Shaun Partridge (“hatched” c. 1968) aka The Partridge in the Pear Tree is a writer, visual & recording artist, prankster, and co-founder of The Partridge Family Temple (aka “PFT!”). PFT! was created in 1988 as a bonafide religion devoted to the philosophy of absolute 24/7 fun (“Fun is the Law”). In short, the religion is based on the concept that the characters of the original The Partridge Family TV show are not mere fictional personae, but in fact are human incarnations of ancient archetypal deities (Danny represents Loki the trickster god, Shirley is the virgin mother/“Earth Goddess”, Laurie is the Holy Whore of Babylon, Tracy is the virgin nymph, Keith is the saytr-like god of war and sex, etc.), and television itself represents the almighty Yahweh.
Other notable lifelong PFT! worshipers and devotees include Whale Song Partridge, Reverend Dan “Point me in the Direction of Albequerque” Partridge, K is for Kaleidoscope Partridge, 7Up Partridge, Boyd Partridge, Giddle “C’mon Get Happy” Partridge, and the late Lorin Partridge. Shaun holds the belief that EVERYONE is a defacto member of PFT! even if they aren’t yet aware of it (making them/us the largest and most widespread organized religion in the world).
In 2004, Shaun co-founded an alchemical art movement known as UNPOP ART which defined itself as “The application of pop aesthetics, stylings, or techniques to unpopular, unpleasant, repressed or otherwise censored ideas.” According to writer Brian M. Clark, “UNPOP ART juxtaposed the explicitly profane and overtly offensive with the fun, whimsical and lighthearted. Attempting to render racism, sexism, intolerance, disability, disease, rape, genocide, suicide, terrorism, hatred and war ‘fun,’ UNPOP ART (predictably) received little welcome from either the art world or the countercultural underground.”
On this episode of THE EXILE HOUR, we sit down with Shaun to discuss various topics including the miracle of McDonald’s, Walt Disney, jazz, mysticism, Anne Frank Yoga, Downs Syndrome hipsters, pranks, brown goblins, Britney Spears, reading Donald Trump tweets while under the influence of psychedelics, and of course all things Partridge. Chocolate bar, and there you are!
This episode is respectfully dedicated to Partridge Family creator Bernard Slade, who sadly "went to Albuquerque" this past Devil's Night at the age of 89.
