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I thought I'd combine several articles about the special here.
From - November 25, 1968
The Abilene Reporter-News
Abilene, Texas
A singing family named Cowsill - six kids and their mother - were the stars of the second special. The show was crowded into 30 minutes, and that isn't long enough to get into and out of a variety show. The program, apparently designed as a pilot program for a series, tried to project a warm family image, some mild comedy, do a lot of singing and leave time for a guest star, Buddy Edsen.
The family seemed at ease and was most effective when doing musical numbers. They got into difficulty when they were engaged in stilted and obviously memorized dialogue. Ebsen did a soft-show routine with the youngest Cowsill, Susan 9.
From - November 23, 1968
The Abilene Reporter-News
Abilene, Texas
Somebody at NBC made the decision to give The Cowsills their own special and also decided that A Family Thing should be only a half-hour. He should be congratulated. This is a packed 30-minutes, leaving one with a good feeling, unlike many of the hour specials that wear quite thin around the 45-minute mark. The Beverly Hillbillies' Buddy Ebsen hosts the show and does a little song - and - dance routine of his own. The setting is the home of the Cowsills with Mother Barbara and father-founder Bud being introduced along with their six singing offspring. A highlight is Buddy's number done with 9-year-old Susan to "That Old Soft Shoe." There is one missing Cowsill, 20-year-old Dick serving in the army. 7:30-8 (NBC)
From - October 30, 1968
The Bridgeport Post
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Cowsills Head Own Special Nov. 23 by Fred H. Russell
The musical Cowsills - Barbara Cowsill and six of the singing youngsters - star in "A Family Thing," half hour musical special on Channel 4 Saturday night, Nov. 23, at 8:30 o'clock. The special will preempt "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," on that date.
Buddy Ebsen guest - stars on the show, introducing the family in a home setting, chatting with father-founder Bud Cowsill and joining the youngest of the clan, 9-year-old Susan Cowsill, in a song-and-dance rendition of "The Old Soft Shoe."
Also starring are the rest of the musical Cowsills: Bill, 20; Bob, 18; Paul, 17; Barry, 14; and Johnny, 12. (All ages are the Nov. 23 airdate). The only member of the family not seen on the show is Bob's twin brother, Dick, who is in the Army.
Musical highlights include "What the World Needs now," "Consider Yourself," "A Doodlin' Song," and one of the family's best-selling records "We Can Fly."
The Cowsills sing and play "Indian Lake" while Barbara, who admits she was "drafter," weighs the pros and cons of being a performing mother instead of staying home with the ironing.
From - September 29, 1968
The Fresno Bee Republican
Fresno, California
Cowsills Will Be Featured in Special On NBC
NEW YORK - The Cowsills, the celebrated, popular singing family will star in their own special on NBC television network Saturday, Nov. 12, 8:30 to 9 p.m., preempting "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir."
The Cowsills will sing songs from their large repertoire of hit tunes and folk ballads.
Greg Garrison, who produces and directs NBC-TV's "The Dean Martin Show," is the executive producer. Jonathon Lucas is the director.
Less than a year ago, The Cowsills were little know outside of their hometown - Newport, R.I. They were discovered by Leonard Stogel, their current manager, and made their network television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, Oct. 2, 1967.
Last February, the clan was featured in a two-hour "special" on the NBC-TV's "Today" show. Since then they have toured the world, recorded several best-selling albums, including their latest, "Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools."
Bud Cowsill, a 20-year Navy man now retired, organized the group which features his wife and six of their seven children. The on stage Cowsills consist of Bill, 20; Bob, 18; Paul, 16; Barry, 13; Johnny, 11; Susie, 8, and their mother Barbara. Dick, who is Bob's twin, the singers' former road manager, now is in the Army.
From - November 17, 1968
The Fresno Bee Republican
Fresno, California
TUNEFUL BATH - Three of the singing Cowsill Family, Susan, Barry (center) and john break into song as they bath the family dog, Fuzz, in a scene from "A Family Thing," a half hour special featuring the Cowsills, Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on KMJ-TV, 24.
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From - November 25, 1968
Newport Daily News
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport's 'Cowsills' Star In Their First TV Special
The Cowsills of Newport, popular singing group now becoming a nation-wide favorite starred in its first half-hour musical TV special Saturday night, when NBC presented "A Family Thing."
Buddy Edsen guest starred, introducing the family in a home setting, chatting with father-founder Bud Cowsill and joining the youngest of the clan, nine-year-old Susan, in a song-and-dance version of "The Old Soft Shoe."
Also appearing in the family were Bill, 20; Bob, 18; Paul, 17; Barry, 14; and Johnny, 12; and their mother, Barbara Cowsill. The only member not on hand was Bob's twin brother, Dick, who is in the Army.
On the program were "What the World Needs now," "Consider Yourself," "A Doodlin' Song," and one of the family's best-selling records "We Can Fly." They sang and played "Indian Lake" while Barbara, who admits she was "drafter," weighs the pros and cons of being a performing mother.
Barry, John and Susan were the trio for "Happiness," and the five boys were heard in a barbershop medley, including "Sweet Adeline," "You Are My Sunshine," "Zip a Doo Doo Dah." "Rockabye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody." and a novelty number "Leonard Nimoy" to the tune of "Frere Jauques."
The Cowsills in one year have risen from local popularity to national acclaim as one of the courtry's leading singing and recording groups. They will be seen again on the NBC network in another special, "The Wonderful World of Pzazz," for which they are writing an original number "The Pzazz Song."
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