January, 2000
With Mo Rocca and Jon Stewart

Mo:
This past weekend saw two blockbuster made for TV movies that not only entertain, but also served as powerful educational tools for our children. I'm speaking of course of NBC's Mary, Mother of Jesus, and ABC's Come On' Get Happy : The Partridge Family Story. 

Jon:
Mo, how does the Partridge Family Story stack up to Jesus?

Mo:
You'd be surprised, Jon. Both Jesus and Keith Partridge offered mankind a special calling. 

(Jesus Movie)
I have come here not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(Keith Movie)
I mean I can sing, and play the guitar. Hendrix, Clapton...

Mo:
But each had its detractors...

(Jesus Movie)
(someone yelling "blasphemy!")

(Keith Movie)
(someone saying "You sure about this Cassidy kid?")

Mo:
And his supporters!

(Jesus Movie)
(someone exclaiming "he is the messiah!")

(Keith Movie)
(someone saying "He is our answer to Bobby Sherman.")

Jon:
It feels to me Mo that the comparisons are very subtle.

Mo:
Idon'tthinkso,Jon. Yes, Jesus heals, one more guy can walk, that's great, but Keith? Keith entertains. 

(plays a clip of the movie where the Partridge Family sings "I Woke Up In Love This Morning")

The Gospel According To Keith!

Jon:
Aren't you trivializing the miracles of Jesus with this?

Mo:
Am I? Just look at the effects each of them had on ordinary people. First Jesus!

(Jesus Movie)
shows a clip of a woman saying "Praise You" to Jesus.

Mo:
And now....Keith...

(Keith Movie)
(shows a clip of girls in the audience screaming for Keith.)

Mo:
Clearly you compare him with Mr. Partridge, Mr. Christ just doesn't match up!

Jon:
What about the mothers? You can't possibly compare Shirley Partridge to The Virgin Mary. That's just...

Mo:
Well, the Virgin Mary did say this to sum up her son's life:

(Jesus Movie)
(this was a hard to understand clip because the background noise in the clip was really really loud, I got "...so teach the people" from the clip)

Mo:
But Shirley Partridge offered the real words of inspiration...

(Keith Movie)
Here's to everyone having a packaged family in your life...

Jon: (tearing up)
I never thought of it that way before...





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