Guest Author - Michelle Snow
The Partridge Family, the 1970s family sitcom that spawned the same-named chart-topping pop act, will be revived in a pair of planned series for VH1, the cable network confirmed Friday.
The first show will chronicle the casting of the new show, in a reality-tv style. The second new Partridge show will be like the old Partridge show, except updated.
Like the Monkees before them, the Partridges were a made-for-TV band with real-world impact on the music scene. Their hits, featuring Cassidy on lead vocals and backings by Jones, included "I Think I Love You" and "I Woke Up in Love This Morning."
Specifics on the all-new Partridge series, including whether or not the infamous multi-color bus makes an appearance, are still to be determined, the Hollywood Reporter said. About the only thing for sure is that the Partridge comeback, engineered by Sony's TV division, is being primed for a 2004 premiere.
Phil Collins says he has lost a considerable amount of hearing in his left ear. The former Genesis drummer reports his viral infection has gotten so bad, he's been forced to trust his producers now more than ever.
"I've come to realize that maybe I'm not my own best producer," Collins said. "I have a hearing problem. My left ear is, about three years now, 60 percent gone. Viral infection, sudden deafness. Don't know what it is, but that's the way it is. It's not going to come back, probably. So I've been forced into using other pairs of ears."
Collins's music can currently be heard in the Disney film Brother Bear.
Speaking of Disney and the Monkees, Micky Dolenz, who played drums in the 1960s television pop group, joins the long-running Disney musical Aida on Broadway, Jan. 6, as Zoser, the villainous father of the show's young hero. The 58-year-old Dolenz has played the role in the musical's national tour.
Aida undergoes a major cast change next Tuesday when Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child takes over the title role from Toni Braxton. Williams will star in the musical through Jan. 25. Will Chase plays Egyptian captain Radames and Lisa Brescia is Amneris, an Egyptian princess and Aida's rival.
Aida, which has a score by Elton John and Tim Rice, opened at the Palace Theatre in March 2000.
