COME ON GET HAPPY: THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY STORY (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television production dramatizes the behind-the-scenes happenings of "The Partridge Family" television show, as seen from the point of view of cast member Danny Bonaduce. The program begins as adult Danny explains life in the early 1970s. Then, young Danny prepares for an audition for a TV show. David Cassidy, getting ready to audition, tells stepmother Shirley Jones, who's also auditioning, that he can't believe the corny dialogue he has to recite. Meanwhile, producers Harold, Alex, and Sam make some creative decisions about the show. At his audition, Danny is a wisenheimer, belittling the idea of the show. Nevertheless, the producers love his sass and decide to call him back. However, Danny's father Joseph is unhappy, due to his struggles to make a living as a Hollywood writer. His wife Betty tries to console him, to no avail. The next day, Danny screen tests with the other Partridge contenders, meeting Shirley -- the only actor to be definitively cast.
Finally, two sets of actors try out for each of the other principal roles. David flirts with Susan Dey, one of the candidates hoping to play older sister Laurie on the show. The two also meet Dave Madden, who is auditioning to play Reuben Kincaid, the Partridge's manager. Danny wows at the screen test, landing the part. After hearing the news at home, Joseph states that acting is a joke of a profession, and wants Betty to know that he is still the master of the house. The next day, the new cast -- which includes David, Susan and Dave -- goes in for a costume fitting. David is shocked by the gaudy outfit he will have to wear. Later, David is also stunned to learn that he doesn't actually write the songs for the "band," nor does he sing. Shirley helps convince Harold that David should be allowed to sing, write, and play the guitar on the show. Then, the Partridge Family goes to the studio to sing "I Think I Love You," with David upset that a harpsichord is being used in the recording. The producers think David's voice is too deep to be that of a sixteen-year-old boy, altering it against David's wishes. Danny, meanwhile, is miffed that he has to lip-sync to someone else's voice. The producers have numerous questions about the production of the music, with the two youngest cast members unable to mimic the playing of instruments.
Later, Danny spies on Susan while she disrobes and is chastised by Dave. Immediately, the trades are blasting the "bubble gum" show in reviews before the program has aired its first episode. At the same time, "I Think I Love You" has shot up the pop charts. The next night, "The Partridge Family" airs and Danny is a hit, with more lines than any other cast member. Danny thinks it is weird to be on television, while Joseph still can't be happy about his son's success. Back on set, Danny continues his show-stealing ways, while young co-star Jeremy Gelbwaks begins acting like a dog, even biting David. David pays Danny twenty bucks to rough Jeremy up. Later, David's hippie friends mock his new teen idol image, and the merchandise inspired by his TV persona. David is frustrated with all the interviews he has to do, answering fluff questions. The Partridge Family later records "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted," with David thinking that the lyrics are ridiculous. He states that he has become increasingly unhappy with the music and is more interested in a rock 'n' roll career. When Harold threatens his job, David takes Danny and sprints off the set with him. They grab the Partridge Family bus and flee the studio. David tells Danny that he wants to express himself in a more artistic way, as he is sick of being a teen idol. Meanwhile, when Harold hears that Jeremy's family is moving to Virginia, he jumps at the chance to replace the boy. In addition, Harold is furious that he can't locate David, Danny, and the bus, which, after stalling, has been mobbed by young girls.
By the end of the show's first season, the nation has been swept by "Partridge-mania," and Danny has become the second most famous bass player in the world, next to Paul McCartney. David gets busy giving concerts, delaying his appearance for the taping of the first show of the second season. That doesn't go over well with Danny, though. Shirley then speaks to her "family," saying she will not tolerate "star trips" on her show. As Danny's fame grows, girls begin bombarding his parents' house, further angering Joseph. One night, Joseph forces his family to have dinner together for a change, but Danny has to go back to set, causing his father to explode. Joseph accuses Danny of being "a malcontent" and slaps him for his subsequent insolence. Arriving on set with a black eye, Dave and the others notice and wonder what they should do. Shirley gathers her fellow castmates, thinking they are a true "family" and that David should take him for the weekend. Since David is going to be out of town on his concert tour, the others have to draw straws for who gets Danny. Meanwhile, Susan continues having her heart broken by the fact that David practically ignores her. Dave ends up taking Danny for the weekend, getting the okay from Betty. Together, Dave and Danny go to the beach, with Dave teaching the boy how to drive during the trip and nearly having a crash. After identifying himself and Danny as the show's "funny-looking mutants," Dave teaches Danny about the transitory nature of fame.
Back to set on Monday, Danny is accosted by a groupie that wants help getting access to David. She even breaks into Danny's trailer and tries to seduce him. Meanwhile, Shirley speaks with David, revealing that Susan has a crush on him and needs to be treated in a sensitive manner. Later, after Harold tries to dupe an underage David into signing a contract, David's agent Beth works to negotiate a better deal. When she can't, David claims he will shut down the production. Sam and Harold thus decide to renegotiate him a better deal, including net "points." Meanwhile, Danny has grown estranged from his old friends. One day, Joseph finds Danny's audio diary, on which he discusses his misbehavior and his hatred for his father. After Joseph hits Danny yet again, Betty has had enough and decides she wants a divorce. At the same time, David performs "I Woke Up in Love This Morning" in concert in front of thousands of adoring female fans. Later, Harold and Sam are furious to see a spicy cover story about David in "Rolling Stone," in which he talks about having sex and smoking marijuana. David reveals that he is sick of being Keith Partridge, at which point Harold brings up the morals clause in David's contract. David walks off, daring them to replace him. Sam is more concerned that the show's ratings are dipping. As they hole up in a cheap motel, Danny and Betty discuss Joseph getting a job writing on "All in the Family," and the possibility of their moving away from Los Angeles.
One day on set, David speaks with Susan about relationships, but she becomes upset when he calls her his "best friend." Later, the Partridges visit the set of "The Brady Bunch" for a photo op showdown with the opposing cast, resulting in some of the actors exchanging catty remarks. The "Brady" girls, however, are smitten with David. Later, at one of David's concerts, he sings "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat," after which a fourteen-year-old girl with a heart condition dies. David calls Susan to tell her that he "can't do this anymore." As candidates for David's successor are auditioned, Sam declares that David is one of a kind and can't be replaced. As a result, he thinks it is time to pull the plug on the flailing show. Thus, after four seasons, the show is canceled. At the farewell party, Danny is nowhere to be seen. Joseph finds his son in the parking lot, mourning while drinking a beer. Joseph, now a successful writer for "All in the Family," gloats at how the tables have turned. He tries to reunite with Danny but the boy seems disinterested. Meanwhile, David goes to Susan to discuss their future. He asks her out on a date, which she gladly accepts. Later, Danny interrupts as the two make out in a trailer. Finally, after all the goodbyes have been said between cast and crew, the Partridge Family performs one final time together, singing "Come On Get Happy." Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 13, 1999 Saturday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:55:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:58836
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Biography; Hollywood; Actors and actresses; Music
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1999
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Got Milk?" for California Fluid Milk Processor Board
- TV - Commercials - "Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving" home video
- TV - Commercials - AT&T directory assistance
- TV - Commercials - Angel Soft toilet tissue
- TV - Commercials - Buick automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Butterball turkeys
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's soups
- TV - Commercials - Carnival cruise lines
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Children First organization
- TV - Commercials - Chili's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Clean & Clear facial wipes
- TV - Commercials - DeBeers diamonds
- TV - Commercials - Discover credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Dsports.com online sports store
- TV - Commercials - Fisher-Price toys
- TV - Commercials - K-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Kay Jewelers
- TV - Commercials - LensCrafters eyewear
- TV - Commercials - Liquid-Plumr drain cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Maytag appliances
- TV - Commercials - National Football League for United Way charities
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena lipstick
- TV - Commercials - Olive Garden restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Palmolive dish cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Pampers diapers
- TV - Commercials - Pledge sweeper, cloths
- TV - Commercials - Prempro menopausal medication
- TV - Commercials - Qualcomm communications
- TV - Commercials - Sprite soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - T.G.I. Friday's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Target stores
- TV - Commercials - Tic Tac breath mints
- TV - Commercials - Toys "R" Us stores
- TV - Commercials - V-Chip television parental control
- TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Yahoo! internet site
- TV - Commerciasl - 10-10-321 calling plans
- TV - Promos - "ABC News: America's Sons"
- TV - Promos - "Dharma & Greg"
- TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
- TV - Promos - "Once and Again"
- TV - Promos - "One Fine Day"
- TV - Promos - "Space Jam"
- TV - Promos - "Spin City"
- TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
CREDITS
- Randy Robinson … Executive Producer
- Jon S. Denny … Executive Producer, Writer
- Timothy Marx … Producer
- Larry Levin … Associate Producer
- Danny Bonaduce … Consulting Producer
- David Burton Morris … Director
- Jacqueline Feather … Writer
- David Seidler … Writer
- Steve Tyrell … Music by
- Guy Moon … Music by
- Miranda Garrison … Choreographer
- Rodney Scott … Cast, David Cassidy
- Eve Gordon … Cast, Shirley Jones
- Roxanne Hart … Cast, Betty Bonaduce
- William Russ … Cast, Joseph Bonaduce
- Willie Garson … Cast, Sam
- Richard Fancy … Cast, Harold
- Mark Harelik … Cast, Alex
- Michael Chieffo … Cast, Dave Madden
- Kathy Wagner … Cast, Susan Dey
- Debby Boone … Cast, Beth
- Shawn Pyfrom … Cast, Danny Bonaduce
- Taryn Manning … Cast, Groupie
- Elizabeth Dennehy … Cast, Jeremy's Mom
- Kevin Sheridan … Cast, Anthony Bonaduce
- de Sosa, Ruth … Cast, Press Agent
- Tara Blanchard … Cast, Suzanne Crough
- De Bonis, Marcia … Cast, Harold's Casting Assistant
- Gaynor, J B … Cast, Jeremy Gelbwaks
- Karen Hartman … Cast, Reporter at Brady Scene
- Scotty Leavenworth … Cast, Brian Forster
- Krishna LeFan … Cast, Hippie Buddy
- Lisa Long … Cast, Florence Henderson
- Matt Lunde … Cast, Danny #2
- Nick Nordella … Cast, Monty
- Jeffrey Pallotta … Cast, Christopher Knight
- Clay Wilcox … Cast, Wes
- Marc Worden … Cast, Hippie Hanger-On
- Paul McCartney