Herb WallersteinMartin CohanNovember 3, 1972 (1972-11-03)

Keith campaigns for a politician who likes Shirley.

Guest star: Bert Convy as Richard Lawrence, Ann Carol Pearson as Cathy

Songs: "One Day At A Time", "Ain't Love Easy"
589"Swiss Family Partridge"Lou AntonioDale McravenNovember 10, 1972 (1972-11-10)

A days-long rainstorm strands the Partridges in a remote cabin. Tempers flare as the family compete over who will get the two small beds and the meager supply of food.

Guest Stars: Charles Shull as E.J. Whacker

Song: "It Means I'm In Love With You"
5910"Ain't Loveth Grand?"Herb WallersteinWilliam S. BickleyNovember 17, 1972 (1972-11-17)

Laurie falls for a minister. Her mother fears their relationship is moving too fast.

Guest star: Anthony Geary as Greg Houser, Ta-Tanisha as Mary-Lou Trimper

Song: "Sunshine"

Notes: This episode saw The Partridge Family surpass the number of episodes of a previous sitcom from Screen Gems concerning a made-for-TV rock band: The Monkees.
6011"Whatever Happened to Keith Partridge?"Bruce BilsonSusan HarrisNovember 24, 1972 (1972-11-24)

A talent scout recruits Keith for a movie role.

Guest Stars: Shelley Morrison as Mrs. Kornegge, Robert B. Williams as Otis Butrum, Mark Lambert as Dale, Jim Connell as Gus Gorney, Ray Buktenica as Assistant Director, Pat Peterson as Guard, Cindy Cassell as Kitty, Claire Wilcox as Cindy

Song: "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love"
6112"Nag, Nag, Nag"E. W. SwackhamerSteve PritzkerDecember 8, 1972 (1972-12-08)

Danny wins an insomniac racehorse.

Guest star: Slim Pickens as Will Fowler, Lázaro Pérez as Pete Navarro, Dick Balduzzi as Homer Peck

Song: "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do"
6213"For Sale by Owner"Russ MayberryCharlotte BrownDecember 29, 1972 (1972-12-29)

The Partridges try to sell their house.

Guest stars: Bert Freed and Lurene Tuttle as Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, Gordon Jump as Father, Donna Lynne as Girl, Marilyn Childs as Mrs. Gibson, Bobby Baum as Ed Hoffsteader, Sari Price as Mother, Susan Neher as Gwen, Robin Raymond as The Woman

Song: "As Long As You're There"
6314"Aspirin at 7, Dinner at 8"Bob ClaverSusan HarrisJanuary 5, 1973 (1973-01-05)

Shirley tries to ditch an ardent suitor and his mother.

Guest stars: Gerald Hiken as Dr. Bernie Applebaum, Nancy Walker as Mrs. Applebaum, Donald Phelps as Maitre'D

Song: "One Day At a Time"
6415"For Whom the Bell Tolls . . . and Tolls . . . and Tolls"E. W. SwackhamerDale McravenJanuary 12, 1973 (1973-01-12)

After the Partridge home is burglarized, Reuben has a security alarm installed . . . with disastrous results when the alarm keeps getting set off accidentally.

Guest star: Arte Johnson as Morris Dinkler, Nelson D. Cuevas as Officer Metscur, Mel Gallagher as Sam Barner

Song: "Sunshine Eyes"
6516"Trial of the Partridge One"Jerry LondonSteve Zacharias,
Michael Leeson
January 19, 1973 (1973-01-19)

Laurie is dragged into student court at school when she's caught unwittingly returning a copy of a stolen math test to her teacher.

Guest Stars: Dana Elcar as Mr. Felcher, Noah Keen as Mr. Brown, Eric Laneuville as Judge, Tannis G. Montgomery as Cindy Brown, Jim Wakefield as Brad, Scott Ehrlich as Student, Michelle Cook as Melinda

Song: "It's You"
6617"I Left My Heart in Cincinnati"Bob ClaverDale McRavenJanuary 26, 1973 (1973-01-26)

At a gig at the Kings Island amusement park outside Cincinnati, Keith finds himself falling for a PR agent, an older woman; before long, Danny also falls for her.

Guest stars: Mary Ann Mobley as Audrey Parson, Johnny Bench as Pool Waiter

Songs: "Together We're Better", "Girl You Make My Day"

Note: This episode aired one year before The Brady Bunch made a similar visit
6718"The Eleven-Year Itch"Richard KinonWilliam S. BickleyFebruary 2, 1973 (1973-02-02)

Shirley's old flame comes to town with his daughter Julie. As they begin to re-ignite old sparks, Julie discovers feelings for Danny.

Guest stars: Bert Convy as Richard Lawrence, Jodie Foster as Julie Lawrence, Dennis Lee Smith as Waiter

Song: "Walking In The Rain"
6819"Bedknobs and Drumsticks"Herb WallersteinLloyd Turner,
Gordon Mitchell
February 9, 1973 (1973-02-09)

Reuben signs the family up for a series of commercials in support of a fast-food chicken outfit looking to change its hokey image.

Guest star: William Windom as Uncle Erwin, Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmidt, John Lawrence as Conventioneer, Ondine Vaughn as Gwen

Song: "Friend & A Lover"
6920"Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex . . . but Couldn't Pronounce"Bob ClaverDale McRavenFebruary 16, 1973 (1973-02-16)

Could America's "heartthrob" Keith be failing his sex-education course in school?

Guest star: Ramon Bieri as Mr.Grisbee

Song: "It Means I'm In Love With You"
7021"Forgive Us Our Debts"Bruce BilsonSkip WebsterFebruary 23, 1973 (1973-02-23)

A purchase of a $29 cuckoo clock becomes a $2,900 headache when a computer glitch mistakenly overcharges Shirley's credit account.

Guest stars: Vic Tayback as Harlan Laws, Alan Oppenheimer as Mr. Atwater, John David Carson as Tom Baker, Robert F. Simon as Mr. Gordon, Gary Morgan as Albert, Lou Frizzell as George

Song: "Maybe Someday"
7122"The Partridge Connection"E.W. SwackhamerSteve Zacharias,
Michael Leeson
March 2, 1973 (1973-03-02)

Danny finds himself in trouble when his friend Punky coerces him into shoplifting.

Guest stars: Henry Jones as Mr. Phelps, Gary Dubin as Punky, Joseph Perry as Police Sergeant, Jack Collins as M.C., Angela Clarke as Myra Fromacher

Song: "I Don't Care"
7223"The Selling of the Partridges"Lee PhilipsSteve Zacharias,
Michael Leeson
March 9, 1973 (1973-03-09)

Keith finds himself in a hotly contested battle for student-body president with a shy girl for whom Laurie is campaign manager. He finally comes to realize she is more qualified.

Guest star: Holly Near as Phyllis Goldberg, David Dominguez as Ted, Geri Berger as Girl #1, Lori Farrow as Girl #2, Jason Wingreen as Principal, Bobby Kramer as Myron, Ann Carol Pearson as Band Member Song: "There'll Come A Time"

Note: This storyline had also been used in episode 143 of The Dick Van Dyke Show and in episode 197 of The Andy Griffith Show.
7324"Diary of a Mad Millionaire"Lou AntonioSteve Zacharias,
Michael Leeson
March 16, 1973 (1973-03-16)

The family crosses paths with a rich recluse who is drawn to them but afraid of crowds.

Guest star: John Astin as Sidney Rose, Jim Antonio as Pearson, Sari Price as Woman

Songs: "One Night Stand", "It Sounds Like You're Saying Hello"
7425"Me and My Shadow"Jerry LondonDale McRavenMarch 23, 1973 (1973-03-23)

A mystery writer challenges the Partridges: if all of them can elude his search for 24 hours, he'll donate $25,000 to charity.

Guest Stars: Richard Schaal as Rezo, Martin Speer as Lazaar, Bruce Kimmel as Delbert, Susan Neher as Girl

Song: "Storybook Love"

Season 4 (1973–74)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
751"Hate Thy Neighbor"Richard KinonGeorge Tibbles,
William S. Bickley
September 15, 1973 (1973-09-15)

The Partridges come up against a new neighbor who hates show business and resorts to enforcing noise pollution ordinances against the family.

Guest stars: Nita Talbot as Doris Stevens, Ronne Troup as Donna Stevens, Teddy Wilson as Sam Mulvaney

Songs: "I'll Never Get Over You", "Sooner Or Later"

Note: This episode introduces Ricky Segall to the cast as Ricky Stevens
762"None But the Onely"Charles RondeauBernard Slade,
Dale McRaven
September 22, 1973 (1973-09-22)

Keith discovers his ladies-man reputation precedes him when the new girl in town refuses to go out with him.

Guest star: Kathleen Cody as Dina Firmly, Mike Rupert as Mark and Gary Morgan as Scotty

Songs: "Alone Too Long", "Bicycle Song"
773"Beethoven, Brahms, and Partridge"Charles RondeauBernard SladeSeptember 29, 1973 (1973-09-29)

Keith is challenged by a new girlfriend to stop making "simple" music, so he tries to write a classical music piece to impress her.

Guest stars: Barbara Sigel as Rachel, Harold Gould as Walter Yost

Songs: "I'm into Something Good", "When I Grow Up"
784"The Strike-Out King"E. W. SwackhamerBernard Slade,
William S. Bickley
October 6, 1973 (1973-10-06)

After becoming a pest tagging along after Keith and Laurie, Danny is encouraged by Shirley to make friends his own age by trying out for the baseball team.

Guest stars: Herb Edelman as Darby Willis, Dick Balduzzi as Marv Fillmore, Gordon Jump as Zack Feldman, Jackie Earle Haley as Rusty

Song: "I Wanna Be With You", "Say Hey Willie"
795"Reuben Kincaid Lives"E. W. SwackhamerSteve Zacharias,
Michael Leeson
October 13, 1973 (1973-10-13)

Shirley encourages the kids to be a little nicer to Reuben, but the plan backfires when Reuben mistakes the show of appreciation for bad news from the doctor. Reuben's middle name is revealed to be Clarence.

Guest stars: Margaret Hamilton as Clara Kincaid, Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmidt

Songs: "I Wouldn't Put Nothing Over On You", "Just Lovin' You" (ending credits mistakenly list "I've Got Your Love All Over Me")
806"Double Trouble"Herb WallersteinDick Bensfield,
Perry Grant
October 20, 1973 (1973-10-20)

Keith pulls the classic boner by having two dates for the same night: one of them is the prettiest girl in school, the other a friend of Laurie's.

Guest stars: Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmidt, Bobby Kramer as Wally Benton, Cheryl Ladd as Johanna Houser and Cindy Cassell as Sally Winkler

Songs: "Oh No, Not My Baby", "A Little Bit Of Lovin'"

Note: This marks the third appearance by a Charlie's Angels alumna on the series, following up earlier guest roles by Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith. Cheryl Ladd is shown in the end credits under her maiden name, "Cheryl Stoppelmoor".
817"The Last of Howard"Richard KinonBernard Slade,
Dale McRaven
October 27, 1973 (1973-10-27)

Laurie is the object of a rich admirer on a cruise ship, but all is not exactly how it appears.

Guest star: Bruce Kimmel as Howard Crump

Song: "When Love's Talked About"
828"The Diplomat"Herb WallersteinPaul Lichtman,
Howard Storm
November 3, 1973 (1973-11-03)

A smitten ambassador asks Shirley out on a disastrous first date, but his quest for a second date turns her world upside down after she refuses.

Guest stars: Richard Mulligan as Howard Lipton, Pat Harrington as Roger Harper

Songs: "How Long Is Too Long", "What Kind Of Noise Do You Make"
839"Heartbreak Keith"Charles RondeauBernard Slade,
Bill Manhoff
November 10, 1973 (1973-11-10)

Keith enrolls in a college sociology course, but finds himself infatuated with an older (and very happily married) co-ed.

Guest star: Brooke Bundy as Dory Kimmel

Songs: "I Heard You Singing Your Song", "A Secret In My Heart"
8410"A Day of Honesty"Ross BowmanLloyd Turner,
Gordon Mitchell
November 17, 1973 (1973-11-17)

After Danny gets caught sneaking into a movie theater, Shirley tries teaching him a lesson by enforcing 24 hours of total honesty for the whole family.

Songs: "Roller Coaster", "If I Were A Monkey"
8511"Al in the Family"Charles RondeauBernard Slade,
William Bickley
November 24, 1973 (1973-11-24)

Reuben's nephew, an aspiring comedian, tries to fill in for the absent manager, with nightmarish results for the Partridges.

Guest stars: Alan Bursky as Alan Kincaid, Gino Conforti as Maître D'

Songs: "That's The Way It Is With You", "I'm into Something Good"
8612"Maid in San Pueblo"Charles RondeauBernard Slade,
William J. Keenan
December 8, 1973 (1973-12-08)

After her parents start fighting again, Shirley unwittingly hires her mother as the family's new maid.

Guest stars: Jackie Coogan as Walter Renfrew, Rosemary DeCamp as Amanda Renfrew

Songs: "Workin' On A Groovy Thing", "Grandma (We Love You Just The Way You Are)"

Note: Final appearance of Ricky Segall as Ricky
8713"Art for Mom's Sake"Ross BowmanBernard Slade,
Michael Leeson
January 12, 1974 (1974-01-12)

Shirley takes up painting as a hobby, but while her art is panned by her family, her teacher seems to think she's the second coming of Picasso.

Guest star: Alan Oppenheimer as Lorenzo Bernard

Song: "I'll Never Get Over You"
8814"Two for the Show"Charles RondeauBernard Slade,
William Bickley
January 19, 1974 (1974-01-19)

Reuben's latest discoveries, a twin singing act, split up because of a crush on a girl, Laurie.

Guest stars: Andy and David Williams (nephews of singer Andy Williams), Henry Olek as Skip Radnitz

Songs: "Crying In The Rain", "Say It Again"
8915"Danny Drops Out"Roger DuchownyDick Bensfield,
Perry Grant
January 26, 1974 (1974-01-26)

Danny decides to drop out of school, and focus on songwriting as a career.

Guest stars: James Gregory as Claude Tubbles, Mitzi Hoag as Miss Farrow, Gary Durbin as Punky Lazaar

Song: "Lookin' For A Good Time"
9016"Queen for a Minute"Ernest LossoLloyd Turner,
Gordon Mitchell
February 2, 1974 (1974-02-02)

When Laurie's girlfriend is denied a spot on the boys' basketball team, Laurie decides to run for homecoming queen so that people might listen to what she has to say. When Keith and Danny get wind of it, they convince a male friend to challenge her for homecoming queen.

Guest stars: Tracy Brooks Swope (daughter of producer Mel Swope) as Frankie, Ken Swofford as Coach, Chris Beaumont as Jerry Bishop

Song: "Money, Money"
9117"Danny Converts"Richard KinonDick Bensfield,
Perry Grant
February 9, 1974 (1974-02-09)

To impress a Jewish girl, Danny pretends he's Jewish, but when her father, a rabbi, mistakenly believes him, the lie begins to spiral out of control.

Guest stars: Noam Pitlik as Rabbi Ben Stern, Lark Geib as Renee Stern, Gary Durbin as Punky Lazaar

Song: "I Heard You Singing Your Song"
9218"Miss Partridge, Teacher"Roger DuchownyArt Baer,
Ben Joelson
February 23, 1974 (1974-02-23)

Laurie becomes a student-teacher for Danny's class, but becomes more than anyone bargained for when she overcompensates in class to not look like she's favoring him.

Guest stars: Maxine Stuart as Miss Halstead, Gary Durbin as Punky Lazaar

Song: "I Wouldn't Put Nothin' Over You"
9319"Keith and Lauriebelle"Roger DuchownyDick Bensfield,
Perry Grant
March 2, 1974 (1974-03-02)

Dueling dilemmas come together: Laurie needs to get out of babysitting in order to go skiing, and Keith needs someone to make a girl he's interested in jealous.

Guest stars: Sherry Miles as Karen Bailey, Jack Stauffer as George Parkington

Song: "How Long Is Too Long"
9420"Morning Becomes Electric"Richard KinonLloyd Turner,
Gordon Mitchell
March 9, 1974 (1974-03-09)

In an attempt to become a model family for conserving electricity, Danny suggests printing the names of "energy hogs" in the news, but when the Partridge electric meter is read incorrectly, they risk being called "hogs" themselves.

Guest stars: Jack Collins as Mayor Towbin, Maureen Reagan (daughter of Ronald Reagan) as Photographer

Song: "Sunshine"
9521"Pin It on Danny"Richard KinonArt Baer,
Ben Joelson
March 16, 1974 (1974-03-16)

Danny gives his mother a found brooch for her birthday, but when the rightful owner of the brooch turns out to be his teacher, he must try to find a way to give it back.

Guest stars: Liam Dunn as Salesman, Kathryn Reynolds as Mrs. Bullock, Gary Durbin as Punky Lazaar

Song: "I Wanna Be With You"
9622". . . - - - . . . (S.O.S.)"Bob ClaverDick Bensfield,
Perry Grant
March 23, 1974 (1974-03-23)

When an old flame sails into town from the navy, Shirley is smitten, and everyone approves . . . except for Danny, who suspects the sailor has a girl in every port.

Guest star: George Chakiris as Captain Chuck Corwin

Song: "Roller Coaster"

TV specials

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Thanksgiving Reunion with The Partridge Family and My Three Sons"Perry RosemondBo KaprallNovember 25, 1977 (1977-11-25)

A one-hour celebration featuring the casts of The Partridge Family and My Three Sons discussing their current lives and memorable moments from their past shows.

Songs: "Strengthen My Love", "He Touched Me", "As Time Goes By", "Moments Make the Memories"
2"Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story"David Burton MorrisJon Denny,
Jacqueline Feather,
David Seidler
November 13, 1999 (1999-11-13)

A two-hour biographical TV movie focusing on star David Cassidy and co-star Danny Bonaduce through the four years of the show's production.

Narrated by Danny Bonaduce

References

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  1. ^ "Special Collector's Issue: 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time". TV Guide (June 28-July 4). 1997.