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 3 of 7)
31. Well .......>>>>>>>> JoHn GiZa
Timo at 4:47PM on Nov 26th 2007
32. Wow! I never knew that Marie Osmond was offered the role of Sandy in Grease, before Olivia Newton-John! Marie and John Travolta would have made a stunning on-screen couple! (Not to take anything away from Olivia, of course, I love Olivia's performance.)
How sweet of you to honor Marie Osmond. She really has been through tough times and she has carried herself with grace and dignity. (Even on the dance floor!)
giftedgirl at 5:07PM on Nov 26th 2007
33. giftedgirl,
As always, you are spot on.
I've never been a fan of the "sympathy vote," but Marie is not seeking that at all.
She has nothing material to gain by winning, nothing that could console her life's situation.
It seems to me she is experiencing a bit of catharsis, which should not be unfamiliar to any of us here at 180.
I say: GO MARIE!
Kimball/Rocca '08
John Giza at 5:54PM on Nov 26th 2007
34. why does religion have any effect on a dancing show? MO you are stupid. Way fan the flames of mistrust and bigotry. What's your next article going to be on? Ia america ready for a white dance contest winner? What a dork.
whiterquik at 6:00PM on Nov 26th 2007
35. Mo, is Dancing With The Stars the same as MoJo Boogie?
Timo at 6:00PM on Nov 26th 2007
36. Off Topic:
There up to it again!!! Larry flint was right, he dropped a bomb with this one.
http://perezhilton.com/?p=9452
How many Republican senators does that run the tally up to this year? 5?
Mo, you are in charge of the casting for this movie. Make it happen!
Jacqueline at 6:00PM on Nov 26th 2007
37. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DANCING WITH THE STARS, IT HAS TO DO WITH LARRY KING ANNOUNCING ON NATIONAL TV THAT MARIE'S SON WAS IN REHAB. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER CHOICE WHETHER TO TELL THE WORLD. WHEN HE SAID I HEARD IT. MY GOSH, I HAVE HEARD REALLY BAD THINGS ABOUT HIM BUT STILL WATCH HIM EVERY NIGHT. DON'T KNOW IF I EVER WILL AGAIN OR NOT. LOST ALL RESPECT FOR HIM. IT WAS RUDE AND HURTFUL TO MARIE...
bJ REED at 6:38PM on Nov 26th 2007
38. I have watched the Osmonds since they started probably- has bene long time- O love it when Marie and her brother Donnie had aTV show- she was a little bit country -He was little bit rock and roll -I wish Dancing with the stars would have them bot on to sing that songh once again-and all og you dowing their faith- you appearently do not read your Bible of know much of Gods commandments- He tells us =- Judge ,lest yea be judged- One day we all will stand before our maker -the living and the day and all will be judged-We are all God's children -Let you light shine for our Saviour, not Judge His children - in Christ
June Zimmerman at 6:27PM on Nov 26th 2007
39. As the nation faces another media misguided Presidential election, our very species is threatened by global warming as global capitalists profit from both war and oil, and we have an ongoing civil drug war with casualties in the millions, it's nice to see journalists like you Mo, keeping us focused on what matters in this troubled world of ours. Keep up the good work! If an advanced alien species was looking on from the outside, they'd surely be picking out someone like you and say, "Look, there's a guy who's trying." - Dr. Kenneth J. Hildebrandt - http://majormediabypass.com
Dr. Kenneth J. Hildebrandt at 6:29PM on Nov 26th 2007
40. Mo of da topic, doodley doodley doddly doo doo da da doo doo doo doo da da daaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA TANK YOU BERRY MUCH
Timo at 6:52PM on Nov 26th 2007
41. I'm right here! Please don't report me to "Missing"!
Remember JG, just say my name and I will appear! I'm a genie in a bottle, but unlike Christina Aguilera, you can rub me any way you want and I will respond.
Now, on to topic:
I'm not sure what to make of all of this...
So, first let's start with the obvious! Marie Osmond has an unfair advantage in a competition such as this, having already danced her way into America's hearts 30 years ago with song & dance numbers such as Chatanooga Choo Choo...
http://www.zippyvideos.com/4453062956902046/chatanoogachoochoo_donnymarieosmond/
And here's another video of Marie which shows not only her dancing talents and glowing stage presence, but also her tendency for going from man to man, husband to husband:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WCD4HLZERk
In conclusion, I'm voting for Marie, even though I think her religion is weird... and her relationship with her brother is weird!
Donny has always been there to rescue his little fair-skinned sister from any trouble! Whether it be on Larry King Live or in a Haunted House...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWdGo2cqEjk
They really are great together!
However, since they can't legally marry each other, perhaps they should just run for office together...
Donny/Marie '08
"Take a chance on me!"
FINN at 6:56PM on Nov 26th 2007
42. Awwww Finn!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuB8xWeA59I
Enjoy!
Jacqueline at 7:06PM on Nov 26th 2007
43. Babe, you're hilarious!
My first comment embarrassed me because I gave props to Olivia Newton-John too. I thought it would disrespect Marie in some way. (Silly, I know!)
But I see you posted my original comment anyway. It is more authentic and "in the moment".
Although, I went through the trouble of retyping a second comment, I respect your decision. (It's your blog. You can do whatever the hell you want!)
Peas
giftedgirl at 7:17PM on Nov 26th 2007
44. Yes, Jacqueline! I did enjoy it!!
That is by far the best video of you, me, John Giza, and Andrea out there! Known collectively as FJJA!
And this is how it feels when one of us goes missing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKDdaVRNGwE
FJJA
"Donny and Who?"
P.S. - Hey, maybe we should file that "Missing Blogger" report for Andrea instead! Giza??
FINN at 7:25PM on Nov 26th 2007
45. Finn,
I noticed John Giza bears a striking resemblance to ABBA's Björn Ulvæus. (Probably the 70's hair and odd stare on the faces)
So in celebration, I made this:
http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/3505352
Go Steelers!
Jacqueline at 7:45PM on Nov 26th 2007