Two for the Show

The fourth season of The Partridge Family is the show's weakest. Danny has entered the awkward teen years, David Cassidy seems checked out, and the songs are forgettable. So the show made multiple attempts to bring in new characters to bring some youth back into the show. This parade of losers included talentless little Ricky from next door who got to screech a number at the end of each episode, and Reuben's comedian-wannabe nephew who had the same haircut as Keith.

In this episode, the show introduces Andy Williams' real-life identical-twin nephews as the latest lambs to the slaughter. These two cannot act. At all. It's painful. Their little number at the end is passable at best. And fellas: you're way too old to be dressing alike. It's not cute at 14 - just creepy.

"Two for the Show" was the last instance where the producers tried to improve sagging ratings by introducing new talent, twin brothers Andy and David Williams, real life nephews of recording star Andy Williams, only 14 at the time, their 1974 hit "What's Your Name" (a cover of Don and Juan's 1961 hit) following five months after their appearance here. Cast as Reuben's latest singing discoveries, both end with up with identical crushes on Laurie, who understandably cannot choose between the two. They perform the song "Say It Again," composed by Carl Simmons and Ed Welch, previously recorded by Davy Jones on his self titled 1971 LP on Bell Records. The Partridge Family perform the unreleased "Crying in the Rain," composed by Carole King and Howard Greenfield, originally a 1962 hit for The Everly Brothers, peaking at #6 on the Billboard singles charts. Henry Olek had previously played a scruffy biker in both "A Man Called Snake" and "A Penny for His Thoughts." The Williams Brothers went on to do only one movie appearance together, in 1996's "Grace of My Heart."