Written By Ken Hulsey
Thanks for joining me for another blast from the past on Retro Saturday Morning! This week, I'm continuing our colorful journey through the animated gems that popped up starting in the Fall of 1974. Remember how we've talked about some wild cartoon adaptations of beloved live-action series like Emergency, Gilligan's Island, and I Dream of Jeannie? Well, hold onto your cereals, because this week we're diving into the wacky world of *Partridge Family: 2200 A.D.*—yes, you guessed it, the animated version of that groovy sitcom, *The Partridge Family*!But wait! This isn’t just a simple cartoon makeover; Hanna-Barbera decided to shake things up by catapulting our favorite family into the distant future! Imagine that! Instead of merely copying the sitcom, they threw the characters into a Jetsons-style world that was all the rage. If you squint hard enough, you’ll see the spirit of *The Jetsons* dancing all around—spaceships whizzing by, futuristic architecture, and tech that would make any sci-fi lover giddy with delight. In fact, it’s as if they took the characters from *The Partridge Family* and dropped them right into the vibrant universe of *The Jetsons*. Voilà! Instant nostalgia!
In the early brainstorming stages, Hanna-Barbera dreamt big with ideas of an updated *Jetsons* where Elroy was a teenager and Judy was busy being an ace reporter. But CBS, under the watchful eye of Fred Silverman, waved goodbye to that concept and sent us hurtling into the animated realm of our favorite musical family instead. Fun fact: The Partridge Family had already popped up in a previous cartoon venture, *Goober and the Ghost Chasers*.
So, what’s the deal in this funky future? Our beloved family is now living in a Jetsons-like utopia in 2200 A.D.—and guess what? They’re even more “galaxy-famous” than ever! This time, they manage their musical career without the regular help of dear Ruben Kincaid. Did I mention Danny now has a robotic dog named Orbit? Yep! And if that ain't a scoop, Keith and Laurie have a couple of interstellar pals tagging along: Marion, a two-toned green and blue Martian who could fly, and Veenie, the purple-haired Venusian who buzzes with a voice that practically steals the show!
The original gang didn’t entirely leave behind their live-action roots. Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough, and Brian Forster lent their voices to their animated selves, while Susan Dey took a brief turn as Laurie before being succeeded by former Mouseketeer Sherry Alberoni. Chuck McLenan rocked both the speaking and singing voice for Keith Partridge, while Joan Gerber stepped into Shirley Partridge’s shoes, leaving Shirley Jones to wonder what just happened. And let’s not forget John Stephenson, who took over Ruben Kincaid for the few episodes he appeared in. Plus, the legendary Micky Dolenz of *The Monkees* fame had a few recurring roles—what a delightful crossover!
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So there you have it—sixteen half-hour episodes filled with this cosmic blend of nostalgia, humor, and pure animated magic. Get ready to tune in and jive along with *Partridge Family: 2200 A.D.*—it's a trip back to the future that you won't want to miss!
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