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 6 of 7)
76. MARIE OSMONDS IS THE BEST AND SO IS THERE FAMIY TO SO I VOTE FOR HER AND I LOVE ALL THE OSMONDS TO
Souzaphone1 at 2:57PM on Nov 27th 2007
77. I've enjoyed DwtS for the last few years, specially the beautiful female dancers and their costumes (grudgingly, some of the pro guys have been fun to watch, too). At the beginning, this year's edition didn't seem promising. But, after the likes of Newton and the boxer were kicked to the curb, and those with real potential emerged and progressed, it became fun, again. But, if Osmond (who should have gotten the boot weeks ago)wins, not even Edyta will bring me back. Marie is a loud, boorish and overbearing woman [like many Mormon women (or Texas women)] with mediocre talent (certainly,more than myself); but, a dancer of some calibre? No. Did I mention phoney (Romney, for one)? Why the sympathy for the recent events in her life (not that they aren't tragic)? Send her a card, but not a vote, which cheats the real talent. She needs to stick with the dolls. And, guess what folks, I am a Mormon (loud mouthed and boorish; et.al.).
moi at 3:16PM on Nov 27th 2007
78. I'm pretty offended by this story, especially considering who wrote it. I appreciate Mo's intelligence and sense of humor, so I would assume that like a lot of very intelligent people, he'd be open and tolerant of the beliefs of others.
I am not Mormon--but I am a former Mormon. Having been a member of the church and left it has given me a very broad perspective on waht it means to respect the beliefs of others. My beliefs weren't "weird" to me growing up, but I sure as hell couldn't figure out why everyone else couldn't "see the light" and join up with the Mormons.
What I'm getting at here is that anyone who studies religion from an objective standpoint will realize that no religion is really any more valid than the other. You might think one is, based on personal belief (say, if you're a Catholic--you'll definitely think your way is best)...but really, any position that states that some "higher being" created the Earth and all the people on it is just as improvable and "weird" as another interpretation. I'm not saying there isn't a God--I'm just saying that everyone is entitled to their beliefs...and really, no one's perspective is any weirder than another's.
So, with this story, I have no idea why Marie Osmond's religion would factor into how people would vote for a stupid show. This is dancing--not a popularity contest based upon people's misunderstandings or misconceptions of the LDS faith. Who cares if she's in a "weird" religion? Elton John is gay--but does that make "Tiny Dancer" any less great? Mo Rocca's got a lisp. Does that make him any less credible or funny?
The same argument should be brought forth about Mitt Romney. If you're voting for president--vote for someone's secular policies, not based on their religion. The same objections were brought against Kennedy for being a Catholic--but he was still elected president. The Mormons are no more "cultic" than the Catholics.
Stupid blog. Stupid.
Tiffiny Whitney
Tiffiny at 4:21PM on Nov 27th 2007
79. I can not believe that I wasted my time with this article. As a member of the LDS church I'd like to know what that has to do with her dancing? Why can't she be judged on that and not her religion? Are we going to judge others on their being Jewish? or Catholic? or Methodist? It's Dancing with the Stars not Dancing with the fill in your religion here Stars.
gina at 4:38PM on Nov 27th 2007
80. Marie is still in good standing in the LDS church. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints take their temple garments off for the four "S's:"
Sex
Sports
Showering
Swimming
I'm sure she put them back on sometime after the show. Latter-day Saint, Gladus Knight, also performs with out her temple garments on. There are appropriate time to take them off. This is definitely one of those times.
Marshall at 5:03PM on Nov 27th 2007
81. Ouch, Tiffany and Gina-
I was merely asking a question: if people would factor her religion into their votes. I'm a fan of Marie's. But anti-Mormon prejudice re: Mitt Romney has been in the news lately. I guess I was just wondering what, if any, role religion would play in people's DWTS vote.
Mo Rocca at 5:10PM on Nov 27th 2007
82. The Mormon garments are worn as a rememberance of the moral values we uphold. They are not worn during any strenuous activities, such as swimming, running, working out, etc. Steve Young did not wear his garments while playing for the 49ers. Sean Bradley did not wear his while playing for the NBA. Rulon Gardner did not wear his while he wrestled to win the Olympic title, Ty Detmer, Reno Mahe, Danny Ainge, Wally Joyner, Cory Snyder, Johnny Miller, Bruce Summerhays, Annie Thurman, Laura Berg, Wilford Brimley, Rick Schroeder, etc. etc. are all Mormons. Sooo...if Marie Osmond doesn't wear her garments while dancing on DWTS, it's okay, she is still in good standing with the church she believes in. She's encouraged not to while dancing. Thanks for your concern for her.
hiimchad at 5:39PM on Nov 27th 2007
83. I'll handle this Mo!
Tiffany,
In answer to your questions...
Question: Who cares if she's in a "weird" religion?
Answer: Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who do let religion affect their voting patterns. Mo used this blog as an exercise to see just how much of a role it plays.
Question: Elton John is gay--but does that make "Tiny Dancer" any less great?
Answer: YES! It completely changes the meaning of the song... and don't even get me started on "Rocket Man"!
Question: Mo Rocca's got a lisp. Does that make him any less credible or funny?
Answer: NO! It actually makes him funnier and more sincere, thus more credible. Although we already covered this extensively in a previous blog topic about Rudy Giuliani!
Any more questions?
FINN at 6:50PM on Nov 27th 2007
84. I do not think Marie is as good as a dancer as her 2 competives and don't think her mormon religion should be brought into this the winner should go to the best dancers that the judges pick.
AudrPe6 at 7:10PM on Nov 27th 2007
85. I think the winner should be pick from what the judges picked not any ones religion coming into it or any family tradedys aor home problems brought into it
A WOMAN FROM CLEARWATER at 7:08PM on Nov 27th 2007
86. I think Marie did well to get to the finals but I think the winner should be the ones the judges gave high scores to last night.
AudrPe6 at 7:13PM on Nov 27th 2007
87. Why does everyone always have to bring up the Mormon religion? You don't hear anyone saying a Catholic, Jewish, Protestant DWTS. Investigate the Mormon religion aka The Church Of Jsesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints before you criticize it.
Susan at 7:59PM on Nov 27th 2007
88. Susan,
Any religion that believes in Jsesus rather than Jesus should be open to criticism...
Not to mention the polygamy, false prophecy, distortion of historical facts, wearing funny underwear, Biblical plagarism, talking into hats & to gold plates, all of which are questionable Mormon practices that should be investigated...
But, who is this Jsesus?
Can he cure my diseases?
FINN at 8:19PM on Nov 27th 2007
89. Mo: You should be aware that, in addition to Marie Osmond, two of the dancing experts paired with celebrities are ALSO Mormons, and another one was doing this in previous seasons of the show. The brother and sister who have been dance partners have even been called the "Blonde Osmonds." Apolo Ohno lives and trains in Utah but is NOT a Mormon.
Thanks for acknowledging that Mormons accept Christ and the Book of Job. Indeed, Mormons don't think God is asking a rhetorical question when he asks Job out of the whirlwind where he was when God created the earth and "all the sons of God shouted for joy." The obvious answer is, "I was there among them. I am a son of God." This is a theme picked up by Paul and Peter and John, who said "Beloved, now are we the sons of God."
Raymond Swenson at 9:02PM on Nov 27th 2007
90. As a convert to the Mormon church, at age 22, and now a member of nearly 30 years, I would like to answer the question that someone asked about Marie and the clothes that she wore on the Donny and Marie Show and now, the clothes that she wore on DWTS. I would like to note that I am not an Osmond fan, but I like to take any chance I can to explain the Mormon church to someone who is being misinformed. First of all, Marie was not wearing the "garments" you referred to, when she was young and had her own show. These are reserved for members of the church in good standing. They are related to having attended the temple for either a marriage or a mission. She was too young for both back then. Members are allowed to not wear the "garment" when they are doing such things as participating in sports and/or performances where they must wear what is asked of them...e.g. a play, an ice show, etc...This is the reason that Marie was able to choose what dress she would wear for her "performance." She would not be judged negatively by any authority in the church. Her 2 divorces, temple or not, are also not related to your concern. If she is in good standing, and I'm 100 percent sure she is, then that's all that matters. Thank you for letting me explain.
Amy Johnson at 2:18AM on Nov 28th 2007