Music Blogs

First, a caveat: I was always more of a Brady Bunch guy. I was aware of The Partridge Family in reruns, but for some reason the saga of the musical moppets never grabbed me quite as much as the divorce drama of the Bradys, who, you might recall, had their own budding rock star in the form of Greg’s alter ego, Johnny Bravo.

But when I heard that NBC was reworking the Partridge saga as a one-camera shooter in which the writer promises to “turn the premise on its head,” I was psyched. New scripter Jeff Rake said rather than the original scenario, where the kids recruited Shirley Partridge (original hot mom Shirley Jones) to front the band, now the well-meaning mom will be pimping her kids out to create a Simpsons/Lohan-like cash cow. Rake promises a “one-hour, high-octane action dramedy.”

I’m sold! I have some ideas for the new cast, but let’s rewind and recall that the original version featured:
 

 
Danny Bonaduce as Danny Partridge
The frequently nude in real life reality rehab star is now known for his penchant for celebrity boxing and failed relationships.
 

 
David Cassidy as Keith Partridge
The thrice-married teen-scream king, who is reportedly a well-endowed lothario, bedded costar Susan Dey as well as ’50s screen queen Gina Lollobrigida and had a wild life of drugs and sex romps in the ’70s.
 

 
Susan Dey as Laurie Partridge
The actress reportedly developed the bizarre eating disorder orthorexia nervosa while filming Partridge, and in an attempt to stay thin only consumed carrots, which turned her skin orange.
 

Already, the bar is set high, but here are some of my ideas for who could populate the new version:
 

Band manager Reuben Kincaid
Who else could play Reuben but the current monarch of dysfunctional musical families, Joe Simpson?
 

 
Lead singer/guitarist Keith
I say we go authentic and get a real singer in there who already has a reputation as a ladies man: John Mayer.
 

 
Bassist Danny
Can you say 11-year-old Cody Lohan? Nailed it! With his background, that kid is a Bonaduce-in-the-making.
 

Keyboardist/tambourine shaker Shirley
I see Liz Phair in this cougar-y role, no doubt.

 
Singer/pianist Laurie
If you can get her, Fiona Apple would have just the right amount of angst and darkness to give the show some edge. If not, go with the gimme: Ali Lohan.
 

 
Drummer Chris
He might be a bit old for the part at this point, but former kid star Zac Hanson has the chops and the slapstick ability to do broad humor.
 

Tambourine player Tracy
This is a great opportunity for stunt casting. I say you make this a rotating role and bring in a series of guest musicians to fill out the group as a kind of running gag on how hard it is to find good help. My short list: Meg White, Pete Doherty, Travis Barker, and Brooke Hogan.

Drop by GetBack.com for your daily dose of pop culture pleasure -- music, movies, games, and more.