Written by Susan Harris
Produced by Larry Rosen
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer
Original Air Date: October 27, 1972
Grandma and Grandpa come to the Partridge house having rediscovered themselves, or so they think, through an experience with an encounter group. In an effort to share what they learned with Shirley and the kids, the grandparents provoke them all in expressing their hostility toward each other so that their pent-up feelings will be brought out into the open. When the kids start arguing bitterly, Shirley is forced to tactfully suggest to her parents that they are interfering with her family life, and they leave.
A few days later, a tearful Grandma comes knocking on the Partridge's front door, explaining that she and Grandpa have been too honest with each other, for he had said that their marriage had no zip to it. Grandpa later arrives and they consider first getting a divorce and then living together as a means of revitalizing the marriage. Instead, they take Shirley's suggestion to pretend that they are divorced, and then go out with other people. Both Grandma and Grandpa get fixed up, but it is quite obvious that each of them is having a miserable time. What finally succeeds in giving their marriage a "kick in the pants" is the wedding ceremony that they arrange, complete with minister, flower girls and marriage vows.
Song:
"Something New Got Old," music and lyrics by Wes Farrell and Bobby Hart (on Notebook)
Guest Cast:
Grandpa -------------------------------------------- Ray Bolger
Grandma ------------------------------------------- Rosemary DeCamp
Dwight ---------------------------------------------- Bill Zuckert
Minister --------------------------------------------- Gordon Jump
Candy ----------------------------------------------- Toni Berrell
Daisy ------------------------------------------------ Ondine Vaughn
Tube Trivia:
- Ray Bolger starred on the vaudeville stage, appeared in dozens of feature films and television series, but is probably best remembered as the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz." He also appeared as Grandpa Fred Renfrew in episode 35.
- Rosemary DeCamp starred in "The Life of Riley," "The Bob Cummings Show," and as the mother of Marlo Thomas in "That Girl." She also appeared as Grandma Amanda Renfrew in Episodes 35 and 86.
- Gordon Jump also appeared in Episodes 1, 34, 47, 62, 78, and 87.
- Susan Harris wrote for many popular TV series, including "All In The Family," "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," "Maude," (Including the controversial abortion episode) "Love American Style," and "Happy Days." She created or co-created an incredible array of TV classics, including "Soap," "Empty Nest," "Nurses," "Loves Me, Loves Me Not" (starring Susan Dey), It Takes Two," "Benson," "The Golden Girls," and "Golden Palace." She is married to Paul Junger Witt. To read more about Susan Harris, click here:
- E.W. Swackhamer directed an incredible array of TV series including "The Rookies," "Bewitched," "Hazel," "The Flying Nun," "S.W.A.T.," "Quincy, M.E.," "Gidget," "Life Goes On," "M*A*S*H*," "Law and Order," "Murder, She Wrote," and "L.A. Law." For "The Partridge Family, he directed Episodes 8, 31, 56, 61, 64, 71, 78, and 79. He was married to actress Bridget Hanley ("Here Come The Brides.")