Usually when TV comedy shows reach the end of their third season, the bloom is slightly off the rose. This wouldn't be true for "The Partridge Family" until the start of the fourth season. Here, the cast is still fresh and the scenario bright. Susan Dey's Laurie (who began to develop an unusual edge in this season, a chestnut-haired number with a tight, serious face and a militant vibe) campaigns for a shy but intelligent girlfriend to win the vote for San Pueblo High's Student Body president--unfortunately, popular brother Keith (David Cassidy, with feathered chestnut hair) is the girl's opposition. Director Lee Philips is careful to taper off the episode's serious moments with some light relief (the show was actually always good at this, no small feat), and he handles guest star Holly Near as Phyllis with kid gloves. Near, who has a varied acting resume of both teen-terribles like "The Todd Killings" and more artistic ventures, is memorable and bracing as the kind of smart but socially awkward girl we all knew in high school (she's marvelous). The Partridges are, of course, a close family unit who inevitably pull together by the finale; but it's always interesting when they take opposite sides on an issue, with warm matriarch Shirley Jones helpful at enlightening her kids on the bigger picture--that when there's another side involved, that side has somebody with feelings, too.
3 Reviews
Looks like a Brady Bunch episode
kevinolzak27 March 2014
"The Selling of the Partridge" is probably the one PARTRIDGE FAMILY episode that most looks like a BRADY BUNCH episode. Laurie is excited to be managing the campaign for student body president on behalf of her friend Phyllis Goldberg (Holly Near). That is, until she learns that big brother Keith is her opponent, after which it's all out war within the family. Keith is confident that he will win, until after he debates Phyllis, duly impressed by her knowledge of the issues. One would expect Greg and Marcia in this scenario, it's less interesting on this show. In lieu of a victory speech, we get David Cassidy's third and final self-penned track issued by The Partridge Family, "There'll Come a Time" (from fifth LP SHOPPING BAG), an upbeat ballad, in contrast to "Lay It On the Line" and "Love Is All That I Ever Needed," both heavy rockers.
White dude runs for class president against better qualified female. Guess who wins?
annb-413 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Holly Near? Sure, I'll check it out - after all, she's a singer with a long career, they'll let her sing, right?
Hoo, boy. Keith decides to run for student body president; Laurie is running opponent Phyllis Goldberg (Near)'s campaign. An excellent, thoughtful speech by Phyllis leads to Keith throwing his backing behind her (it's not clear why he's running; she's clearly someone with ideas and principles and a vision). How excellent to see a less-qualified man acknowledge that his opponent is more worthy!
Somehow we still end up... with the white dude as president. Well, that has been the story my whole life, since before this show aired and to the current time: I shouldn't have been surprised one whit. Depressingly predictable and accurate, for the past centuries and apparently into the next.
Hoo, boy. Keith decides to run for student body president; Laurie is running opponent Phyllis Goldberg (Near)'s campaign. An excellent, thoughtful speech by Phyllis leads to Keith throwing his backing behind her (it's not clear why he's running; she's clearly someone with ideas and principles and a vision). How excellent to see a less-qualified man acknowledge that his opponent is more worthy!
Somehow we still end up... with the white dude as president. Well, that has been the story my whole life, since before this show aired and to the current time: I shouldn't have been surprised one whit. Depressingly predictable and accurate, for the past centuries and apparently into the next.
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