The Partridge Family - Season 3, Episode 19 (68)

Title: Bedknobs And Drumsticks

First aired: February 9, 1973

Synopsis:
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon. The family watches TV when Reuben comes and wants to show them a tv commercial for a chicken fast food company called Uncle Erwin’s Country Chicken. The advert is really awful, and the kids and Shirley say no to the proposition to make a commercial for the company. But Reuben urges the family to meet the owner, Uncle Erwin. They agree. During the meeting at his office, Uncle Erwin tells them that he wants to make a new advert, simple, tasteful, and appealing with a family enjoying a day out and eating Uncle’s Erwin’s chicken. He says that The Partridge Family is his only choice.

The advert is filmed on a sunny day. The director, Reuben, Shirley and the kids think the advert is really great but Uncle Erwin is not convinced and he says that he has to think about it.

When in the evening Reuben has a romantic date with Bonnie Kleinschmidt, his stewardess girlfriend, the telephone rings. It’s Shirley, and she tells Reuben to come to the Partridges house immediately. Reuben is not very happy about it, but he goes. Shirley really had a reason to call him. She and the kids have chicken suits on because Uncle Erwin wants them to make another commercial wearing those awful outfits. They all feel really humiliated, being dressed as chickens. Reuben calls Uncle’s Erwin lawyer, but it seems the Partridges have no choice, they have to do another commercial.

Eventually Laurie says something which gives them an idea on what to do. They will make the commercial as badly as possible, and when Uncle Erwin doesn’t like it, he will agree to air the first one. Even though the commercial with the Partridges, disguised as chicken, is truly awful, Uncle Erwin loves it.

The commercial is going to be shown at the Uncle Erwin Franchise Owners convention. The Partridge Family has to also perform there, and they are waiting at the dressing room for their performance, very sad and unhappy because of the awful advert. However, Shirley thinks there is still hope. She tells Reuben to prepare the first ‘picnic’ advert to be ready to show. And she is right, the audience doesn’t like the second commercial, but everybody loves the first one. Uncle Erwin thanks Shirley for their help.
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Song:
Friend And A Lover

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: Herb Wallerstein

Written by: Lloyd Turner & Gordon Mitchell

Guest stars: William Windom as Uncle Erwin, Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmidt, John Lawrence as Conventioneer, Ondine Vaughn as Gwen

Screen Shots: