Guide Note

The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widow who forms a successful pop band with her children. The program contrasted suburban life with the adventures of a touring show business family.

Fast Facts

1. Network: ABC
2. First Aired: September 25, 1970
3. Final Episode: March 23, 1974
4. Starring: Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, David Cassidy, Dave Madden, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crow; Brian Forster, Jeremy Gelbwaks
5. Jones and Cassidy were the only actors who actually sang
6. Tagline: "C'mon get happy!"
7. Loosely based on real musical family The Cowsills

• David Cassidy as Keith Partridge
• Shirley Jones as Shirley Partridge
• Danny Bonaduce as Danny Partridge
• Susan Dey as Laurie Partridge
• Suzanne Crough as Tracy Partridge
• Jeremy Gelbwaks and Brian Forster as Chris Partridge
• Dave Madden as Reuben Kincaid

"The show's candy-colored production design is eye-catching and vivid, but never seems cartoonish. Instead, the band's pseudo-Edwardian costumes and "Careful: Nervous Mother Driving"-inscribed bus come across as the work of a creative and hip - but not too hip - mom. And while the Partridges' songs are not as creative and varied as those of the Monkees, their pure, sugary pop sound is still hard to beat."—A.J. Carson¹

Danny Partridge: "You can't blame me. I'm just a kid."

Reuben Kincaid: "No, you're not. You're a midget in a kid suit."²

Keith Partridge: "Has anybody got any ideas about what they're going to do for Mom's birthday?"

Laurie Partridge: "I thought about offering to do all the cooking for a month. How about you?"

Keith Partridge: "I'll buy the family a stomach pump."²