The Partridge Family - Season 2, Episode 2 (27)

Title: In 25 Words or Less

First aired: September 24, 1971

Synopsis:

To create publicity for The Partridge Family, Reuben Kincaid hosts a contest where the winner can spend a week with the Partridges at their house. Everybody expects a young fan, probably a girl in love with Keith, as part of the prize is a date with Keith. However, the winner is quite unexpected, a 60-year-old Mrs. Gloria Neugast. She is single and has no contact with her grown up children.

Mrs. Neugast knows every detail about each member of The Partridge Family, she is a woman of great energy, strong views and willpower, so very quickly she takes over the family. Even Shirley is treated like a kid by Mrs Neugast.

Mrs Neugast invites a single doctor, Bernie Appelbaum, as a date for Shirley. Keith doesn’t know why himself, but he takes Mrs Neugast to Muldoon’s Point, and his friends have a big laugh out of him. Mrs Neugast takes over the housework and interferes during the recording session. The family is tired of their guest but they do not want to hurt her feelings. Everybody understands that she has been invited by them and that she feels lonely.

After a week the situation becomes difficult because Mrs. Neugast doesn’t want to leave the Partridges and return to her empty life. She pretends to be ill.

Fortunately, Reuben finds the solution, Mrs Neugast is needed at a child day care center, and she leaves immediately. She doesn’t forget about the family. A week later they get a letter from her, in which she tells Tracy not to bite her nails, Keith not to wear old, torn jeans, and reminds Shirley that she has another date with the very boring doctor.

The memorable quote from this episode occurs when Keith tells Mrs Neugast's that times have changed, she says "You kids invented something new? "
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Songs:
"Echo Valley 2-6809"

Cast:
Shirley Partridge - Shirley Jones
Keith Partridge - David Cassidy
Laurie Partridge - Susan Dey
Danny Partridge - Danny Bonaduce
Chris Partridge - Brian Forster
Tracy Partridge - Suzanne Crough
Reuben Kincaid - Dave Madden

Directed by: Richard Kinon

Written by: Martin Ragaway

Guest Stars: Kay Medford as Gloria Neugast, Gerald Hiken as Bernie Applebaum

Screen Shots: