The BEST episodes of The Partridge Family season 3
Every episode of The Partridge Family season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Partridge Family season 3!
In 1970, the Partridge Family was among the top-selling recording acts, not to mention one of the top-rated TV shows of its time. Either way, it made David Cassidy a successful teen idol until the show's cancellation in 1974. The Partridge Family consisted of Shirley Partridge (keyboards, vocals) and her five kids: Keith (lead vocalist and guitar), Laurie (keyboards, vocals), Danny (bass guitar, vocals), Chris (drums), and Tracy (tambourine). Rounding out the cast was their manager, Reuben Kincaid.
#1 - Trial of the Partridge One
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/19/1973
Laurie is falsely accused of stealing a test, but refuses to name the real culprit.
#2 - A Likely Candidate
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/3/1972
Keith is suddenly jolted out of his political apathy when Laurie takes him to a rally where Richard Lawrence, a candidate for Congressman, is speaking. Keith is so enthusiastic about the man that he decides to help Lawrence run his campaign. That night, Lawrence, who is handsome and charming besides being an excellent candidate, visits the Partridges to see if they will perform at a rally he is giving. All the kids notice that there is an immediate attraction between the politician and Shirley and, in fact, Richard invites their mother out to dinner that very night. Within a few days there is obviously a budding romance going on between Shirley and Richard, now known as """"Dick."""" But Keith feels insecure about this, afraid he is going to lose his mother. Shirley dispells her son's jealousy by explaining to him that there are some times when she feels very lonely and wants a man's companionship. Although Richard later loses the election, he flatters Shirley by saying that losing has its
#3 - Each Dawn I Diet
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/6/1972
Because he wants to take Gloria Hickey to a swimming party, Danny suddenly becomes self-conscious about being overweight. At the end of his first week of dieting, not only has he not lost any weight, he has gained four pounds – he could not resist the temptation of a few candy bars and tacos, just as """"energy food."""" Reuben tells Danny that he is too young to have enough will-power to diet in order to shame Danny into continuing his effort. But his plan backfires as Danny challenges him to a contest which involves Reuben's breaking the cigarette habit for as long as Danny diets. While Reuben is feeling withdrawal symptoms, Danny is fantasizing about chocolate cake. Shirley decides that both Danny and Reuben should turn to the other members of the family at any time for added incentive if they feel themselves giving in to temptation. This plan fails miserably because no one is getting any sleep, and Shirley's new tactic is to present Danny with a bowl of chocolates and Reuben with a pac
#4 - M is for the Many Things
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/22/1972
When Shirley is named """"Mother of the Year,"""" she decides to take the whole family, by bus, to the award dinner in Sacramento. Shirley decides to drive the scenic route so that the children can see the countryside. The scenic route proves to be a road to disaster. Besides awful roads and bad diner food, the group loses all their money. While still heading for Sacramento, the bus is stopped by Deputy Haynie for speeding. Shirley refuses to pay the ticket because she believes it was a speed trap. Haynie hauls the family off to see Judge McElwreath, a man who is as crooked as the deputy! The judge keeps adding fine upon fine when he learns that Shirley is the mother of the famous Partridge Family. But the Judge finally backs down and dismisses the case when he learns that Shirley is also the Mother of the Year. His decision is not based on admiration, but the far that no woman in town will vote for him if he fines a woman who has received such an honor. The bedraggled family depart from t
#5 - Aspirin at 7, Dinner at 8
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/5/1973
By coincidence, Shirley meets a doctor whom she once dated, named Bernie Applebaum. Trapped into accepting a date with him for the following evening, they go to a fine French restaurant. But Bernie allows her to eat only plain lambchops, carrots, and buttermilk – the rest is too high in cholesterol. The doctor is evidently very wrapped up in his vocation, for the following night, he takes Shirley to the hospital cafeteria for an after-concert dinner. Shirley finds herself in the embarrassing position of having to tell Bernie that she's really not interested in him without hurting his feelings. Her plans to do this are complicated when the doctor brings his mother to visit the Partridge household. However, the enthusiasm of the two members of the Applebaum family does not diminish even when the kids try to help out their mother by misbehaving. Later, Bernie approaches Shirley with what he feels will be terribly upsetting news – that he can't marry her because he enjoys the swinging bach
#6 - The Eleven-Year Itch
Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/2/1973
When an old friend, a romantic interest of Shirley's, Richard Lawrence, comes to town he brings his 11-year-old daughter, Julie. Julie is a Partridge fan and everyone teases Keith, being sure Julie will be groveling at his feet during the visit. When the Lawrences arrive, it seems that Julie's affections are not lavished on Keith, but on Danny! Julie spends all her time following Danny, while Danny spends all his time trying to hide from her. When Shirley tries to tell Richard that Julie is a bit too aggressive and Danny is not ready for this, Richard reacts like a wounded father. Laurie and Keith ask Danny to be nice to Julie for just a few days, in order not to ruin Shirley and Richard's relationship. Danny reluctantly agrees, and when he tries it, he finds he really does like Julie. When he gives in to a sudden urge to kiss her, Julie reacts by giving him a black eye! This doesn't make any sense at all to Danny so he goes to the """"older folks"""" for an explanation. When Keith and Lau
#7 - Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex... but Couldn't Pronounce
Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/23/1973
American's "heartthrob," Keith Partridge, is falling his sex education course at school. When the family hears about this they find it hard to stifle their laughter, until they realize that if he does fail, he won't graduate.
#8 - Princess and the Partridge
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/29/1972
Keith is having a hard time getting a date for the weekend until Reuben announces that a princess who is visiting the United States wants to spend a few days with him. After a diplomat warns Keith to take good care of the girl since he is acting as a representative of the United States, Keith meets Princess Genevieve, commonly known as Genny. She is beautiful and unaffected by her royalty, but unfortunately the two young people are allowed very little time together because they are constantly surrounded by security guards. The solution which Genny proposes is for Keith to kidnap her. This is achieved with relative ease, and afterwards, they go to a drive-in movie. But Keith is so hung up about Genny's being """"royalty"""" that he can't even put his arm around her. Finally, she advises him to pretend that she's just an ordinary girl. They kiss warmly until a white flash explodes in their faces. It is a photographer – and the next day, the picture of Genny in Keith's arms makes the front pa
#9 - The Modfather
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/27/1972
Grandma and Grandpa come to the Partridge house having rediscovered themselves, or so they think, through an experience with an encounter group. In an effort to share what they lerned with Shirley and the kids, the grandparents provoke them all into expressing their hostility toward each other so that their pent-up feelings will be brought out into the open. When the kids start arguing bitterly, Shirley is forced to tactfully suggest to her parents that they are interfering with her family life, and they leave. A few days later a tearful Grandma comes knocking on the Partridges' front door, explaining that she and Grandpa had been too honest with each other, for he had said that their marriage had no zip to it. Grandpa later arrives and they consider first getting a divorce and then living together as a means of revitalizing the marriage. Instead, they take Shirley's suggestion to pretend that they are divorced, and then go out with other people.
#10 - This Male Chauvinist Piggy Went to Market
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/15/1972
It's role reversal time in the Partridge household as Keith takes home economics and Laurie takes auto shop. Keith's struggles with cooking make him the target of barbs from the school bully, and things really heat up when Laurie gives the tough a Judo flip. Keith is then challenged to a fight, and must face up to the bully even if it means getting his face turned to hamburger.
#11 - I Left My Heart in Cincinnati
Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/26/1973
One season before The Brady Bunch went to Kings Island, The Partridge Family does a gig there. Keith falls in love with the park director. When Keith asked her out on a date, he finds that Danny asked first. So Danny humiliates Keith by taking him on all the fast scary rides on their date! Shirley found out what happened & was mad @ Danny! Keith has a talk with Danny saying that she's 20 years older than him. And when gets ready to ask her out to a movie, she has a date, CHRIS!
#12 - Whatever Happened to Keith Partridge?
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/24/1972
After a show the Partridge Family is approaching by a talent scout who informs them that Keith would be perfect for a part in a new movie and he wants Keith to take a screen test. Reuben and Shirley coach Keith and the family all act out the characters in the script to help him learn his lines. He will play a baby-faced gangster. A week later the whole family goes off to Hollywood for the test. A very nervous Keith manages the part well and is notified a few days later that he got the part. Keith is being treated like a great Hollywood star by everyone in town. The family has planned a surprise party for him the night before he leaves to make the movie. That afternoon Reuben tells Keith that World Pictures has decided against starring an 'unknown', so he has lost the part. When Keith finally brings himself to tell Shirley the news, he is unknowingly walking into the surprise party. When everyone cries for a speech, Keith explains what has happened. The party is a good one despite the b
#13 - For Sale by Owner
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/29/1972
The Partridge house just doesn't seem big enough – they need more bathrooms and just more room in general! Reuben takes Shirley to look at a new, larger house. The Partridge house is home to her, so Shirley doesn't really want to move, but all the kids are very anxious to. They put their house up for sale, with Reuben acting as real estate agent. After a week without even one """"looker,"""" Reuben and Danny cook up a scheme for """"open house"""" with the Partridge Family. The open house is like a carnival – hundreds of people show up. As the family overhears various disparaging remarks about their home from the visitors, they begin to realize just how much the house means to them. Just as the kids tell Shirley that they don't want to move either, Reuben arrives with the news that he's sold the house. When the buyers, Mr. and Mrs. Sharp come to look the house over, the kids sabotage the plumbing, the doors and the windows to make it seem like the house is falling apart. They confess that they
#14 - Swiss Family Partridge
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/10/1972
After a few weeks on the road, the kids are overjoyed to hear that Shirley and Reuben have arranged for the family to spend a weekend in the mountains near Lake Tahoe. But as soon as they enter the cabin, which has no heat or electricity, the skies open and buckets of rain come pouring down. Fated to at least a few hours of being inside, the kids realize that there is no television with which they can plug the electrical musical equipment. Boredom takes over, and when they hear over the transistor radio that the rain will continue for at least another five days, everyone, including Shirley and Reuben, begins to panic. In fact, they feel doomed to die. All the melodramatics prove unnecessary, however, and a forest ranger knocks on the door, in the process of checking the area to see if anyone is in trouble. With his help the Partridges are able to leave, and once again they find themselves in the warmth and security of their own living room.
#15 - You're Only Young Twice
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/20/1972
Shirley makes an appointment with Dr. Beecher, the school psychologist, who informs her that Danny's behavior in class is quite disruptive. In order to find out what is bothering him, Dr. Beecher suggests that Shirley be very permissive with her son, and watch closely how he handles his freedom. At home, Danny quickly takes advantage of Shirley's mysterious change of attitude. He is permitted to stay up late to watch the talk shows on TV, stay home from school, and force Keith's and Laurie's friends to focus their attention on him. Shirley returns to Dr. Beecher in desperation, for the other kids feel very hostile toward Danny. The doctor realizes that Danny badly wants to identify with the """"big kids"""" – Laurie and Keith. To try to cure him of this she suggests giving Danny all the responsibilities that go along with being an adult. It takes going on a double date with Keith to erase all thoughts of being grown-up from Danny's mind. While Keith and his date sit around talking and maki
#16 - For Whom the Bell Tolls . . . and Tolls . . . and Tolls
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/12/1973
The Partridge Family discovers that during the night someone has entered their house and burglarized their TV, radio and stereo. As a gift Reuben has a burglar alarm installed in the Partridge home. It has sensor pads in various places under the carpeting – one step on a sensor and the house is filled with a heart-stopping, loud, clanging bell. While the Partridges are trying to adjust to the alarm and remember to turn it off when they are in the house, the neighbors are getting more furious each time it is set off accidentally. Petitions are being signed asking that the alarm be removed. When Shirley goes to the garage to shut off another """"false alarm"""" she finds Morris Dinkler, an escaped-con who holds the Partridge family and Reuben hostage. He purposely chose their house because of the alarm, knowing that new alarms are frequently set off by accident and after awhile the police don't bother to come. Everyone assumes the bulge in Morris' pocket, which he refers to as """"Big Bertha,""
#17 - Ain't Loveth Grand?
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/17/1972
Laurie meets a former neighbor at the local tennis courts. His name is Greg Houser and he's grown up to be quite a handsome fellow. Laurie eagerly agrees to see him that evening to talk over old times and to catch up on new times. When Greg arrives to take Laurie out, the entire family is surprised to see that Greg is wearing a clerical collar. Laurie feels very uncomfortable with Greg now that she knows his occupation. Greg finally puts her at ease. He does this so successfully that later in the evening Laurie tells Shirley she is in love with Greg. Talk of marriage is in the air. Shirley has told Laurie that she should take time to be sure of her feelings for Greg. Laurie promises to do this, but she is going through all the motions or being in love. Laurie's preoccupation with Greg causes her to leave out a few words in a note she leaves her mother. From the way the note reads, it appears that Laurie has eloped with Greg. Shirley rushes to the church and discovers that Laurie is mer
#18 - Bedknobs and Drumsticks
Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/9/1973
Reuben arranges for the Partridge family to make a TV commercial for Erwin Tully, owner of a large take-out chicken outfit. Up until now """"Uncle Erwin"""" has been making all his own commercials, very corny ones complete with chicken costumes. His sales have dropped and he feels he needs a new image. The family films the commercial -- the setting is a picnic; all the kids are playing and enjoying Uncle Erwin's chicken. Everyone is very pleased with the ad, everyone but Erwin! He feels something is missing – chicken suits! The Partrides are 100% against it but are forced by a contract to make another commercial. They try to make it as bad as possible, hoping Erwin won't like it and use the first one. He loves it. Erwin is going to preview his new commercial at a convention for all his franchise owners. Shirley realizes everyone there will hate the ad. So, when the conventioneers assume the commercial is a joke and ask for the """"real one,"""" Shirley saves the day by having the first ad read
#19 - Forgive Us Our Debts
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/2/1973
All havoc breaks loose when Shirley buys a cockoo clock for $29 at Bartlet's Department store. It seems Bartlet's has recently installed a computer to handle all their accounts. When Shirley receives her computerized bill for the clock, it reads $290 instead of $29. She goes down to the store to straighten things out with Mr. Atwater. Atwater apologizes and instructs the computer operator, Tom, to program the 1984-Z to move the decimal point and correct the bill to read $29. (Tom is quite impressed with Laurie). The decimal point is moved – the wrong way! Shirley's bill is now $2,900. The computer has sent bad-risk notices to other companies, ruining the Partridge's credit rating. It has also had a collection agency pick up the check from the family's last engagement. Shirley again goes go Barlet's; things are quite out of hand. While she's seeing the manager, Laurie leads a picket line outside the store. When they arrive home, the collection agency has repossessed all their furniture.
#20 - The Partridge Connection
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/9/1973
The yo-yos in Mr. Phelps' store look great to Danny and his friend Punky Lazaar, but they've spent their money on ice cream. Punky figures where there's a will there's a way and when Mr. Phelps isn't looking, he puts the yo-yo in his pocket. Danny is shocked, but when Punky calls him chicken, he too steals a yo-yo. Danny has a very guilty conscience and finally can bear no more and confesses to the family. Shirley goes with Danny to see Mr. Phelps and returns the yo-yo. After this, Danny is so relieved and proud of his act that he goes about preaching integrity to anyone and everyone. When Shirley sends Danny for some shampoo, he meets Punky. When Mr. Phellps sees Punky steal a bottle of perfume, he puts part of the blame on Danny who he believes acted as decoy for Punky. He writes their names on a card for his """"records."""" Danny promptly turns himself over to the police and confesses everything he has ever done or thought of doing. Danny feels he is a disgrace to the family, a crimina
#21 - The Selling of the Partridge
Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/16/1973
Laurie is chosen to be campaign manager for Phyllis Goldberg, who is a candidate for the school presidency. Unfortunately, Phyllis, an intelligent but very timid girl, will have to compete for this chose position with Keith, who is without a doubt the more popular of the two.
#22 - Me and My Shadow
Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/30/1973
The Partridge Family attend a lecture by Mike Rezo, a famous mystery writer. After the lecture they meet him and the discussion leads to the fact that everyone but Rezo feels that his stories are more fantasy than true to life. Rezo believes that using human nature and logic anything is possible. In order to prove his point, Rezo offers the Partridges a deal they can't refuse. He will give them a two-hour head start and then begin looking for them; if he can't locate them within 24 hours, he will donate $25,000 to their favorite charity. The next morning the chase begins. No matter where they go, Rezo and his agent, Lazaar Hannibal, seem to turn up. The family pretends to leave their house and drive around for an hour before returning to the house – thinking that's the last place he'd look. When they get out of the car Rezo is waiting. They try getting lost in a crowd, hiding in an apartment of a friend of Reuben's, even the local """"lovers' lane,"""" always to find Rezo waiting. Shirley
#23 - Nag, Nag, Nag
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/8/1972
Danny wins a raffle. First prize is an expensive Italian race car, but Danny isn't that lucky, he wins second prize – F. Scott Fitzgerald, a race horse! Will Fowler has trained the horse since birth and tells the Partridges that he would like to continue working with F. Scott. Shirley is finally convinced to give racing a try. F. Scott will be entered in the race at the San Pueblo County Fair where the Partridge Family will be performing anyway. The horse is working out well and a young Latin jockey is hired to ride him in the race. A few days before the race, Will calls with the bad news that F. Scott has insomnia – he hasn't slept in four days. If this continues, he will never make the race. Danny tries hypnotism, Keith tries singing the horse to sleep – nothing works. It is learned that F. Scott's groom, Homer Peck, usually sleeps in the barn and plays Glenn Miller songs on his tape recorder. About the same time that F. Scott had stopped sleeping, Homer's tape recorder had broken an
#24 - Diary of a Mad Millionaire
Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/23/1973
Reuben books the Partridges in what they all believe to be a mountain resort called Rose Mansion. At the family's first performance, they realize that there is only one person seated in the audience, named Sidney Rose. A multi-millionaire who has become a recluse for the sake of privacy, Sidney must bring all entertainment to his own estate. On the rare occasions that he does go out, he does so in disguise. The lonely man develops an affection for the Partridge family and tries to persuade them to stay at Rose Mansion for a few weeks, but they are unable to do this and so invite him to come to their house. Sidney says he is afraid of crowds that would attack him if he did this, thus politely refusing the invitation. A few days later, a policeman comes to the door, who turns out to be Sidney, planning to spend a few days with the family. Unfortunately, a news reporter comes in for an interview, and although Sidney is now disguised as a TV repairman, the reporter recognizes the millionai
#25 - A Penny for His Thoughts
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/1972
In the middle of the night a Hells' Angel-type named Snake zooms up on his motorcycle and rings the Partridges' doorbell. Irritated at being awakened, Shirley and the rest of the family feel obligated to listen to his friend of Laurie's tale of woe. He wants to commit suicide because after breaking all convention by proposing to his girlfriend Penny, she has the audacity to hang up on him. When Shirley realizes that Snake's proposal took place over the phone, she patiently explains to him that a marriage proposal, being the most important event in a girl's life, should not take place over a telephone. She suggests that he dress in a tie and jacket and go to propose in person. But Penny again refuses, for she feels that Snake is making fun of her by having donned such fancy clothes. Laurie goes to visit Penny and tells her that Snake will kill himself if she does not accept his proposal. Finally convinced that Snake truly loves her, Penny rushes to the Partridge house, where he has temp