The Partridge Family - Season 4, Episode 8 (82)

Title: The Diplomat

First aired: November 3, 1973

Synopsis:

Laurie is reading a newspaper article to the family, about ambassador Howard Lipton who is visiting San Pueblo. The diplomat has a reputation as a ladies’ man, and Laurie is not impressed by that image and calls him ‘a playboy’. She quarrels with Keith who thinks the ambassador, being very busy, needs a relaxation, and Laurie shouldn’t put him down only because the man is handsome and intelligent. Their discussion is interrupted by a visitor, Mr Lipton’s assistant, Roger Harper. On behalf of the ambassador, he invites Shirley to dinner that evening. Shirley accepts the invitation and explains to the amazed kids that she briefly met Howard Lipton some years previously at a political rally and this is probably the reason for that surprising invitation.

In the evening the whole family in the best clothes is waiting for the ambassador, but he is very late. Shirley is irritated and decides to go upstairs and change her very elegant dress. At that moment Howard Lipton finally arrives. He brings wonderful yellow roses for Shirley and they leave for their dinner. Keith has a big laugh because Laurie is swept off her feet by a male chauvinist, very handsome and charming ambassador.

But the dinner is not very successful, being interrupted many times by urgent telephone calls. The constant presence of Howard Lipton’s assistant also irritated Shirley. When the next day she is asked for a second date, she refuses. Her refusal becomes the news of the day, a lot of known TV stations want to interview her, the woman who doesn’t want to go on a date with such a man. But Shirley explains to Reuben and Roger Harper that she hasn’t had a good time and nobody ever has treated her like that. At last Howard comes himself to ask Shirley for forgiveness and a second chance. She agrees but under one condition. Instead of going to a restaurant they will have a family dinner at the Partridge home, and no phone is allowed. The dinner is a great success, everybody has a great time. The next day Shirley is late for the rehearsals. She and Howard had a wonderful date last night at the famous…Muldoon’s Point!
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Songs:
How Long Is Too Long & What Kind of Noise Do You Make? (Ricky)

Cast:
Shirley Partridge - Shirley Jones
Keith Partridge - David Cassidy
Laurie Partridge - Susan Dey
Danny Partridge - Danny Bonaduce
Chris Partridge - Brian Forster
Tracy Partridge - Suzanne Crough
Reuben Kincaid - Dave Madden

Directed by: Herb Wallerstein

Written by: Paul Lichtman & Howard Storm

Guest stars : Richard Mulligan as Howard Lipton, Pat Harrington Jr. as Roger Harper, Florida Friebus as Mrs. Hendleman,

Screen Shots: