In Search of The Partridge Family, Episode 2: The Battle of the "Keiths"

David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, and Danny Bonaduce open the show with more excitement than I thought it was possible to muster. We are given yet another quick refresher course in all things "Partridge," and an explanation of what this new show is all about. Last week we zipped through the auditions and 32 finalists have been brought to Hollywood to vie for our votes. And, tonight, we get to choose a new Keith.

Todd Newton is our host for competition, which is being taped before a live audience. Now, for those of you not familiar with the TV talent show genre, Newton was the host for last year's delightful summer respite, Performing As. Enough said about that. Todd tells us that this show is completely unique in that the viewers will cast a new TV show. He welcomes the "Keiths," and then the "Lauries" take the stage. Let's bring out the "Dannys," and then, of course, the "Shirleys." The audience reacts with wild abandon. "Somewhere in that group is the next Partridge Family," Todd reminds us. He then dismisses all but the "Keiths." By the end of this show, we will have pared this group down to three. Next week is the "Lauries," then the "Dannys," and finally, the "Shirleys."

Todd brings out the original Keith, David Cassidy. Man, he's short. David tells the participants that this is going to be the opportunity of a lifetime. "This is the American Dream, trust me," he tells them. Now for some clips of David in action. He was sooooo cute! "He was the romantic, but bumbling, but endearing character," Danny says. David was responsible for the shag haircut and the puka shell explosion of the 70s. That he was! Today, David is still short and has a lot less hair, but the ladies are still screaming.

Each of the "Keiths" introduces himself. Dave Petruzzi loves his hair as much as Keith does. Every mom wants Sutter Zachman to be her son, and he wants to be the son of Shirley Partridge. Leland Grant wants America to fall in love with him, and James Snyder see this as a stepping stone. Teddy Geiger is a rock star, and loves his mom. Jonathan Redford can do the hair flip, and Paul Carpenter will put up or shut up. Lucais Reilly can be a geeky, lovable rock star. I like Paul Carpenter!

Okay, now that we've met the contestants, it's time to meet the judges. They've been working with the contestants and have been watching hours of footage to try and see who most closely resemble the original. We get to see a few minutes of the guys' experience at "boot camp." David tells them that his job is to make them the best they can be. He wants to see them all do well. They are run around, trying on clothes, practicing, getting their hair styled, and even their eyebrows plucked. David picks them up in a Hummer limo, and they tour Hollywood and do some singing. "The competition is getting tense," one of the Keiths tells us.

Todd introduces Danny Bonaduce, who tells us that it's amazing he remembers the 1970s. Let's meet the Judges - Tim Palmer (record producer), Mary Jo Slater (casting director), Bill Oakley (Executive Producer The Simpsons and the new Partridge Family), and Nancy Matalon (executive with Sony Music). Three of the "Keiths" will now be eliminated. They have all been scored based on their singing and acting ability, as well as how closely they resemble the original. If their score is 18 or over, they are moving on. The lights dim and some sort of strange guitar music begins. The guys are tense. Teddy gets an 18.2 and is moving on. Jonathan scores 17.5, and is going home. Sutter joins Teddy with an 18.8. We move on to David who scores 20.7. Wow! Four left. James gets 17.1 and is gone. Leland is staying with a 22.1. (He's the one who was recently reunited with his birth mother who is one of the finalists for Shirley!). Paul and Lucais remain. Paul is going home with a 16.5. He was robbed. Lucais is moving on. The Top 5 hug and leap about.

Now, each of them will have a chance to sing us a song. First up is David Petruzzi. Todd tells us that David's tattoo says, "Live to Dream and Dream to Live." David is from Maple Grove, MN and is 19. He carries a picture of his late grandfather as inspiration. David likes Keith because he is very opinionated and driven. He was supposed to start at Berklee School of Music this fall and has deferred to take part in this competition. He sings George Michael's "Faith." At least they have a live band. The kid can sing but the performance is very, very karaoke.

The judges score - Tim 8.0, Mary Jo 8.5, Bill 6.3, Nancy 8.0. I give him a 7.5.