The WORST episodes of The Partridge Family
Every episode of The Partridge Family ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of The Partridge Family!
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 - Double Trouble
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/20/1973
Keith does not have a date for a party after the popular girl at school declines his date request, citing another date, so Laurie sets him up with one of her friends. The next day when the popular girl's plans fall through she belatedly accepts the date with Keith. Now he has two dates for the same party.
#2 - A Penny for His Thoughts
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/1972
Snake, a motorcyclist friend of the Partridges, visits and wants help with the woman he loves. Snake proposed marriage, but he was turned down. Shirley and the family play cupid for Snake.
#3 - Art for Mom's Sake
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/12/1974
Shirley goes to an art school for classes. Her teacher raves about her work, but the family knows it is not good. It seems the teacher has a motive to praise the bad art work.
#4 - Diary of a Mad Millionaire
Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/23/1973
A reclusive millionaire who's a fan of the Partridges pays them to perform for him at his home. And he follows them around buying out every show. Eventually they invite him to stay with them where he tries to keep a low profile.
#5 - Danny Converts
Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/9/1974
Danny has a new girlfriend at school. Renee is Jewish, so Danny pretends to be Jewish. Danny meets her father, who says he would like to meet Danny's family. Danny tries to hide his "little white lie" from his family.
#6 - Nag, Nag, Nag
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/8/1972
Danny wins a horse and he wants to keep him at home. Shirley explains how impractical it is and Danny keeps arguing why it is a winning proposition. The horse has a problem - it does not sleep.
#7 - Me and My Shadow
Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/30/1973
The Partridges attend a lecture given by a mystery writer. The Partridges & author get into a discussion as to whether his stories are realistic. He makes them an offer - they can hide, and he will find them all within 24 hours.
#8 - Two for the Show
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/19/1974
Reuben manages a new twin singing act, but the boys have a crush on Laurie. They won't perform until they get a date from her.
#9 - Danny Drops Out
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/26/1974
Danny seems to be getting into a lot of trouble at school, and now decided to drop out. Shirley and his teacher discuss how to prevent this. They decide to let him think he has dropped out, and find out what the real world is like.
#10 - . . . --- . . . (S.O.S.)
Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/23/1974
Shirley is surprised to learn that an old boyfriend is in town to make a speech. It turns out he is now a navy Captain and Keith and Danny are suspicious of his motives for their mother.
#11 - Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/17/1971
After performing in Vegas on Christmas Eve, the Partridges start the drive home. The bus breaks down in a town with one inhabitant. Disappointed about being away from home for Christmas, the prospector tells them a Christmas story.
#12 - The Undergraduate
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/8/1971
Shirley enrolls in college using her maiden name so her real name does not draw unwanted attention. A younger classmate develops a crush on her. He tells his parents and they do not approve of his dating an older woman.
#13 - Road Song
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/26/1971
The Partridges and Ruben meet a girl at a diner who wants to hitch a ride when they drive off to Albuquerque. They take her along on the bus, and then the police catch up with them because the girl is a habitual run-away.
#14 - Go Directly to Jail
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/27/1970
When the Partridges are invited by to play a show at a prison, one of the inmates fakes an epidemic just to try to sell them some songs he claims to have written. However, a complication arises when an inmate who claims to be the true author confronts Shirley. She then comes up with a novel concept to try to prove who the real author is.
#15 - Tale of Two Hamsters
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/1971
Danny and the two other younger children tell Shirley they have decided to go in the hamster business. When the two hamsters multiple with their offspring, the Partridges have to take them on tour so they can feed and take care of them.
#16 - Fellini, Bergman, and Partridge
Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/14/1972
After seeing some experimental films at a theater, Keith says he can do better than any they saw. Keith pulls out the movie camera and begins filming various random clips. Danny becomes his partner. The premier is not what he expects.
#17 - All's War In Love and Fairs
Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/10/1972
As the Partridges start their vacation, the bus breaks down in a small town. The locals want them to do a benefit show to help Native Americans build a school. The mechanic finds ways to delay fixing the bus until the day of the show.
#18 - Forgive Us Our Debts
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/2/1973
Shirley buys a $29 cuckoo clock from the local department store and charges it. When the bill arrives she's being charged $290. She goes to the department store and learns that their new automated system misprinted it. So the man in charge rectifies it. When her new bill arrives it says she owes $2900. She then closes her account at the store. Later someone from the collection agency says she owes the department store $29000. Also everyone whom she's been doing business like the grocery store where she cashes checks and her plumber have been getting word that her credit is not good. She suspects the department stores computer has been spreading bad news about her. So she goes to the department store demanding they rectify it. The owner says they will take care of it. When she comes she finds that her furniture has been seized by the collection agency and they have also seized their fee from their last concert.
#19 - The Partridge Connection
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/9/1973
The Partridges are to be presented an award for the Citizenship Award. Meanwhile, one of Danny's friends goads him on to shoplift something from a store. Danny steals, but then he is guilt-ridden.
#20 - Maid in San Pueblo
Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/8/1973
Shirley's mother (Amanda) and father (Walter) argue over Amanda wanting a job outside the house. She leaves home and goes to Shirley's home. Amanda gets a job with a service company, and Shirley hires a maid. Guess who is the maid?
#21 - Queen for a Minute
Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/2/1974
Laurie's friend Frankie tries out for the school basketball team but is rejected because she is a girl. Laurie runs for homecoming queen so she can speak her mind on discrimination. Keith has a male friend compete against Laurie for queen.
#22 - Miss Partridge, Teacher
Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/23/1974
Laurie excitedly tells her mother she has been selected to be a peer teacher at school. She is assigned seventh grade English, which just happens to be Danny's classroom. Things do not go well for either of them.
#23 - Pin it on Danny
Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/16/1974
It's Shirley's birthday and the family and Ruben gather to celebrate. Danny's gift is a beautiful broach. He does not tell Shirley he found it rather than buying it. Later, Danny finds out it is the broach his teacher lost.
#24 - The Selling of the Partridge
Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/16/1973
Laurie comes home from school excited because her friend Phyllis asked her to be a campaign manager for student body president. The excitement changes to a constant battle when Keith announces he is running for president - against Phyllis.
#25 - In 25 Words or Less
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/24/1971
To raise money and create publicity, Reuben hosts a contest where the winner can spend a week with the Partridges at their home. The winner? Mrs. Gloria Neugast, a middle-aged woman. Gloria brings a new dimension to the family.