Wouldn't It Be Great If The Screen Tests For The Partridge Family Cast Were Available - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

um · 12-28-2015, 10:50 AM

There is "rare footage" that has somehow been preserved of the different actors and musicians (most notably, Davey Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Mickey Dolenz) who auditioned for "The Monkees" back in the mid 60s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nhSFFFfJ4
I don't know of any other TV show (at least TV shows before the 1980s) whose screen tests for the cast has been kept for all these years. I think I read somewhere that in the pilot episode of the Monkees, or one of the earliest episodes, the screen tests for the four chosen Monkees were part of what was shown in that particular episode.

Regarding TV shows featuring a singing group such as The Partridge Family,
it would be interesting if the screen tests were also available.
But, come to think of it, what other TV sitcom featured the adventures of a group of musicians and singers other than "The Monkees," and "The Partridge Family" ? Someone let me know.

Of course it was an odd situation with both TV shows since "The Monkees" was a sitcom about a "Beatles-like" singing group and the producers wanted actors who can act as if they are singing or playing an instrument, but not necessarily actually know how to play music, but in reality Mickey, Mike, Peter and Davey did have singing and music-playing ability but reportedly "The Monkees" were prevented from actually playing their own music by the producers and other creators of the show.
The Partridge Family cast were chosen as actors also, and were supposed to be good at acting as if they are performing music, but did not need to actually perform music, but Shirley Jones and her stepson David Cassidy could sing and David Cassidy could play a guitar.
Looking back, it seems so strange since the popularity of both shows eventually was partially because of the music produced by both "groups."

I know that an attempt was made sometime in the 1980s to re-create "The New Monkees" as a sitcom with new actors/musicians to attract a new audience, but it failed big time.

But again, it seems that since The Partridge Family was very much like The Monkees in concept and regarding the very circumstances of its creation,
the screen tests for the actors who were eventually chosen should be somewhere in an archive of film. Who knows?

OH Nuts! · 12-28-2015, 10:53 AM

It'd be great to see the tests for TPF, and for many other shows too. One that jumps to mind would be the ones for StepBy Step.

um · 12-28-2015, 11:21 AM

Yes indeed , and it is interesting how there were parallels regarding the casting of the Partridge Family and The Monkees. Ultimately, if none of the cast of either show could really sing or play music, the TV shows would not have been what they became, even though anyone could say that it was just "bubble gum" and/or that none or both were not actually real "singers" or "music groups."

12-28-2015, 10:50 AM	#1
um Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 26, 2015 Posts: 907	Wouldn't It Be Great If The Screen Tests For The Partridge Family Cast Were Available There is "rare footage" that has somehow been preserved of the different actors and musicians (most notably, Davey Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Mickey Dolenz) who auditioned for "The Monkees" back in the mid 60s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nhSFFFfJ4 I don't know of any other TV show (at least TV shows before the 1980s) whose screen tests for the cast has been kept for all these years. I think I read somewhere that in the pilot episode of the Monkees, or one of the earliest episodes, the screen tests for the four chosen Monkees were part of what was shown in that particular episode. Regarding TV shows featuring a singing group such as The Partridge Family, it would be interesting if the screen tests were also available. But, come to think of it, what other TV sitcom featured the adventures of a group of musicians and singers other than "The Monkees," and "The Partridge Family" ? Someone let me know. Of course it was an odd situation with both TV shows since "The Monkees" was a sitcom about a "Beatles-like" singing group and the producers wanted actors who can act as if they are singing or playing an instrument, but not necessarily actually know how to play music, but in reality Mickey, Mike, Peter and Davey did have singing and music-playing ability but reportedly "The Monkees" were prevented from actually playing their own music by the producers and other creators of the show. The Partridge Family cast were chosen as actors also, and were supposed to be good at acting as if they are performing music, but did not need to actually perform music, but Shirley Jones and her stepson David Cassidy could sing and David Cassidy could play a guitar. Looking back, it seems so strange since the popularity of both shows eventually was partially because of the music produced by both "groups." I know that an attempt was made sometime in the 1980s to re-create "The New Monkees" as a sitcom with new actors/musicians to attract a new audience, but it failed big time. But again, it seems that since The Partridge Family was very much like The Monkees in concept and regarding the very circumstances of its creation, the screen tests for the actors who were eventually chosen should be somewhere in an archive of film. Who knows?

12-28-2015, 10:53 AM	#2
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	It'd be great to see the tests for TPF, and for many other shows too. One that jumps to mind would be the ones for StepBy Step.

12-28-2015, 11:21 AM	#3
um Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 26, 2015 Posts: 907	Yes indeed , and it is interesting how there were parallels regarding the casting of the Partridge Family and The Monkees. Ultimately, if none of the cast of either show could really sing or play music, the TV shows would not have been what they became, even though anyone could say that it was just "bubble gum" and/or that none or both were not actually real "singers" or "music groups."