S1 E1 • What? And Get Out of Show Business?

When Shirley Partridge goes into her garage to find out what all the noise is about, she discovers her children: Keith, Danny, Chris, Tracy and Laurie warming up for a song which they have collectively written. In need of a soprano to round out the harmony, the young Partridges' volunteer their mom and, to the whole family's surprise, the song sounds alright. As a matter of fact, it sounds terrific. On his own initiative, Danny Partridge tape records their terrific tune and seeks out a business manager's ear. After trailing a big-time manager (Reuben Kincaid) all day, he finally gets him to listen to the tape. Rueben is reluctant to promise too much, but he promises the Partridges he'll give their song a fair "hearing." Within weeks, the garage-inspired song becomes an instant it and overnight the Partridges are in demand throughout the country. Shirley Partridge is uncertain how to adjust to their sudden success. A recent widow, she could certainly use the money.

Première diffusion : 25 septembre 1970

S1 E2 • The Sound of Money

Shirley Partridge and her family are driving along in their psychedelic bus one day when Shirley accidentally bumps the car in front of her... very lightly. The bump would probably have been ignored by the average motorist but Willie Larkin (Harry Morgan), the driver of the car, leaps out in anger. Obviously unhurt, he nevertheless begins to scold the family. Shirley wants to give Willie $5 to appease him, but when Willie learns from Danny that the Partridges are in show business, he decides to sue them for whiplash. Shirley's insurance company knows that she doesn't have a chance to win the case so they advise her to settle out of court and give Willie $10,000. But the kids convince Shirley that she shouldn't help a man commit a fraud... and they decide to take maters into their own hands. Since Willie has claimed he can't bend over, Reuben Kincaid first tries to trick him into bending while Danny is hidden with a polaroid camera.

Première diffusion : 2 octobre 1970

S1 E3 • Whatever Happened to the Old Songs?

When Shirley's father, who is in his late sixties, pull sup in a hot red sports car (in its late sixties), the Partridge kids are elated with their jet set Granddaddy and even ask him to join their group. When he takes them seriously and has his mandolin electrified and learns all the Partridge songs, much to the shock of Grandma, he's ready to tour with his musical kin. In a 1st ditch effort to discourage the old man's new fling, they convince Reuben to give his unbiased assessment of Grandpa's act. To the shock of all the family, Reuben sees a future in the family act for the elder member. He feels that audiences might like the """"campy"""" crooner and might laugh at his novel act. Grandpa, whose voice is, at best, average, expected the audience to take him seriously and to """"dig"""" him for what he is. Meanwhile, Grandma is vexed over Grandpa's new image. She tells Shirley how he's wearing sideburns, taking sky-diving lessons, talking about running around and chorus girls and – because s

Première diffusion : 9 octobre 1970

S1 E4 • See Here, Private Partridge

The Partridge family are off to record their first album. Just as they are about to leave, Tracy runs up with a letter in her hand – a letter from the U.S. Government. To the total surprise of everyone, ten year old Danny has been drafted! Reuben Kincaid says he will stay behind to clear up the matter and join the family soon. On the bus, the other kids tease Danny about going into the army but he has taken it very seriously. He fantasizes himself in uniform performing heroic deeds. The Partridges are in the recording studio listening to the final tape playback of their album when Reuben enters with the bad news. He was unable to get Danny off the hook. Furious – and armed just with Danny's birth certificate – Shirley makes the trip to L.A. Induction Center alone. Shirley is sent from one officer to another and no one will take the time to help her. Still fuming, she decides she will show them... she will bring Danny there and have him go through induction. Danny says a tearful goodbye

Première diffusion : 16 octobre 1970

S1 E5 • When Mother Gets Married

After four weeks on the road, the Partridge family settle into a hotel and Shirley runs into an old friend, Larry Metcalf. She makes a date with him, much to the surprise and dismay of her kids who can't imagine their mother being attractive or attracted to a man. As Shirley and Larry spend more and more time together, the kids begin to get very worried. Laurie waits up for her one night and tries to give her advice. When Shirley shows up with just minutes to spare before a performance, they decided that this is a very serious matter. Danny calls Reuben Kincaid and tells him to come immediately... that Shirley has fallen for a gigolo. Reuben checks up on Larry's financial status and learns that he owns an engineering company and is rather wealthy. Shirley discovers what they are up to and gives Danny a lecture. One day Laurie and Keith catch Larry in a jewelry shop giving a beautiful ring to a young girl and embracing her. They decide to tell Shirley the hard facts, but Larry walks in

Première diffusion : 23 octobre 1970

S1 E6 • Love at First Slight

Keith Partridge is being hounded by his idolizers and the attention becomes just a bit too much for the handsome crooner. Foremost among his faithful followers is Cathy, a thirteen year old nearby neighbor who becomes Keith's second shadow. The pursued Partridge tries to become incognito. With a large pair of sunglasses and an overly-long overcoat, the disguise is effective but ridiculous. During one of his getaway attempts, he ducks into The Inner Self where he meets Janet, a 16-year old clerk who works there. He takes off his disguise and is relieved to find she treats him as a mortal, not an idol. In fact, she doesn't even know who he is and doesn't care. Keith's pride, or more exactly his ego, is hurt by Janet's lack of interest in him. He decides to dedicate himself to conquering the girl from Inner Self. His conquest is rebuffed at every turn. He finally succeeds in getting Janet to reluctantly accept a dinner date at the Partridge house. Unknowingly Keith's mother has already in

Première diffusion : 30 octobre 1970

S1 E7 • Danny and the Mob

LaVon LaVern is a sexy woman who knows very little about stocks. Danny Partridge knows little about sex, but a lot about stocks. Through Danny's stock tips, LaVon manages to profit substantially on the market. The problem is LaVon's mobster boyfriend, Harry, thinks Danny (whose age he doesn't know) is trying to """"move-in"""" on LaVon. Harry, whose hesitation to wed LaVon has caused her to lose interest in him, still blames Danny for what's happened. He hires two thugs, Rocco and Skee, to """"lean on"""" the ten year old tot and the two men reluctantly do as they're told. They give Danny a verbal warning to stay away """"or else."""" Danny, a realist at heart, scares himself sick thinking of the """"or else"""" possibilities. He stakes out in his own home where his singing siblings can't get Danny to tell them what's wrong. Reuben thinks it's merely Danny's latent insanity coming to the fore. Shirley is absolutely convinced something's wrong when Danny loses interest in the economic situation. Ultima

Première diffusion : 6 novembre 1970

S1 E8 • But the Memory Lingers On

The Partridge family take a day off from their grinding schedule to picnic, rest their vocal chords, and to enjoy the sights and smells of nature. Their plans are polluted when a skunk wanders into their bus. The animal leaves long before his scent does and so the family is faced with the dilemma of getting deodorized before their very exclusive hotel booking the next day. Reuben, instead of thinking up a solution, gets them into more of a """"stink"""" by scheduling them to do a benefit performance that day as a children's hospital. He made the last minute hospital booking hurriedly and without realizing what the Partridges' smelled like. By the time he gets a whiff of what's happened, it's too late to cancel. Leaving Simone, the Partridge dog, in the bus, the family decontaminates one at a time in a nearby motel shower. After much scrubbing and much cologne, there is still a dissenting scent about the perfumed Partridges. Reuben suddenly remembers that tomato juice is a sure-fire skunk o

Première diffusion : 13 novembre 1970

S1 E9 • Did You Hear the One About Danny Partridge?

During a performance by the Partridge Family one night, Danny's foot gets caught in the cord of the microphone and he knocks a few things over trying to free himself. The audience loves it, but Danny is mortified and locks himself in the men's room. Shirley and Reuben Kincaid try every ploy to get Danny to come out, but he is so embarrassed that he refuses. Finally they tell him that he is a natural comedian and that they will write an act especially for him. Danny emerges. Much to the dismay of Shirley and the other kids, Danny takes the comedy bit seriously and goes to see a gag writer named Ziggy Shnurr. Ziggy gives the boy a number of old, bad jokes and after the next evening's performance, Danny tries them out on the audience. They laugh – but they are really laughing at a 10-year old kid telling bad jokes, and the family doesn't know how to break it to Danny. When Shirley can't make Danny understand that he just isn't a comedian, she and Reuben decide to take him to the L.A. offi

Première diffusion : 20 novembre 1970

S1 E10 • Go Directly to Jail

The Partridges agree to do a concert for a real """"captive audience"""" – the convicts at the Federal Penitentiary. Inmate Hank Bourlord's only reason for arranging the concert is to sell the Partridge family several new love songs. When the show is over, Hank tries to see Shirley but can't get past Reuben Kincaid. To prevent them from leaving, Hank, who's a hospital orderly, uses his convict pal, Monty, as his patient and convinces the Warden that Monty's """"illness"""" may be contagious. Then the warden places the entire prison under quarantine – which means Reuben, Shirley and the kids must spend the night in jail. The prison doctor's office will only sleep four, so Keith, Danny and Reuben are assigned to a regular cell amid the convicts. The next morning, after receiving a mysterious, threatening note, Shirley learns that Hank has stolen the music from Max, a scar-faced, mean-looking convict who is the leader of all the inmates. Everyone, especially Keith, wants to record the songs, but

Première diffusion : 27 novembre 1970

S1 E11 • This is My Song

Keith has been having a dry spell – he has not been able to write a new song and the group has a live record date in two weeks. Danny offers to help by knocking out a couple of quick tunes, and everyone laughs at him. To prove he can do it, Danny locks himself in his room and refuses to come out until he has a song. He finally comes up with what he thinks is a new melody, but he is informed that it is the one he heard on TV the night before. The next 'original' song he comes up with just happens to be """"Born Free."""" That night Keith gets a sudden inspiration and begins to work it out on his guitar. The walls are thin between his bedroom and Danny's – and as Danny is falling asleep, he hears the melody from Keith's guitar. In the morning Danny hums the notes while Laurie writes them down... and he is convinced he is a genius. He doesn't believe Keith who tells him that his new song is Keith's. Shirley and Keith realize what has happened and they decide to do an experiment. Keith will co

Première diffusion : 4 décembre 1970

S1 E12 • My Son, the Feminist

Shirley Partridge receives a call from the school principal, George Clauson, asking her if she and her family are identified with women's liberation. There is a poster in school saying that they will sing at a rally for POW, Power of Women. Shirley tries to find out which member of her family committed them to this appearance. She learns that it is Keith – his new girlfriend Tina Newcomb is very involved in the movement and has taken Keith's maybe for a definite yes. Shirley has to confront angry, hostile parents who are called """"Morality Watchdogs."""" She tries to keep calm in the face of their threats, but she finally blows up and says that her family will definitely appear at the rally. Keith invites Tina to dinner so that his family can finally meet her and they are shocked with what she has to say on the subject of women's lib. Keith is annoyed and when he takes her home, he refuses to walk her to the door or even kiss her. He tells her that if she wants equality, she can have it.

Première diffusion : 11 décembre 1970

S1 E13 • Star Quality

Sheila Faber, a famous syndicated columnist, writes an item about the Partridge Family after catching their performance. However her article singles out Danny – praising him for his """"personal magnetism"""" and """"star quality."""" When Danny reads Sheila's column, all the praise goes straight to his head and that night he dreams he leaves the family act and becomes the biggest star in show business. The next night, he calls Reuben Kincaid and Danny's mysterious urgency has Reuben on the next plane. When Reuben arrives, Danny proceeds to tell him about his plans to leave the act and make it a single – stressing that his only reason for this decision is financial security for his family don't know what to make of Danny's strange behavior – or Reuben's unexplained visit. A few days later, Shirley sees children and their mothers heading for the garage. When she goes to investigate, she finds Danny holding Danny holding auditions to find his replacement and Shirley learns of his plans. Shirley,

Première diffusion : 18 décembre 1970

S1 E14 • The Red Woodloe Story

For years it has been rumored that Red Woodloe, one of the country's best known folk composers, is dead. Shirley Partridge recognizes the famous composer when passing by an obscure country church and gets Reuben to try to get Red. The old musician, who has been passing the hat after fiddling on street corners, at first seems overjoyed at the prospect of playing with one of the hottest recording groups in the country. Woodloe has visions of Woodstock as Reuben searches around for possible bookings. To the Partridge Family's dismay, no one wants to book Red because he's been away from things for so long. Determined that the famous folk composer be given a chance to be heard, Shirley gets Reuben to book him into their act. Just as he's about to be introduced, Red Woodloe sneaks out a back door and runs out on an audience and a family, the Partridges, who had virtually made him one of their clan. Returning to the old rustic church where she discovered him, Shirley finds Red by himself stru

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1971

S1 E15 • Mom Drops Out

Logan Mayes, a middle-aged concert promoter who tries to dress and act just a little too """"cool,"""" arranges a European tour for the Partridge Family – but the contract doesn't include Shirley. Logan thinks she won't appeal to a young European audience and doesn't want her in the group. Shirley knows the kids will never accept Logan's contract but she doesn't want them to miss out on a trip to Europe. So, she announces her retirement, telling the kids that she's tired of show business and wants to go back to being the kids that she's tired of show business and wants to go back to being just a mother. The next day, Keith and Laurie go to Logan's hotel room and learn the real reason behind Shirley's sudden resignation. Furious, they try to get their mother back in the group by deliberately messing up a nightclub performance in front of Logan. When that fails, they all decide to quit until Shirley tells them she'll join the group after the tour. When they arrive in Paris for the first conc

Première diffusion : 8 janvier 1971

S1 E16 • Old Scrapmouth

Dr. Kessler, the family dentist, tells Shirley that Laurie will have to wear braces. Laurie isn't in the best of moods when Shirley breaks the news because her boyfriend, Jerry, was supposed to ask her to go steady that day – but lost his nerve. After hearing about the braces, Laurie is sure Jerry will never ask her. The next day, Laurie returns from the dentist with her mouth full of metal. She broods in her room – refusing to speak unless it's absolutely necessary and then only with her hand over her mouth. Meanwhile, Reuben shows up... proudly announcing that he's set up an appearance on the nationwide Wink Burgess TV Show, which will be taped the following day. The thought of being on coast-to-coast television horrifies Laurie, but she agrees to do the show. The next day, Wink Burgess and his entire crew arrive for the taping. When Burgess tells Laurie to smile for the camera, she storms out of the house in tears and hides in the bus. Jerry, who's been hanging around mustering his

Première diffusion : 15 janvier 1971

S1 E17 • Why Did the Music Stop?

Shirley gets the notion that show biz may be robbing the kids of a normal life. Thinking that the hectic grind may be too much of a strain on them, she takes them all for a medical checkup – only to find that they're in perfect health. Still convinced that they're missing something, Shirley tells them that she thinks they should quit show business for six months. All are baffled by the announcement – except Laurie, because she thinks that the reason for Shirley's sudden decision is handsome, eligible Jim Lucas, Shirley's former doctor. When Laurie tells the others, they agree not to stand in the way of Shirley's happiness, and after consenting to the six month rest, Shirley thinks she was right about her fears. Several days later, the kids are bored to death without their music and, feeling they're sacrificing in vain, Danny plays matchmaker by finding Jim and dropping a not-so-subtle hint that Shirley is always at home. Jim drives Danny home, sees Shirley and the kids think they've fi

Première diffusion : 22 janvier 1971

S1 E18 • Soul Club

Booked for a weekend stint in Detroit, the Partridge Family and manager Reuben Kincaid get quite a surprise when they see the club where they are supposed to perform. Called """"The Fire House,"""" the club is just that – an old fire house in the ghetto. Owners Sam and A.E. Simon started the club as an inexpensive place of entertainment for the people living in the black neighborhood... but they're in debt to a loan shark named Heavy, who can't wait to take the club away from them and will use any gangster-tactic in the book to do it. When Shirley learns that The Temptations were supposed to appear at the """"Fire House"""" – and not the family – and after discussing it with the Simons, it's apparent that Heavy deliberately had the bookings mixed up so that Sam and A.E. wouldn't be able to make their last payment. In an effort to help, Shirley and the kids give a free performance, but Heavy and his boys see to it that there is no audience. The next day, A.E. and Sam are without hope. Then Shir

Première diffusion : 29 janvier 1971

S1 E19 • To Play or Not to Play?

When the Partridges arrive at a nightclub called """"The Two Hall Inn"""" Laurie receives a warm greeting from an old friend Marc Baldwin. Marc, who once attended Laurie's high school, is putting himself through college by working at the club. There's barely enough time for introductions when club owner Harry Marino comes out, orders Marc back to the kitchen and the family inside for rehearsals. After Shirley and the kids run through one number, they see Marc come storming out of the kitchen with Marino shouting right behind him. Laurie learns that Marc and the rest of the Marino's employees (all of whom are college students) are going to strike... for better pay and better working conditions – since the kitchen is hazardously outdated. Laurie, deciding it would be morally wrong to cross their picket lines refuses to perform. Shirley realizes Laurie's sense of moral obligation – but there's also the family's legal obligation to consider. So, Shirley trips to talk to Marino on behalf of Lau

Première diffusion : 5 février 1971

S1 E20 • They Shoot Managers, Don't They?

The Partridge Family's concern about manager Reuben Kincaid leads them to believe he needs a wife. After one unsuccessful attempt by Danny, Shirley decides to do some matchmaking of her own. She has a barbecue and invites Reuben and Cathleen D'arcy, a wealthy cosmetic manufacturer. For Cathleen and Reuben, it's love at first sight, and it isn't long before they announce their marriage plans to the family. Bad news accompanies the good when Reuben tells them that he'll no longer be able to manage the group because Cathleen wants him to handle all of her affairs. He does, however, set up one last booking for the family and after going over the details, he bids a sad farewell to Shirley and the kids. When the family arrives in Miami Beach for their show, everything starts to go wrong – their hotel room is too small, the new press agent never shows up and there's a dispute over their contract. Danny, who was the most upset about losing their manager, decides to take over and phones Reuben

Première diffusion : 12 février 1971

S1 E21 • A Partridge Up a Pear Tree

Keith has a new possession... a 1952 Hudson... which is his pride and joy. The car is a lemon, however, and Keith has borrowed money from everyone in the family to make payments and fix it. Danny decides to become his business manager and teach him how to handle money. Keith can't bring himself to tell Carol, his girlfriend, that he is broke. Instead, he takes her to a kiddie show and gives her homemade popcorn. She tries to get Keith to tell her the truth, but when he refuses she runs away hurt. As Keith tries to follow her in the car... it breaks down again. Shirley suggests that Keith get a job to make extra money. He first becomes a trainee to a plumber, but can't quite get the knack of plumbing. Then he tries to learn to become a salesman of a vegetable slicer, but ends up buying the slicer for his mother. His attempt at a newspaper route ends disastrously when he sees a beautiful girl walk by. Keith tells Carol he can't take her to the prom because he is broke and she understands

Première diffusion : 19 février 1971

S1 E22 • Road Song

The Partridge family and Reuben are eating in a seedy restaurant in New Mexico when a young girl, Maggie Newton, comes up to them and asks for a ride to Albuquerque. She tells them she is going to see her father who is an archaeologist. After they leave, a patrolman enters the restaurant and asks the waitress if she has seen a young girl. The picture he shows her is of Maggie. When the bus arrives at a hotel, Maggie says goodbye and goes on. The patrolman comes to the motel and tells Shirley he is looking for Maggie and when Shirley and Reuben find Maggie the next day, they ask her why the police are after her. She doesn't tell them the truth but they learn from a sheriff in Kumquist, New Mexico, that Maggie is a runaway – she lives with her grandparents in Nebraska but runs away every other week to her father in Albuquerque. Shirley tells the sheriff that she will be responsible for getting Maggie together with her grandparents. She calls them and tells the grandfather to meet her at

Première diffusion : 26 février 1971

S1 E23 • Not With My Sister, You Don't

Tall, handsome Lester Braduck transfers to Keith and Laurie's high school and within two weeks he has taken out half the girls. Keith and the other boys are having fits. Meanwhile, Laurie comes home very excited one day and announces that Lester has asked her out. Keith tells Shirley about Lester's Don Juan reputation at school, but Shirley replies that the rumors could be false. Besides, she has enough trust in her daughter... but Shirley talks to Laurie anyway. Laurie assures her that Lester is very shy and the girls are annoying him. Keith goes up to Lester at school and introduces himself. He asks if Lester would like to double with him and a girl when he takes Laurie out. Lester says yes – but when he hears who the girls are that Keith would invite, he refuses since he has already taken them out. Laurie goes on the date and Keith and Danny follow in the bus. When Lester and Laurie are sitting in his parked car talking, Danny panics that something is going on and he goes up to the

Première diffusion : 5 mars 1971

S1 E24 • A Partridge by Any Other Name

Preparing for a Canadian tour the Family must have their birth certificates. The attic produces certificates for all except Danny – his is not to be found. When introduced to the Family, booking agent Marty Burns jokingly refuses to believe Danny is a Partridge, """"not with that hair and those ears,"""" and Danny is convinced he is an adopted child. Shirley tries hard to talk him out of his belief, but Reuben and the others, in trying to kid Danny about his origin, only confirm his opinion he is not a Partridge. At the hospital where all the others were born Danny finds there is no record of his birth. Heartbroken, he refuses to believe Shirley's story that he was born unexpectedly while the family was on a picnic and thus missed the """"regular"""" hospital. On a return visit to the hospital Danny learns the name of the one male child born there on his birthday – a son to Mr. & Mrs. Young. The phone book provides the name of all the M. Youngs in the city and Danny takes off to find his paren

Première diffusion : 12 mars 1971

S1 E25 • A Knight in Shining Armor

The Partridge Family and Reuben return home one night after a long trip and are awakened by loud music. To their surprise, they discover a young man – Bobby Conway – playing his tapes in their garage. Bobby explains that he has waited one week for their return so that he could play his music for them. But he doesn't write lyrics and the Partridges don't perform instrumentals. Danny remembers some poems they received in the mail and suggests they try to find the author, Lionel Poindexter, who lives in Denver. The Partridges and Bobby travel to Denver and find Lionel who is a bit strange. He greets them dressed in a full suit of armor – one of his jobs is distributing leaflets on the street for a product called Sir Lancelot Plums. Lionel tells the group that he is tone deaf but will listen to Bobby's tapes to see if he can come up with lyrics. Bobby discovers that Lionel has all his jobs to enable him to give gifts to the orphanage where he was raised. Bobby meets two of the little girls

Première diffusion : 19 mars 1971