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 2 of 7)
16. JQ,
I've got a Weber.
But can you sing?
Mo, BTW, "The Proud One" was written by Bob Gaudio, the writer for Franki Valli & the Four Seasons.
Small world.
When do we notify the show "Missing" regarding FINN?
Mo, are you trying to make another one of those connections between who wins DWTS and who wins the Republican Nomination?
Okay Folks, the challenge is on:
WHO CAN BE THE FIRST TO CONNECT LIZ TAYLOR
with either Marie Osmond or Mitt Romney?
Winner gets...a photo of Mo as soon as he posts the 75 Rock address!
Kimball/Rocca '08
John Giza at 2:28PM on Nov 26th 2007
17. I don't know why religion has anything to do with it but I cannot believe Marie is in the finals. She's cute and she has charisma but she is not a dancer people! That routine in the cowgirl outfit was so embarrassing to watch! Her open-legged- drop-to-the-ground-whatever-that-thing-was...Gawd! Marie has had maybe one or two decent showings but otherwise she's pretty cloddy. The only thing that makes sense is that she is racking up the sympathy and nostalgia votes. Period. If she wins I won't waste my energy watching another season.
Lori at 4:15PM on Nov 26th 2007
18. "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."
It's probably just a performance thing. Mormons don't always wear the garment 24/7. We often remove them for some activities...I call them the 4 Ss (Sports, Swimming, Shower, & Sex). Those would be some examples of activities where we wouldn't necessarily wear the garment. She might think of her dancing as a sport type activity. It's really up to the individual...there aren't any "Garment Police":)
PaulW at 3:01PM on Nov 26th 2007
19. I thought that was the whole point of the show, entertainment stars who have no real dancing skills competing with each other?
Jacqueline at 3:00PM on Nov 26th 2007
20. I find Marie to be very entertaining BUT she is not as skilled as the other two dancers.
Be honest and fair.
The lovely Brit is sharp, determined (as is Marie) and brilliant to watch.
Helio is incredibly fit and strong and demonstrates the abiity to forge ahead under incredible pressure; a pressure shared by all however he is not an in-your-face performer.
Marie looks amazing these days and she will likely find herself much more fit in every way. Her family obviously gives her strength for the battle but she is not on par with the others.
Personality? Yes. All three have amazing personaity.
I supose that the Mormons may put her over the top and it is going to be sad if that happens.
Remember, these floks are to be voted for or agains based on their technique and skill. If we look at this with honesty, Marie is a sound third. I find Helio to be such a strong dancer in every sense of the word as is Scary Spice... so very sweet and endearing.
Honesty and truth counts. Stacked up against the others, Marie should bow down and let it be a fair fight. The populaton is voting and there are millions of Mormons out here. They are voting with their faith and not based on skill. I am certain. I am among them in SLC, Utah. I hear it in my Ward.
Best of luck to all dancers.
roni at 3:03PM on Nov 26th 2007
21. wait a minute... it slipped my mind that marie is a mormon.. and so are the blondie brother and sister pro dancers !! it used to be that the mormons would come to your door so you could slam it in their faces, but now they are infiltrating our dance contest shows ?!? insidious but pure genius !
el polacko at 3:11PM on Nov 26th 2007
22. Right On JQ:
It is not about WHO is the best dancer.
It is about WHO BECOMES the best dancer.
There is a subtle difference.
Kimball/Rocca '08
Campaign Headquarters
AOL, 75 Rock, NY, NY,
Attn: C. Bateman (aka, the Wasp.)
Don't forget to include your evidence of good will along with your request for an 8X10 Glossy of Mo.
Andrea, you already hold lifetime membership for your work in healthcare.
"Happy Holidays" he sings.
John Giza at 3:21PM on Nov 26th 2007
23. Mo, could you please tell me what star Marie Osmond will dancing with on Dancing With The Stars? Mormon Recruiter , Bring Em Young ?\\\\\\\\\\\\sorry , couldn't help myself///////////
Timo at 3:27PM on Nov 26th 2007
24. Exactly JG, thats the whole point of the show. Mark Cuban (shout out Pittsburgh native!) Heather (Pig) Mills, Marie O, Mario Lopez, nobody has a past in dancing. Thats the fun of it. Even Skating with the Stars was fun for that reason. They bust their butts to learn the dances and prove that they can do it, all in fun. Out of all the stupid sickening reality shows out there now, this one is actually entertaining.
Dance your ass off Marie!
Just don't pass out...
Mo, you got me on an Andy Williams/Osmond kick now. I've been YouTubing Andy all morning, now I am just starting on the Osmond Brothers.
GOD they were adorable kids!!! Their best video was singing Side By Side in Disneyworld. I only wish I could find the video of little Donnie singing Goodnight Sweetheart when he was a tiny kid. It was soooooo darling. I think it was an Andy Williams show. Anyone remember?
Jacqueline at 3:36PM on Nov 26th 2007
25. Timo,
180 is not Wikipedia.
Although Mo could be considered an Almanaciac.
And what's up with all the typographical theatrics??????????????????????????????????????????
It eludes me.
Here's a riddle: What rhymes with "Argentina"
but can't be found without a spectroscope?
Kimball/Rocca '08
John Giza at 3:43PM on Nov 26th 2007
26. Is Dancing With the Stars: 1) A dancing/talent contest? or 2) A popularity contest?
If Dancing with the Stars is a dancing/talent contest then the best dancers should win and that would be either Melanie Brown & Mak or Helio & Julianne.
If Dancing With the Stars is a popularity contest, then Marie Osmond will win and the show is not really about talented dancers and dancing skill and ability. Credibility gone.
Of course if Marie wins as the middleaged drama queen, then this is about the fans voting in who they like and not about objectivity as to who is the best dancer.
The truth is Marie does not exhibit the same amount of flexibility, skills and abilities as the other dancers and it shows.
Gop lies at 3:55PM on Nov 26th 2007
27. Why hasn't the religion of every other DWTS contestant been disclosed? The same for the details of their personal lives? For example, would anyone dare ask if X should be win because they were Jewish or not living kosher? There would be ten tons of hell raised if someone raised that as an issue. Marie Osmond should win or lose based on merit and her religion shouldn't be a factor. Apparently her religion is providing her with a lot of strength to get through her adversities this month. The thing I see about her faith that would make it prone to attack by other religions, is that their clergy is volunteer and that is a very threatening concept to money grubbing preachers everywhere. I think this is the #1 reason why they try to make this faith out to be something that it is not.
R S at 3:58PM on Nov 26th 2007
28. R S:
Aside from "Jewish" being the first alternative religion you grasped for, I find your comment quite illuminating.
Although you appear to object to the blog post, I think your comment exemplifies exactly what it was trying to say.
But beatific visions are like dreams; once you wake up, you forget them.
That's why we have music and the arts. To remind us.
Kimball/Rocca
I'm done preaching for the day. I have work to do. Back later with my SMART@$$ on.
John Giza at 4:13PM on Nov 26th 2007
29. Separation of church and dancefloor!!! Let's remember our founding fathers and the principles on which they founded the country.
If any candidate makes reference to their faith (whatever it is) in regard to their campaign, that is an automatic demerit in my eyes.
But whereas religion can have everything to do with dancing (think Whirling Dervishes, for one), it should have nothing to do with American politics.
mo-NEEK-a at 4:45PM on Nov 26th 2007
30. Paul, thanks for the info about the garment. I remember when they were doing the D&M show, Marie always wore dresses with sleeves, nothing low-cut, but maybe this is considered a special circumstance.
Perhaps you can answer my question about her divorce. Doesn't a Mormon who gets a civil divorce lose their standing? I know that when my cousin married a Mormon girl, her family wouldn't even speak to her for nearly a year. It's amazing what a grandchild can do in a situation like that!
Tatiana at 4:52PM on Nov 26th 2007