Here is my list of the top ten episodes of The Patty Duke Show. Of course, this list is subject to change, but this is based on my most recent viewings of these episodes. Notice that the bulk of the top ten episodes are from the first season. Also notice that the majority of these episodes have Patty and Cathy getting equal amount of screen time.

Episodes are listed in the order they were aired.

1.4 - The House Guest - Aunt Pauline comes to visit.
Cathy loses her temper. Enough said. :)

1.9 - The President - Patty vs. Cathy for President
The best political debate this side of Lincoln-Douglass.

1.10 - Double Date - Flu shot leads to Patty pulling double duty.
This episode wore me out just watching it.

1.12 - How to Be Popular - Cathy tries to become more popular.
An episode that focuses on Cathy = Winner.

1.13 - The Songwriters - Patty and Cathy steal a poem.
Patty and Cathy getting into trouble.

1.21 - Let 'Em Eat Cake - Patty and Cathy try to replace mom's cake.
Gotta love the classic cake-baking scene.

1.29 - The Friendship Bit - Is Patty alergic to Cathy
Patty and Cathy arguing about who loves the other more.

2.10 - How to Succeed In Romance - Cathy falls for a new boy at school.
Feet-on-the-ground Cathy falls head over heals.

2.17 - Every Girl Should Be Married - Is Patty's mom trying to get her married?
One of the "most-improved" episodes from the previous time I watched it.

3.25 - Do You Trust Your Daughter? - Martin doesn't trust Patty.
After seeing Patty and her dad's relationship through almost three seasons, this was a great contrast.

I liked the episode where Sammy Davis Jr was a guest and I really liked the one where Chad & Jeremy made an appearance. Since its been over 15 years since I watched those show, I cant remember all the episodes to give eight more.

I like Cathy better than Patty. I remember from Nick @ Nite long ago liking an
episode where Cathy falls for that new boy Christopher. It would have
been nice for that relationship to continue in more episodes. He and Cathy looked good together.
Also I liked a rare episode from Season 3 where Cathy had a major storyline about leaving Brooklyn Heights. That last season focused too much on Patty.

I like Cathy better than Patty. I remember from Nick @ Nite long ago liking an
episode where Cathy falls for that new boy Christopher. It would have
been nice for that relationship to continue in more episodes. He and Cathy looked good together.
Also I liked a rare episode from Season 3 where Cathy had a major storyline about leaving Brooklyn Heights. That last season focused too much on Patty.

The Cathy + Christopher episode was How to Succeed In Romance and it made my top ten. :)

I also liked the other episode you mentioned, and it might have made my top ten if it wasn't for the way the episode ended. They did a poor job wrapping that one up.

The Cathy + Christopher episode was How to Succeed In Romance and it made my top ten. :)

I also liked the other episode you mentioned, and it might have made my top ten if it wasn't for the way the episode ended. They did a poor job wrapping that one up.

Thanks I wondered about the name of that Christopher episode. I may have
to rewatch that one again when it comes to DVD.

It looks like you're a fan of Season 1 and not Season 3. I don't know
how you feel about Season 2 though.

Thanks I wondered about the name of that Christopher episode. I may have
to rewatch that one again when it comes to DVD.

It looks like you're a fan of Season 1 and not Season 3. I don't know
how you feel about Season 2 though.

There are plenty of good episodes in season 2. I'd have to rank season 2 ahead of season 3 and behind season 1. But make no mistake about it, I want all three seasons on DVD! :)

I like the one where Patty and Cathy have to keep baking the cake for the cake contest because someone keeps eating it.

I also like the one where Patty's blonde lookalike Southern, cousin comes to visit.

I like the one where Patty and Cathy have to keep baking the cake for the cake contest because someone keeps eating it.

Another one in my top ten. :)


I also like the one where Patty's blonde lookalike Southern, cousin comes to visit.

Another good one. Patty Duke did triple duty on that one!

I like the one where Patty and Cathy have to keep baking the cake for the cake contest because someone keeps eating it.

I also like the one where Patty's blonde lookalike Southern, cousin comes to visit.


I had forgotten about that episode.

I had forgotten about that episode.


Me too...I forgot about that cake and the 3 Patty Dukes. Girl must have been one busy bee that day.

Me too...I forgot about that cake and the 3 Patty Dukes. Girl must have been one busy bee that day.

And to give Miss Duke her due, she managed to make the southern cousin character distinct from Patty and Cathy. I wonder how many different "cousins" she had in her? :crazy:

Too many good episodes to list only ten, although many of my favorites are from season 3.

I really like the House Guest too. That old bat truly deserved to be put in her place. As far as I'm concerned Cathy was a pussycat to that nervy old witch.

I love Let Them Eat Cake and Double Date as well.

I'm still plowing thru S#1.....honestly, most of them are just terrific. It's so wonderful revisiting this show again. When it came in I was 8, so I remember very little except for Patty's songs which did rather well on the charts/

I don't know about ten 'best,' but I'll offer up my ten 'favorite' episodes, now that I've been able to revisit all three seasons:

1. "The Genius" - This plot surfaced in a number of sitcoms, but never done better than here. A bit of an atypical episode, as Patty is somewhat of a pawn in the narrative, as opposed to her usual position as protagonist/instigator. But such a funny script, and beautifully directed, highlighted by the late-night scene with Poppo. Great example of how a familiar plotline can be transformed into a real gem.

2. "How to Be Popular" - A real classic. Cathy-centric episodes are always winners, but this one is truly tops. The on-location scenes added a terrific flavor; there's the funny cameo; and the resolution is highly pleasing. Top-notch in every way.

3. "The Songwriteres" - Some of the most satisfying episodes are not just when Patty's schemes start barrelling out of control, but also when poor, unwitting Cathy gets tangled in them too. The growing sense of dread overtaking Patty and Cathy as they realize their song could win is quite palpable, and really draws one into this great episode. The presence of Jimmy Dean's homey personality adds to it as well.

4. "Going Steady" - Eddie Applegate at his best, and the episode nicely explores the whole Patty/Richard relationship. Funny lines, dream sequences, and the cast is at the top of their game.

5. "The Perfect Teenager" - Although it's a little hard to buy the premise that Patty's ego could so easily be crushed by a magazine survey, this episode is one of the funniest outings, with lots of laughs. Loved the scenes at the modeling school with Kaye Ballard.

-(con'd)

6. "The Boy Next Door" - Sitcom perfection. Patty Duke serves up a brilliant comedic performance in this episode, which also sports an exceptionally solid, exceptionally amusing script. Everything about this one clicks. It couldn't conceivably be any better. Really, textbook-level perfection.

7. "How to Succeed in Romance" - A smidgen uneven, but my bias for Cathy episodes puts this one in the top-ten. Beautifully filmed, too, in its b&w cinematography. I always recall the shot of Cathy at the piano.

8. "Every Girl Should Be Married" - Certainly one of the funniest episodes, with Patty's perceived predicament building and building on itself. Her mix of fear and frustration (courtesy of our star's considerable talents) is entirely believable, making the comedy really work. Great little episode, which is probably often overlooked.

9. "Patty and the Cut-Rate Casanova" - Patty Lane again being at her most selfish (if not downright naughty), but a really terrific, character-driven episode. The heart of the series was the pull-and-tug of the contrasting personalities of the two cousins, and how each could ultimately benefit and learn from each other. It's a shame this aspect was basically jettisoned in the final season.

10. "Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow" - Script is just so-so, but this episode is a case in which a lot of little elements add together and build into something greater, via overall liveliness and some extremely winsome musical interludes. Ultimately a very memorable and endearing episode.

I like all of them, so it's hard to pick only ten favorite episodes, but I'll try:

1. "Cousins": This one sets up the series quite well, and has quite a few fun moments, especially when Patty and Cathy are chatting after the "Mirror Routine".

2. "The Christmas Present" and "Auld Lang Syne": I've always liked Christmas episodes, and this was also the only two-part Patty Duke Show episode as well. It has a lot of heart, and we also got to see Cathy's father in a major role.

3. "Let 'Em Eat Cake": This one was just too funny, seeing Patty, Cathy and Ross trying to bake a cake.

4. "Practice Makes Perfect": Patty just drives everyone crazy with her Tuba playing in this one...it makes me laugh every time I watch it.

5. "The Perfect Hostess": Cousin Betsy's only appearance (thank goodness) in which she tries to replace Cathy. This one really shows how close Patty and Cathy are, despite their differing personalities.

6. "How To Be Popular": Poor Cathy. You really have to feel for her in this one. I can relate to how lonely and out-of-place she feels.

7. "The Boy Next Door": It's fun to see Cathy get the better of Patty in this one.

8. "Patty Pits Wits: Two Brit Hits": Okay, it was really dumb of Cathy to let Patty get away with locking her in the record vault, but other than that, it's a fun episode.

9. "Patty Meets The Great Outdoors": "There is no house! We are alone in the woods!"

10. "Do You Trust Your Daughter?": An unusual episode, mostly without a laugh track, with a very touching Father-Daughter moment at the end.

Wow a year already and we have seen all the PDS episodes thanks to DVD.

Now my top ten

1. How to Be Popular - Love this Cathy-centric episode. Viewers get to understand this shy and brainy character more. Season 1

2. Double Date - Patty Lane doing double duty as herself and her cousin Cathy. Season 1

3. How To Succeed In Romance - Cathy and Christopher Nuff said Season 2

4. Patty Meets A Celebrity - I like this one. Patty Lane going gaga for Sal Mineo. Season 2

5. The Christmas Present - Part 1 of Cathy and her dad Season 1

6. Auld Lang Syne - Part 2 of Cathy and her dad Season 1

7. The Invisible Boy - Stuffy Singer, whatta name, plays the boy always fixing his car. A rare season 3 ep that I enjoyed. Cathy had a minor role in this one. This was a Patty and Ross dominated episode. Season 3

8. The Friendship Bit - The episode where Patty is allergic to Cathy. Season 1

9. Don't Monkey With Mendel - Patty Lane falling for the science teacher (played by Robert Goulet). Season 2

10. Cathy Leaves Home, But Not Really - The ONLY Cathy dominated episode in the final season. Season 3