The Partridge Family

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Welcome to TV in the Basement,
the podcast that takes you on a journey

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down memory lane to revisit the shows
we used to watch and love. I'm

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your host Journey Joe Mitchell, and
we're dusting off the VHS tapes and flipping

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the channels back to the classic series
that had us glued to our screens.

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Today, I'm back in the basement
watching The Partridge Family. The Partridge Family

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was a television sitcom that aired from
nineteen seventy to nineteen seventy four. Created

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by Bernard Slade. Inspired by the
real life musical family, the cow Sills,

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the show followed the lives of widowed
mother Shirley Partridge and her five children

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as they embarked on a musical career. The idea of combining family life and

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music resonated with audiences, and The
Partridge Family quickly became a hit. The

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show's premise revolved around the Partridges forming
a band, with Shirley as the lead

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vocalist and the children providing the harmonies
and instruments accompaniment. The family's musical journey

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began when their son Danny secretly entered
them into a talent contest, leading to

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a recording contract and a whirlwind of
adventures. The Partridge Family boasted a talented

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ensemble cast that brought each character to
life with charm and charisma. Shirley Jones

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portrayed the role of Shirley Partridge,
the caring and strong willed matriarch of the

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family. David Cassidy, in a
breakout role, played Keith Partridge, the

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eldest son and heart throb of the
group. Cassidy, a teen heart throb

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during that era, provided the lead
vocals for many of the songs. Hits

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like I Think I Love You,
I Woke Up in Love this Morning,

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and Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted
became chart toppers and iconic tunes of the

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nineteen seventies. David Cassidy's pop idol
status was solidified through his role in the

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show and his performances with the family
band. Susan Day portrayed Lori Partridge,

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the talented and beautiful eldest daughter.
The Partridge Family was not just about music.

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It was about family, love and
the challenges of growing up. The

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interactions between the Partridge siblings, their
mother Shirley, and their manager, Reuben

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Kincaid provided a window into the joys
and tribulations of a modern American family.

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Keith Partridge, the eldest son,
often found himself in the role of the

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responsible older brother and de facto leader
of the band. Laurie, the eldest

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daughter, was a strong willed,
compassionate, and talented songwriter. Danny Partridge,

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the middle child, was known for
his cheeky and mischievous nature, and

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his rivalry with Reuben Kincaid, provided
comic relief. Chris Partridge, the quiet

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and tech savvy member of the family, used his knowledge to help the band

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in various ways. Tracy Partridge,
the youngest member, was the darling of

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the family, known for her curiosity
and youthful innocence. The portrayal of a

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single mother raising her children while pursuing
her dream of a music career resonated with

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viewers. Shirley's strength, love,
and commitment to her children created a heartwarm

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ming family dynamic that was a central
theme of the show. Each family member

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contributes to the band with their unique
skills and quirks, creating a harmonious blend

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of music and laughter. The series
explores their musical journey as they travel across

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the country, and their iconic multi
colored school bus converted into a psychedelic touring

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vehicle. This concept alone was emblematic
of the nineteen seventies and the counterculture movement.

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The show's success extended beyond television,
as the Partridge Family became a marketing

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phenomenon. Lunchboxes, albums, and
merchandise adorned with the Partridges's smiling faces flew

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off the shelves, cementing their status
as pop culture icons. Their influence on

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future generations of musical television shows such
as Glee and Hannah Montana is evident.

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Now, let's dive into some of
the best episodes that captivated audiences and left

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a lasting impact on fans of The
Partridge Family. These episodes showcased the show's

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humor, heart, and musical prowess, defying its place in television history.

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In the pilot episode, we are
introduced to the Partridge family as they navigate

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the challenges of starting a musical career. Shirley, initially resistant to the idea,

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eventually embraces the opportunity and leads her
talented children on a journey of self

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discovery and fame. This episode sets
the stage for the family's musical adventures and

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establishes the dynamic between the characters.
In a Night in Shining Armor, the

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Partridges find themselves in a medieval themed
amusement park where Keith becomes enamored with a

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young woman who believes he is a
knight. This episode combines humor, romance,

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and adventure as Keith goes to great
lengths to maintain the illusion and win

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her heart. The episode showcases David
Cassidy's charisma and the show's ability to seamlessly

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blend comedy and romance. The Partridge
Papers has the Partridges find themselves in the

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midst of a scandal when a tabloid
publishes a false story about Shirley's love life.

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The family must navigate the repercussions of
the article while staying true to themselves.

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The Cat and I always enjoy the
oddball TV shows that we come across,

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such as The Partridge Family spin off, The Partridge Family twenty two hundred

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a D. A musical time traveling
adventure. Fast forward to nineteen seventy four,

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in the creative minds behind The Partridge
Family were ready to take a bold

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leap into the future. The Partridge
Family twenty two hundred a d was created

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as an animated series that would reimagine
the Partridge Family's adventures in the twenty second

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century. The show was produced by
Hanna Barbera Productions, known for their work

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on numerous iconic animated series. Shirley
Partridge, the family's matriarch, was once

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again portrayed by Shirley Jones, who
lent her voice to the animated character.

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Her son, Keith Partridge, was
voiced by David Cassidy, adding authenticity to

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the character. While the time traveling
premise might have seemed like a radical departure

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from the original series, music remained
a central theme in The Partridge Family twenty

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two hundred a d. The family
continued to perform their iconic songs, showcasing

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their musical talents in various settings.
These performances often served as the highlight of

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each episode, Combining nostalgic tunes from
the nineteen seventies with futuristic and space age

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backdrops. The show featured a diverse
range of musical genres, from rock and

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pop to disco and even space themed
songs, providing a unique listening experience for

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viewers of all ages. While The
Partridge Family twenty two hundred AD had a

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dedicated fan base and received positive reviews
for its creative concept and musical elements.

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It ultimately had a relatively short run. The series aired for only one season

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from nineteen seventy four to nineteen seventy
five, totaling sixteen episodes. From their

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humble beginnings to their wild adventures on
the road, the Partridge Family captured the

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essence of family, love and the
pursuit of dreams. As we celebrate the

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history of the Partridge Family and relive
the best episodes that made it a timeless

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classic, we are reminded of the
show's cultural impact and the joy it brought

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to millions of viewers. So put
on your favorite Partridge Family album, sit

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back, and immerse yourself in the
world of the Partridges. Once again.

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It's time to take a trip down
memory Lane and relive the magic of the

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Partridge Family. Until next time,
I'm journey Joe Mitchell and I will be

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watching TV in the basement.