The Partridge Family: Shirley decides the family's been too hard on Reuben lately and they have to start appreciating him a little more. They decide to give him a surprise birthday party and invite his mother. Reuben can't understand why everyone is being so nice to him, even Danny. When he tries to bribe Danny to see what's going on, Danny just says they are appreciating him. Reuben tells the family he believes he's dying, that's why they are being nice to him. There was something in his annual physical that the doctors didn't tell him about and they know the truth. Shirley just about convinces him he's being foolish when Reuben's mother walks in. Now he's convinced he's going to kick the bucket. No amount of talking can change Reuben's mind and he begins to prepare for the hereafter. The family, meanwhile, goes ahead with the plans for the party, hoping that will jar him into realizing the truth. Shirley tricks Reuben into going to the restaurant where the party will be held, and everyone is there, including his stewardess girlfriend, Bonnie Kleinschmidt. As Reuben starts to make his farewell speech over his birthday cake, his mother, fed up with his attitude, decides she's going to fly home. Now Reuben is convinced he's not going to die because his mother is too cheap to leave now and has to make the trip again for his funeral. The family decides they can't be nice to Reuben after this, he can't take it.

Starring:

Danny Bonaduce, Dave Madden, David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, Suzanne Crough

Genre:

Comedy, Family, Music