Episode: “The Strike-Out King” (1973)
REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
Driving from gig to gig in their groovy-colored bus, “The Partridge Family” was a pop music group consisting of a Mom and her five kids – they weren’t a real family or band, but they played one on TV.
The five main cast members included widowed Mom, Shirley, as played by Shirley Jones. … With oldest son, Keith, portrayed by David Cassidy; Oldest daughter, Laurie (Susan Dey); middle son Danny (Danny Bonaduce); and manager Reuben Kincaid (Dave Madden). The two youngest family members – a daughter and son – were named Tracy and Chris.
David Cassidy was the only actual singer and musician, but nine albums were released under The Partridge Family group name. (Shirley Jones does some back up vocals, but the rest of the group was lip-synching other vocalists and none played instruments.) Having said this, the group was credited with the smash hit “I Think I Love You” in 1970. It reached Number One and sold five million copies. (Cassidy sings lead.)
The Partridge Family was on for four seasons from 1970-74 and 96 episodes were filmed. The show was fairly popular, but ratings nosedived when ABC sent it to TV Siberia by moving it from Friday to Saturday night. It was crushed by CBS’ powerful lineup that night which included “All in the Family,” “M*A*S*H,” “Mary Tyler Moore” and “Bob Newhart.”
► EPISODE SYNOPSIS ► Keith and Laurie are annoyed with younger brother Danny because he hangs around them so much. They complain to their Mom and she agrees he needs to do an activity that involves others of his own age. Reuben chimes in that sports might be the answer. To which Keith sarcastically agrees: “What if Danny were to go out for the school archery team … as a target?”
Shirley and Reuben approach Danny with the idea of joining the local little league team. His answer: “I hate baseball.” However, when Danny’s older siblings threaten to blackmail him about a broken vase, he changes his tune. He meets the coach of the “Dodgers” (played by character actor Herb Edelman) and is chosen to try out for pitcher. Danny turns out to be a natural and wins his first game. Now, he’s rarin’ to go. But soon his excitement wanes.
(at left and above)
It turns out, the coach is pressuring the boys too much to win. After Shirley has a conversation with him, he agrees to tone it down. With less pressure, Danny and the Dodgers win the championship. Later, The Partridge Family performs at the awards banquet.
Two actors who went on to bigger stardom make minor appearances in “The Strike-Out King.” First, Jackie Earle Haley plays one of Danny’s teammates. He eventually played another baseball role and starred in “The Bad News Bears” movies. … Gordon Jump also had a small part in this episode (overall, he appeared seven times in the series). Five years later, he joined the cast of “WKRP In Cincinnati.”
Between 1973-76, a young Jackie Earle Haley
transformed from a clean-cut “Dodger” to a “Bad News Bear”
Actor Gordon Jump as spectator/parent at Danny’s ballgame (left);
and (right) as radio station General Manager Arthur Carlson on “WKRP in Cincinnati”
Episode: “Star Quality” (1971)
► EPISODE SYNOPSIS ► After seeing The Partridge Family’s stage show, a prominent columnist is impressed and writes that Danny, especially, is destined for future stardom. This goes straight to his head and he decides that leaving the group for a solo career is the best way to make money for the family in the long run.
1971 Topps “The Partridge Family” pack and card
As part of a dream sequence, the now successful Danny decides to buy the Los Angeles baseball franchise for his younger brother, Chris, who is a huge Dodgers fan. Chris is shown in a Dodgers uniform in front of several players speaking into a microphone. The scene involving the Dodgers is about half a minute. But it was enough for Topps to include it in the third series of its Partridge Family non-sport card set in 1971. (It’s the only baseball-related scene in this episode.)
The rest of the show involves the family trying to convince Danny not to leave their group, with his older sister, Laurie, describing his solo act as “terrible.” Keith adds “It’ll be a disaster.” … Eventually, he decides to ditch his own act and remain with the family.
Episode: “I Left My Heart in Cincinnati” (1973)
Cincinnati Reds’ All-Star catcher Johnny Bench didn’t quite get his 15 minutes of television fame on this episode … more like 30 seconds.
► EPISODE SYNOPSIS ► The show opens with The Partridge Family giving a performance at Kings Island amusement park outside Cincinnati. After the show, a public relations woman from the park visits the family and offers to assist them during their stay. Even though she is about 15 years older than Keith, he’s immediately smitten. He makes a fool out of himself trying to impress her and after several attempts finally realizes he’s being silly. Then Danny becomes infatuated, not caring about their 20-year age gap. …
During an early scene at poolside – when Keith is just starting his campaign for the woman’s love – a neatly-dressed waiter approaches their table and asks “Would you care for a drink?” That “immortal” line of dialogue is uttered by none other than Johnny Bench. He takes their orders and disappears, not be seen again. …
NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.
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