Written by William S. Bickley
Produced by Mel Swope
Directed by Charles Rondeau
Original Air Date: November 24, 1973
Reuben Kincaid's nephew, Alan, comes to live with him to be his assistant.
It's evident right from the start that Alan is eager to learn but he's always
failed at everything. He suffers from shyness and a total lack of confidence.
Keith and Laurie try to build him up and find out what he really would like to
be. Alan confides that he wants to be a comedian but he's terrified of
audiences. When he does some of his act for them, they discover he's really
funny but he's too afraid to try.
Alan gets a chance to show what he's learned about managing when Reuben can't
go with the family on a club date. Alan will manage the family all by himself
for two days.
Everything goes smoothly, until Alan loses his notebook with all the itinerary
written in it. Then the date becomes a total disaster. Alan loses the costumes
at the cleaners, fouls up their dinner reservations and then, in a grand
finale, turns out the lights during the Partridges' performance.
Alan confesses the loss of the notebook to the family and says it just proves
he's a failure again. Shirley decides that Alan should have a chance to do
what he does best, tell jokes, by appearing with them at the club. Reuben has
his misgivings but, when Alan hears the audience laugh at his first joke, he
relaxes and is a smash. Shirley tells Reuben that he's lost an assistant but
gained a client.
Songs:
"That's the Way It Is With You," music and lyrics by Harriet
Schoch (on Bulletin Board)
"I'm Into Something Good," music and lyrics by Gerry Goffin and
Carole King (unreleased on commercial LP) (Screen Gems Volume 8)
Guest Cast:
Alan Kincaid ----------------------------------------------- Alan Bursky
Maitre'd ---------------------------------------------------- Gino Conforti
Chef -------------------------------------------------------- Rod Gist
