Shirley Jones to Star in Reality Show-Forever Family

[caro]

I

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by caro

Shirley Jones to Star in Reality Show-Forever Family

I personally think this project is a loser.
They have Shirley Jones in her late seventies joining a rock band.

http://theforeverfamily.com/about.html

Here is the trailer. Does anyone look forward to this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePtNsyzt8PU

Here are some behind the scenes.
I would have like to see Shirley grow old gracefully.

I think they will lose the audience completely if they involve her evil husband Marty,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bev70o_yDIU

Hi. Thanks for the critique. Rather than sic tens of thousands of our quarter of a million youtube viewers on you, I thought it would be nicer if I replied myself. It's hard to be objective when you've spent the last decade of your life working on a project, not to mention putting six figures of lifetime earnings into it, but I have always believed and still believe that most people would love to see a reality show that dealt with a bunch of regular nice people overcoming overwhelming odds and watching how they dealt with problems of a skeptical public and people in the industry who just don't get it, rather than watch a show where the principals all hate each other and destroy themselves and each other. With Tina Turner still touring and huge in Europe, with Lena Horne on Broadway and performing in front of big bands in her eighties until the day she died, with Shirley still touring and singing and performing all year long, there is no reason in this world that she couldn't join a rock band full of her lifelong fans, for her three generations of fans, and learn to rock for real and tour. We're not trying to be The Partridge Family, they were not a real band. I assure you we are a real band, collectively we've all played for hundreds of thousands of people here in Las Vegas and throughout the world. I'm not trying to be David Cassidy, I am a tremendous fan of his and he does what he does and we do what we do. What we are first trying to do is keep the incredible music created by the greatest studio musicians and singers and arrangers and songwriters and producer in the world alive and growing, and secondly, do that through two TV shows. David just doesn't want to do that music anymore. David doesn't want to relive the Partridge Family and tour with Shirley. He has his own thing, and it's tremendous. We want to rock and tour with Shirley, we've all worked very hard and given up the last ten years of our lives to do it, Shirley has been gracious enough to participate and given up much of her valuable time, we are going viral on youtube with no negativity anywhere in sight, and we are going to get our shows sold and we are going to get our music out to a mass audience who gets it.

I'm sorry you would like to see Shirley grow old in a way you feel is "graceful". That is ageist, very discriminatory, and Shirley, I assure you, is still incredibly young, beautiful, and vibrant, and will be dragged into old age "gracefully" kicking, screaming, biting, and fighting like Lulu Baines in "Elmer Gantry". As will anyone else worth their humanity.

As far as "evil" husband Marty Ingels? Having worked with the man extensively to make this project happen, and as someone I consider a friend, I can only rise to the defense of my friend and say if Marty Ingels was "evil", why in the world would Shirley Jones still be married to him after all these years? For someone who doesn't even know him to call someone "evil" is just plain wrong. This is not "evil" Marty Ingels' project nor idea; it is ours. THE FOREVER FAMILY. This is NOT Shirley Jones posing for Playboy; this is not Shirley Jones bedding dopers in movies. This is Shirley Jones being herself, a world class singer, merely learning another style she's been integrally and organically associated with for decades and ROCKING IT while her fans (and millions of new ones worldwide) cheer. What's wrong with that?

I really appreciate your posting here to tell everyone about us, and I understand your position and where you're coming from, but I completely and vehemently disagree.

Thanks for the mention though, it is appreciated. The Partridge Family had their haters too back in the day. I hope through our earnest love for each other and the music that we can one day earn your respect and good wishes and viewership.

Have you downloaded the FREE CD on our website? Please do when you have a chance.

Les
Leslie Lee Bell
for "The Forever Family"
Starring Shirley Jones

P.S. Shirley Jones is NOT in her "late seventies".

[1960'sTVfan]

Shirley Jones is 77, so yea that would qualify her as being in her late 70's. I saw the trailer on you tube, on the surface it looks like a 2011/2012 version of The Partridge Family. Those red, blue, and yellow colors are present, the one guy has the David Cassidy hairstyle, another guy has the Danny Bonaduce hairstyle, the one girl has the Susan Dey hairstyle. Too bad David Cassidy isn't involved with this, David reuniting with Shirley would be pretty big news. Without David I don't think this show will succeed, but who knows anything is possible. Give it a try, go for it good luck with it.

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by caro

"Sorry but Marty Ingels is evil. I know for a fact that Shirley's kids had to take certain rights taken away from him. Ryan Cassidy has his wedding video out and Marty Ingels is no where to be found."

As someone who knows and works with Marty Ingels and Shirley Jones and respects and loves both of them highly, it is not my place nor desire to get into family squabbles via fan magazines and pipelines just for press. Other people do have other agendas. Once again, to say someone is "evil" from hearsay is reprehensible, and I don't care if the source is other family. We've heard so ourselves on occasion and I don't give a flying pig. Until we hear it from Shirley, as in another separation or divorce, it's baloney. They have been together through thick and thin for a very long time, even longer in Hollywood time, and obviously they love each other very much. I'm not sorry a bit that these Forever Family TV shows are about supporting and encouraging family love, not tearing it apart. That can be your job if you need it to be; you have all our permission.

Originally Posted by caro

"Shirley said herself in that video that she was furious when she found out Marty got her involved in this thing."

Now you're talking about our video. I edited it. We lived it. Shirley was not furious because Marty involved her with us. Watch it again. Shirley was furious because he didn't tell her about it until the very last minute after talking it over with us for three years. He thought, like every other pipe dream in Hollywood, that our chances of getting to even a shooting stage of production were nil and he wouldn't have to tell her. The man gets hit up with 1000 ideas from hopefuls a day. 999 of them never amount to anything.

As it worked out, she loved the whole idea, was throughly glad she did it, and although never mentioning a word about it publicly because at this stage in her life she cannot afford another failure, I assure you she has the highest hopes for it because it has heart, and fantastic music, and is every bit as magic a "reality" TV show as any sitcom Screem Gems ever dreamed of.

And just between you and me? Shirley loves the idea of being the hottest and sexiest grandma in rock and roll and giving Tina Turner and Cher and even Madonna a run for their money. The woman did not win an Oscar for nothing; she can play thirty-something with ease and not only make you believe it, she can make young guys believe it too. By the time we're through, 80 will be the new 40.

Originally Posted by caro

"The reason Shirley obediently goes along with these things is for the money. Shirley always stated her dislike of reality TV and now she is doing one."

Now Marty Ingels has her in the poorhouse doing things she hates for money? He's pimping her out against her will and our pilot is proof? Really, you should be writing for the National Enquirer. People get paid (and sued) for stuff like this.

This is not "Breaking Bonaduce". These are not your mother's reality TV shows. There are enough problems for a band with a grandmother to overcome, while engaging in a complete enormous estate renovation, without needing to engage in the usual politics of personal destruction. The Forever Family's problems are the TV and Music Business, construction contracting nightmares, and human frailty, not each other. We've already turned down five major production companies and cable networks whose forte is only personal destruction shows. Sorry, not interested. When you get it and want to do it right, we'll be here.

Originally Posted by caro

Another reason for disliking Marty is a book called Shirley and Marty a Love Story. It is a book a lies and half truths. On Wikipedia there is sone [sic] quote from the book which states how Shirley Jones state [sic] how she rebuffed Jack Cassidy's Advances [sic] before he died and then he died in a fire. Right next to that is a quote from Shirley where she said that both her and Jack wanted to reconcilement. If Jack were alive she would never have married Marty. Everyone knows that Shirley is being controlled. This is the way Marty rolls. He makes deal behind Shirley's back and then Shirley is left with nothing to do but go through with it."

Oh brother. I don't know where to begin. Jack Cassidy was a wonderful man, a talented actor and a tremendously underrated singer, one of Broadway's only true tenors and a personal favorite of mine, but unfortunately with severe mental illness brought about by alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, and self-hatred of his bisexuality from growing up in an entirely different world than we live in today. One could just as easily say "If Jack were alive, Shirley would be dead by now for what he put her through." I would never say either thing. I'm sorry you seem to live in some sort of fantasy world where people are on pedestals and stay together forever no matter how nuts someone is. Jack brought Shirley a ton of pain but rarely made her laugh. Maybe that's what love really is; bringing your loved one joy through laughter even as you drive each other crazy, as every couple does if they stay together long enough and if they're human. The easier alternative is switching partners every decade or so. I admire Shirley and Marty for making it work this long when they have even family working against Marty.

And you obviously do not know Shirley Jones in the slightest. NO ONE CONTROLS SHIRLEY JONES. EVER. As everyone will see in future episodes once the networks finally WAKE UP.

Originally Posted by caro

"I feel bad for the Cassidy family do have to deal with Marty."

Obviously. I feel worse they have to deal with fans, employees, or even friends trying to sow discord.

Originally Posted by caro

"Everyone knows Marty has a bad reputation."

No, everyone doesn't know that because it's not true. If anything, Marty is a colossal pain precisely because he is so protective of Shirley. If I had to tell you the times he asked us if we were drug dealers, or had to explain to him and her management just exactly what this show was all about, how Shirley would be portrayed, over and over and over and over again for three years, then you, too, would know that the man loves her more than anything on this earth and in heaven too. And putting him in the show was my idea, not his.

Originally Posted by caro

"I feel bad fir [sic] anyone who feels the need to kiss up to him. You have a loser on your hands with Marty. According to Marty everyone loves him. The guy is full if it."

Kiss up to him? Nobody kisses up to Marty Ingels. He won't allow it, and you'll be smacked to the pavement in three seconds. Marty Ingels is a street guy with street smarts and a tremendous heart, and that's why Shirley Jones has loved him all these decades. That's also why we love him: Precisely because he loves her so very much. Jack Cassidy was a great man but now he's long gone and Marty Ingels is here, for Shirley, today. And let me finish with something that no lovesick Jack Cassidy fan could ever understand: he makes her laugh and never puts her down.

And laughter and belief, my friend, is something that the older we get in this life, the more we need.

And to be surrounded with young people who see you and treat you as one of them. And that, precisely, is what The Forever Family TV shows are all about.

And anybody who doesn't get that, can just not watch. There are far more than enough people in this world who do get it to make up the difference.

Thanks.

Les
Leslie Lee Bell
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Shirley Jones is 77, so yea that would qualify her as being in her late 70's. I saw the trailer on you tube, on the surface it looks like a 2011/2012 version of The Partridge Family. Those red, blue, and yellow colors are present, the one guy has the David Cassidy hairstyle, another guy has the Danny Bonaduce hairstyle, the one girl has the Susan Dey hairstyle. Too bad David Cassidy isn't involved with this, David reuniting with Shirley would be pretty big news. Without David I don't think this show will succeed, but who knows anything is possible. Give it a try, go for it good luck with it.

Heck, you are right, I apologize, I had NO idea because Shirley seems so much younger in person!

I kinda agree about the David thing. BUT it's the last thing in the world David wants to do, or NEEDS to do for HIS head. Also the money is just impossible; we work cheap!

Hey, thanks for the good wishes!!! (but Shirley Partridge never let Danny have hair as long as Mike's!!! )

Les


P.S. Make sure you download a free CD at the website when you have some time!

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by caro

Stop hiding behind Shirley Jones. I think she is a lovely person but her voice is not what it once was.

You obviously are a vicious hateful person with nothing nice to say about anyone, including Shirley Jones who you say you are trying to "protect" from evil Marty Ingels and the evil Forever Family and reunite with the very dead Jack Cassidy. And Shirley Jones' voice is BETTER THAN EVER.

As for the rest of your "inside info" and "expertise", I wouldn't believe a single thing you said if you were the last person on earth. Insult Shirley Jones and you are out of my life forever.

Shirley Jones owes "fans" like you NOTHING. And God help her if you actually were a friend or are family. I do not believe that for a single second.

I have nothing more to say to you and wish you all the best in the world, including the very best of mental treatment.

Leslie Lee Bell
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones

[TheForeverFamily]

I hope you erased all your poisonous posts (except for the first which started the thread) because in some small way I got through to you.

The world needs more love. Not personal destruction and internet sniping.

Just because people are celebrities doesn't make them our possessions.

I sincerely hope you have a fulfilling life and I apologize about the mental health crack. I go off when people knock Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels who are and will always be not just my good friends, but Forever Family.

Les
Leslie Lee Bell
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones

[born2late]

This is the first I've heard of this. I love Shirley, and I also love The Partridge Family. I would rather watch her than those no talent Kardashians any day. I'm tired of people getting shows that don't deserve them. I don't watch reality shows, but you better believe I will watch Shirley.

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by born2late

This is the first I've heard of this. I love Shirley, and I also love The Partridge Family. I would rather watch her than those no talent Kardashians any day. I'm tired of people getting shows that don't deserve them. I don't watch reality shows, but you better believe I will watch Shirley.

Hey thanks so much!! Did you see the youtube videos here?

http://youtube.com/theforeverfamily

Please be sure to download your free CD at our main website too, and friend us on myspace and facebook and youtube when you have time.

http://theforeverfamily.com

And thanks so much!! You're exactly who we're doing these shows for!

Les
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by TheForeverFamily

Heck, you are right, I apologize, I had NO idea because Shirley seems so much younger in person!

I kinda agree about the David thing. BUT it's the last thing in the world David wants to do, or NEEDS to do for HIS head. Also the money is just impossible; we work cheap!

Hey, thanks for the good wishes!!! (but Shirley Partridge never let Danny have hair as long as Mike's!!! )

Les


P.S. Make sure you download a free CD at the website when you have some time!

You're welcome Les. I understand what you say about David, but it obviously would be pretty big news if he'd be involved with the project.

A couple questions for you:

Are you currently trying to sell this series to a TV network? If so, have you contacted ABC to inquire if they are interested since they aired the original Partridge Family show?

Are the songs you guys play a mixture of new songs and modern remakes of Partridge Family songs?

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by caro

Shirley voice was never trained to do pop songs. Its better with standards. Marty Ingels will do anything for a quick buck and he makes up stories along the way. I know a couple people I sent the video to said they were bored.
I hoped Patrick Cassidy and his family try to find projects to get Shirley away from this drivel. I admire Patrick for taking his father's place as Shirley's professional partner. People don't want Marty. He is an embarrassment.

Well at least you stopped insulting Shirley!!

OK, we get it, you're a Patrick fan. That's wonderful, hey, we're fans of all the Cassidy kids too, even Patrick. Unfortunately, the last Cassidy family attempt as much as we all loved it was, unfairly in our opinion, a bit of a bomb. Which was a real shame, David in particular had really developed a deadpan comedic flair that reminded me of David Faustino ("Bud Bundy" in "Married With Children") at his best. And Shaun too is an excellent award-winning producer. Patrick was excellent in the show, as was everyone else. David too is an excellent major movie producer, in the brilliant and award winning "Shut Up and Sing" documentary about the Dixie Chicks.

Look, we're fans of the entire family too. But there's no competition and there never will be. They're real family. But real families can't often work together in the biz, for whatever reasons.

And once again, our shows are REALITY. This is a real working rock band in Las Vegas, putting together a major arena rock show, with Shirley Jones learning from the very best in the business to rock for real. Real stakes. People like you whose prejudice she, and we, need to overcome.

Thank you for sending our video link to others. Many people will find it boring. Many thousands more will find it fascinating, get it immediately, and won't be able to wait to see it on the air. Nothing like this has ever been done before, as ever been attempted by anyone. And only someone like Shirley Jones could have the courage to do it in the first place, supported all the way by Marty Ingels, and yes, even her family.

I'd think you would be surprised to find out just how much the Cassidy kids and family are behind us 100%. They are all our friends on myspace. We've met David and even Danny Bonaduce personally. They've seen half of us play live. They all have known about this project for years. They know there is no competition whatsoever, that we all want nothing but the best for Shirley and will do everything in our power to protect her and her image, and that this is going to be the only way she can reconnect with her lifetime of fans from the Partridge Family, and also with an entire new generation of millions of more fans worldwide.

And I have to disagree with you. Patrick will be the first to tell you that no one can ever take the place of Jack Cassidy as "Shirley's professional partner" and he never even tried or thought of doing such a thing. Even Marty said over and over he could never replace Jack in Shirley's or the kids' life, and never tried.

I know we will never reach all of Shirley's current fans, or current Partridge Family fans, no matter how much we have tried (at the cost of six figures) to be true to the music and spirit of the original music and show. I do know in my heart that I, that we, can't win over everybody. But that doesn't mean I won't stop trying.

Because I know in my heart, that for every hater, we'll have tens of thousands of other people that love us for who we are and what we do, not for some idea of some sort of threat we represent to some idea they hold.

Thanks.

Les
Leslie Lee Bell
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones


P.S. Shirley is a vocal genius. She can learn, she is learning, to sing pop. She already came a long way in just one recording session. And that journey will be fascinating to watch, and millions will cheer when she pulls it off. Because, one day, even the youngest of us will be old, and we'll be grateful then that Shirley Jones made it something to look forward to.

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

You're welcome Les. I understand what you say about David, but it obviously would be pretty big news if he'd be involved with the project.

I totally agree. As we plan on having major rock stars on every week teaching Shirley how to rock, the greatest thrill of my life would be having David on to pass on his expertise, both as a producer and an incredible performer.

All the family has known about us for awhile, so I'm sure that if David or even Shaun wanted to produce the show or involve themselves in any way they would have let us know by now. I understand any reluctance to get involved in something that isn't already sold, scheduled, and a sure thing. Not to mention they were very busy with "Ruby" for that year, and both have their own companies, projects, and David has his sold out concert tours.

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

A couple questions for you:

Are you currently trying to sell this series to a TV network? If so, have you contacted ABC to inquire if they are interested since they aired the original Partridge Family show?

None of the majors have been formally approached, especially since the contest element of the show became a fully integrated part of the show. We figured it would be better to take the concept directly to youtube and the public first to prove there is an audience (which we've done) and then production companies that get the concept and a network already looking for such programming would approach us.

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Are the songs you guys play a mixture of new songs and modern remakes of Partridge Family songs?

Yes, both. I've written many originals, plus I've picked the best hits and obscure "should-have-been-hits" from the '66 to '76 pre-disco time period, and then a handful of Partridge Family covers. Shirley handles standards like "You Send Me" and "What A Wonderful World" as well as originals. We've got arrangements for more than 12 full CDs in the can and ready to record, including songs originally done by Mama Cass, the Cowsills, The Grassroots, the Association, all the major "wrecking crew" bands and artists are represented even obscure ones like the Clique. Songs about love and peace that resonate with where America and the world is today. Shirley sings lead on three songs per release, and I do the rest, although starting with the second CD we'll be featuring our other knockout girl vocalists Stephanie Calvert and Avis Ellis on lead vocals a lot more and me a lot less.

The Live Show has a handful of hits and mostly medleys from the 40's and 50's all the way through the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, and even a Zeppelin and Gaga tune or two thrown in. We can cover all the bases because we're new and don't have enough catalog to do a full show of all originals. It's an advantage. Plus it gives us a chance to prove that we really can rock!

Thanks!!

Les
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by caro

"I wasn't insulting Shirley I was being honest."

It's practically impossible to be dishonest to your own opinion when insulting someone, isn't it?

Originally Posted by caro

"Her voice isn't what it once was."

That's a matter of ignorant opinion as well as being insulting. As someone who's worked with her extensively in the recording studio (with her voice under a microscope) she's as great as she ever was. In pop, she's better and getting better all the time.

Originally Posted by caro

"She used to have a soaring soprano. It has dropped a few Octaves."

Now you're displaying more of your ignorance. She has all the upper range she always had, and still does concerts singing all those songs in her "legit" mezzo voice in the original keys. We utilize her lowest range by choice. As Richard and Karen Carpenter said "The money's in the basement". Pop listeners prefer lower voices in the speaking range where the most personality is evident. That's what we concentrate on.

Originally Posted by caro

"The people I showed it to also thought like me that it was insulting to Shirley."

And they are who and where?

Originally Posted by caro

"Can't you take criticism."

Very well, actually, when it's constructive and not merely hateful. Please cite one single frame of either video that makes Shirley look bad. One frame. She looks beautiful throughout (far better than she's looked on anything since and many things before), she worked hard, and had a lot of fun. Her laughter is contagious and irrepressible throughout.

Originally Posted by caro

"You also have this link on Cmongethappy.com and I don't see a whole Lot of people responding to it.gone "[sic]

I haven't been on that vanity board (boards run for the purpose of promoting someone's expertise) in more than several years. I have no link there to anything. We do provide links to it throughout our website though along with all other remotely relevant boards people might find interesting.

Originally Posted by caro

"I am not afraid of Marty Ingels. I am more afraid of a toothless terrior. [sic] Marty got fired from the Gotti movie for good reason. Does he still have that picture of John Travolta and him on Facebook Marty got fired. Yes I dealt with him in the past and he is a liar and manipulator. You are dealing with the most hated person in show business. Sorry. This will fail. You really have no idea the amount of verbal and sexual harassment Marty bestows on people. The very idea of Marty makes one regurgitate."

You have nothing to fear from Marty Ingels. We all get that you have a personal problem with Marty Ingels that apparently borders on the pathological. We all have taken it fully into account. Believe me.

Les
Leslie Lee Bell
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones

[1960'sTVfan]

Thanks Les for answering my questions. This really seems to be a labor of love for you, I wish you luck with it and will check for any news regarding the show coming to TV.

I'm a fan of 1970's hit music, a labor of love for me over the years has been putting together a collection of 1970's hit songs. I just completed the collection this year, it's a total of 288 songs covering the whole decade 1970 to 1979. All of the songs I chose made the Billboard top 40, many were top ten hits and several of them were #1 hits. Of course my opinion is biased, but I think my collection absolutely blows away any other 1970's compilations that are out there. The Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" is one of the songs I chose from the year 1970.

[TheForeverFamily]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Thanks Les for answering my questions. This really seems to be a labor of love for you, I wish you luck with it and will check for any news regarding the show coming to TV.

I'm a fan of 1970's hit music, a labor of love for me over the years has been putting together a collection of 1970's hit songs. I just completed the collection this year, it's a total of 288 songs covering the whole decade 1970 to 1979. Of course my opinion is biased, but I think my collection absolutely blows away any other 1970's compilations that are out there. The Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" is one of the songs I chose from the year 1970.

No prob and thanks! Oh, that is so cool, do you have it published anywhere on the web? We might well be planning to do several songs on it.

Thanks again!

Les
The Forever Family
Starring Shirley Jones