Written by Bernard Slade
Produced by Paul Junger Witt
Directed by Ralph Senensky
Original Air Date: October 23, 1970

After four weeks on the road, the Partridge family settle into a hotel and Shirley runs into an old friend, Larry Metcalf. She makes a date with him, much to the surprise and dismay of her kids who can't imagine their mother being attractive or attracted to men.

As Shirley and Larry spend more  and more time together, the kids begin to get very worried. Laurie waits up for her one night and tries to give her advice. When Shirley shows up with just minutes to spare before a performance, they decide that this was a very serious matter.

Danny calls Reuben Kincaid and tells him to come immediately -- that Shirley has fallen for a gigolo. Reuben checks up on Larry's financial status and learns that he owns an engineering company and is rather wealthy. Shirley discovers what they are up to and gives Danny a lecture.

One day Keith and Laurie catch Larry in a jewelry shop giving a beautiful ring to a young girl and embracing her. They decide to tell Shirley the hard facts, but Larry walks in and explains that the young girl is his niece Tina and that the ring was a graduation present. The kids feel terrible and Shirley has a serious talk with them about respecting other people's privacy.

Knowing the kids can overhear, Larry pretends to ask Shirley to marry him -- and she says No, she does not love him. This is done to let the kids off the hook.

Shirley and Larry say goodbye and the Partridge kids are very happy that their mother didn't get married.

Song:
"I Really Want To Know You," music and lyrics by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (on The Partridge Family Album)

Guest Cast:
Larry Metcalf ----------------------------------------- John McMartin
Tina -------------------------------------------------- Jaclyn Smith
Hotel Clerk ------------------------------------------- Pitt Herbert

Tube Trivia:
- Jaclyn Smith is best known for playing Kelly Garrett on "Charlie's Angels."
- John McMartin played David Cassidy's father on an episode of "Marcus Welby" the previous season.  He would later play Shaun Cassidy's father in the TV movie "Roots: The Gift."  
- Chris's drum set is painted with the words "The Partridge Family" rather than the familiar staff logo.
- Producer Paul Junger Witt joined Screen Gems in 1965 as an associate producer and director on "Farmer's Daughter and "Occasional Wife." In 1971 he co-produced the highly acclaimed telefilm, "Brian's Song." He later went on to co-create and produce such shows as "Soap," "Benson," "The Golden Girls," "Empty Nest," "Beauty and the Beast," "Blossom," "The John Larroquette Show," and many others. His feature credits include "Dead Poet's Society," "Final Analysis," "Three Kings" and "Insomnia."
- TV Guide features "The Partridge Family" on their cover for the very first time the week this episode aired. To read their article on Shirley Jones, click here!
- To read our exclusive interview with series creator Bernard Slade, visit the People and Places section of the website!
- "I Really Want To Know You" is a tune recorded by the Cowsills earlier this same year.