The Partridge Family - Season 1, Episode 16 (16)

Title: Old Scrapmouth

First aired: January 15, 1971

Synopsis:

Laurie hopes that Jerry, a boy who lives across the street and is very shy, at last asks her to go steady. But Shirley has bad news for her, Laurie is to have braces for 6 months, and the appointment is fixed for the next day. Laurie takes it very hard, and she is certain that Jerry will change his mind and won’t ask her.

While she is at the dentist, Reuben shows up, very proud of himself, and informs the Partridges that the following day a high-profile talk show will be recorded in their living room and broadcast nationwide.

When Laurie returns home with the braces she goes to her room, and at first refuses even to talk. She is very unhappy. The family is ready to cancel the show if Laurie feels that she can’t make it. But Laurie doesn’t want to disappoint everybody, and she agrees to do the show.

The next day the TV crew with the show’s host, Wink Burgess appear at the Partridges’ house, and Wink asks Laurie to stop covering her mouth and smile at the camera. Laurie has had enough and with tears in her eyes runs out of the house and hides in the bus. Jerry finds her there and asks her to go steady. Poor Laurie starts crying again and runs back to the house.

At last everything is ready for the recording and The Partridge Family starts rehearsals but Laurie plays out of tune. She complains that instead of her family playing she hears the Rolling Stones in her mouth. Dr Kassel, her dentist, who’s been invited by Shirley to watch the show, explains that Laurie’s braces pick up radio signals. Everybody starts searching for the source of it. Laurie meets Jerry and discovers that his transistor radio is the culprit. She is so happy that she forgets about her braces. Jerry tells her that nothing changes for him and that she is beautiful with or without braces. They hug.

After the taping Dr Kaseel tells Laurie that he has a solution for her. Instead of permanent braces for 6 months she can have removable ones, to be worn at night-time, for 2 years. That’s something she prefers.
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Song:
The Love Song - Sung by the Bahlers (not sung by David Cassidy)

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

Directed by: Herbert Kenwith

Written by: James S. Henerson

Guest Star: Mark Hamill as Jerry

Script: (Click the image to read the script)