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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

'The Partridge Family' Kings Island Episode Aired In 1973

ABC Television
"The Partridge Family" premiered in fall 1970 on ABC with (from left) Shirley Jones, Jeremy Gelbwaks, Suzanne Crough, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce and David Cassidy

Updated from Jan. 26, 2017.

A few months after Kings Island opened in 1972, The Partridge Family cast came to film their ABC show there a full year ahead of The Brady Bunch.

The episode called "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati,"  with Johnny Bench as a waiter, premiered on this date, Jan. 26, 1973.

Bench took time from his 1972 National League MVP season to shoot a cameo as a poolside waiter – wearing a black bow tie and gold jacket – at the old Kings Island Inn just north of the park.

Credit Kings Island
David Cassidy and Susan Dey riding the antique cars at Kings Island in 1972.

The TV family of pop musicians -- stars Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster – were shown enjoying the park when not performing on an International Street stage.

The episode title refers to teen heartthrob Keith (Cassidy), his little brother Danny (Bonaduce) and their manager Reuben Kincaid (Dave Madden) all trying to date Kings Island publicist Audrey Parson (guest star Mary Ann Mobley).

It's a fun time capsule from KI's first year, with scenes of the long-gone sky ride, the Kings Island Inn rooms and pool, and young female park employees wearing funky yellow-and-orange caped uniforms in this 2-1/2 minute clip for "Together We're Better."

https://youtu.be/_ieKGyHir3U","_id":"0000017a-3b4a-d913-abfe-bf4ef3360000","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/_ieKGyHir3U">https://youtu.be/_ieKGyHir3U","_id":"0000017a-3b4a-d913-abfe-bf4ef3360000","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/_ieKGyHir3U

The Partridge cast rides the blue Racer, merry-go-round, antique cars and the Rivertown log flume ride. They also dance on International Street with the Banana Splits characters. 

Bench's screen time lasted only 30 seconds, taking vodka on the rocks orders from Rueben and Audrey.

"Make mine a vodka on the rocks too," Cassidy says. When the adults glare at him, he changes his mind: "On second thought, make mine rocks. Hold the vodka." Here's the Bench clip:

https://youtu.be/8CVKqMDXL30","_id":"0000017a-3b4a-d913-abfe-bf4ef3360002","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/8CVKqMDXL30">https://youtu.be/8CVKqMDXL30","_id":"0000017a-3b4a-d913-abfe-bf4ef3360002","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/8CVKqMDXL30

Later in the summer of 1973, The Brady Bunch stars Florence Henderson, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Christopher Knight and Robert Reed shot an episode at Kings Island.  It was broadcast Nov. 23, 1973.

Here's the entire "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati" which premiered on Jan. 26, 1973.

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John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.