I've been a Marie Osmond fan ever since she tottered onto stage on The Andy Williams Show at the age of three!
I love the above clip because:
A. I love quartets.
B. I love Andy Williams. (His recording of MacArthur Park is operatic.)
C. I love any song from The Music Man. In fact, in honor of the imminent Iowa Caucuses, I am listening to no other musical cast recordings for the next month.
As readers of this blog know, the original Osmond Brothers quartet - Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay - were discovered on a trip to Disneyland by Andy Williams' father. (This was a gentler time, long before people were dumping human remains at Disney theme parks.)
I'm not sure why Andy Williams' father was skulking around Disneyland alone in the middle of the day, but that's not my concern. (I don't work for Dateline.) Osmond Patriarch George had taken his boys to the park after the talent show they'd traveled from Provo to LA for had been canceled. The boys were sad and began singing their troubles away, while waiting in line for Small World. Old man Williams heard the boys and, breathless with excitement, called his son on a pay phone. Soon the boys' disappointment turned to triumph - and a dynasty was born!!
America fell in love with the family - and especially Donny and Marie. (Full disclosure: My favorite Osmond is Jimmy. He's the youngest singer to score a #1 on the UK singles chart, with Long-haired Lover From Liverpool. The Brits love the Osmonds.)
But it is Marie who has captured the country's imagination. From her teen country-pop sensation Paper Roses to her first divorce to her dynamite doll empire, we've sung, sulked and celebrated with Marie. Behind her wholesome image, of course, is a brilliant tactician: Turning down the role of Sandy in the film version of Grease seemed stupid to some. But red state America applauded Marie for citing moral differences with the film's message.
Now Marie has breathed life into Dancing with the Stars. DWTS was in danger of becoming kitsch. Its biggest problem is that it didn't have any message at all. (The secret of American Idol is that it's not about singing. It's about aspiration: unknowns becoming superstars. DWTS could never effectively ape AI since the competitors are already celebrities. Some claim the show is about redemption. But that's really the message of Celebrity Fit Club on VH1.)
During the course of this season, Marie's father died. Her son went to rehab. She collapsed on stage. She filed for divorce from her second husband. For Chrissakes, Marie has lived The Book of Job over the last three months. (Please note: Mormons acknowledge both Christ and Job.) And through it all Marie has described the show as a challenge that must be met, if only to keep her sane. Marie even quoted Ecclesiastes on Larry King Live: "a time to mourn and a time to dance." And so Marie has given the show a narrative. DWTS is now about perseverance. It's a hopeful message that resonates especially with women in their fifties - women who are viewed as virtually disposable by the culture.
And yet...
Marie's appeal has never been subjected to the ballot box like she will be after tonight's final dance-off. How much of a factor will her faith play? And what could this portend for Mormon Mitt Romney's White House run?
The Osmonds have never been shy about their Mormon faith. And a third of Americans are no less shy when they admit that they will not vote for a Mormon when they cast ballots for President.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)
1. I'll vote for Marie!
I still feel guilty for teasing my sister about her crush on Donny during those TigerBeat heydays, perhaps I can redeem myself.
ah,clem at 12:23PM on Nov 26th 2007
2. Religion isn't a factor for DWTS. Anyhow, the Mormon church has always given the Osmonds leeway with the rules, especially with her clothes because modesty is usually a major part of the Mormon life. Her dancing has shown the illusion of skin, but she has shown grit and determination. She's also not the only one touched with crisis during the show. Jane Seymore's mum died, and Jane left in an ambulance. Last year, Sara Evans divorced ended her performance on the show. And the co-host had a baby but returned quickly b/c Lachey is MUCH BETTER.
grit at 12:42PM on Nov 26th 2007
3. Oh, wow, Mo, "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool." I am ashamed to say I think I had the 45 record of that as a kid.
And, hey, what about Donna Summer's disco version of "MacArthur's Park?"
David S. at 12:53PM on Nov 26th 2007
4. i know that marie will win because of her talent and her wisdom and her strength to win.
lynn at 12:55PM on Nov 26th 2007
5. If I were Marie in that clip, i'd be laying my head on Andy's shoulder too. He was sooo dreamy back in the day. I remember listening to his jams when I was little when my mom would continuously play his records. And she still does.....
Butterfly is my favorite song.
Jacqueline at 1:04PM on Nov 26th 2007
6. Sorry for a repost, my first comment didn't fully show up.
If I were Marie in that clip, i'd be laying my head on Andy's shoulder too. He was sooo dreamy back in the day. I remember listening to his jams when I was little when my mom would continuously play his records. And she still does.....
Butterfly is my favorite song.
And now with Christmas a few weeks away, his Christmas tunes will be filling my house up any day now...
The Osmonds were such darling little kids. Granted they were way before my time, any girl alive thinks Donnie is a cutie.I like Marie, but I think lately she has been striking me odd. Maybe its just me. After the death of my father and my 16 year old little boy going into rehab, I couldnt be on the show. I wouldn't have any strength left. Burying your father is one of the hardest things to do I know, I did it when i was 14. And then sending your little boy into rehab at 16 years old within a day of each other?
Either there is something fishy about her underneath it all (Ever notice Donnie is at every single DWTS show???), or she is the strongest woman on the planet.
If it is the strength, then she is my absolute hero.
Either way kudos to her for making it that far on DWTS. She's doing great. And even more kudos to her for dancing and showing that us not 100% skinny women can still dance our asses off and look fantastic doing it. I think she is sending out a great message. I hope she wins it all, even though they kicked off my cheeta girl. :(
Ohhhhh Mo, if you are looking for any last minute Christmas gifts for me, how about a wonderful weekend trip to Andy Williams' Moon River Theater together. It would be sooo romantic ;) What a way to get into the Christmas spirit!!! *swoooooon*
Jacqueline at 1:07PM on Nov 26th 2007
7. Last years champion Julianne is a mormon....
bill at 1:08PM on Nov 26th 2007
8. Aw Mo,
I can't vote above because there is no category for simply judging her on her dancing skills.
All religions are challenged in making a serious case for themselves.
That said, I do think you have to factor in what she has overcome. I think that is at the very heart of any religion out there.
ah,clem: bop me on the head why don't you. I was a TigerBeat Donny fan. Here's my Fav:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwJoH0DUn8o
MO ROCCA: Could you please provide the AOL address for fans to request your 8X10 Glossy in the Dodd Post or here? There are only so many shopping days left until Christmas.
P.S., we have to discuss Job sometime. As you called attention to, "God is in the details."
A lot of the middle stuff get's lost.
Kimball/Rocca '08
John Giza at 1:12PM on Nov 26th 2007
9. I feel as if I grew up with the Osmonds, had the biggest crust on Donny....and Marie, well she too has lots of talent...I believe she can win this--and I do believe that her religon should have no any part in this--after all this is a "dance contest" - not a "religon contest"...Marie "good luck"....still an Osmond fan here.... :)
Connie at 1:14PM on Nov 26th 2007
10. J.G. and Jacqueline
you two cats have Donny and Marie Synergy!
ah,clem at 1:18PM on Nov 26th 2007
11. so... i have a new respect for u mo! i thought u might be mean & nasty to marie but u werent! & thank u so much for that!
i am voting for marie & so hope she wins tomorrow! it would be awesome if an older lady (im 24 so this doesnt apply to me!) would win to show american that she can do it just as well as the younger ones! yeah marie though for making it this far!
stephanie at 1:20PM on Nov 26th 2007
12. ah,clem,
Well, you realize, JQ's a "little bit Country" and I'm a "little bit Rock and Roll."
JG
P.S.: I'm so in the mood for Christmas.
John Giza at 1:31PM on Nov 26th 2007
13. I was an Osmond fan during the Osmania period and that still holds warm memories for me. I actually won one of those "Meet The Osmonds" contests, and I will always love them for the kindness they showed to a nervous kid. I have seen and spoken with Donny a few times recently, and I'm still impressed with his talent and personality.
What I have been wondering about is this: How is Marie managing to wear those low-cut and sleeveless outfits? On the Donny & Marie show she never wore anything that didn't cover the Mormon "garment" (aka the magic underwear). With the dance costumes there is NO way that she could wear the garment underneath. Does this mean that she is no longer a Mormon in good standing? Did that happen because of her divorce? She got a temple divorce the first time, so she was OK in the eyes of the LDS church, but this time it's a civil divorce.
The LDS church is way too weird for me, but I'm really curious about Marie's standing.
Tatiana at 1:52PM on Nov 26th 2007
14. Since were the Donnie & Marie.....
JG, if it helps any, I have really nice Marie teeth.
I hope you got yourself a nice grill, too.
If so, were gonna be a big deal!
Jacqueline at 2:01PM on Nov 26th 2007
15. I FEEL IN MY HEART THAT AFTER EVERYTHING MARIE HAS GONE THRU SHE NEEDS THIS AND I HOPE THEY WIN THIS TOO! ALWAYS,MARVELSGIRL
DEBRA EDWARDS at 2:20PM on Nov 26th 2007