By BRIAN THOMPSON
They’re back, only this time without the butterfly collars and the polyester bell bottoms.
After a 20-year hiatus from television, Donny and Marie Osmond will once again be gracing America’s living rooms with their talents for small talk and music in their upcoming syndicated show, “Donny and Marie.”
Originally from Provo, the brother-sister duo first reached celebrity status with their hour-long variety show which aired from 1976-79.
TriStar president, Barry Thurston is optimistic.
“This is a show unlike anything else on television right now. Donny and Marie are a proven team whose chemistry, warmth and showmanship is unparalleled,” he said.
It was Donny and Marie’s showmanship that has stuck in people’s memory over the years.
“It was appealing to hear them sing,” said Ben Wariner, a senior from Salt Lake City majoring in music.
Although he was only seven years old at the time, Wariner remembers “a lot of singing and the cheesy sets and costumes.”
From the time the show was canceled 20 years ago, both Donny and Marie have been busy overcoming their image as ’70s icons. Marie made her Broadway debut in December 1997 where she performed in “The King and I.” She has also released several country music CD’s and has a successful line of porcelain dolls which she sells through the shopping network, QVC.
In addition to racing cars, Donny has also released several albums, including the late ’80s hit “Soldier of Love.” He recently completed a five-year tour playing the lead role in Andrew Lloyd-Weber’s successful musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and can currently be heard as the singing voice of Captain Li Shang in Disney’s “Mulan.”
According to TV Guide, the new “Donny and Marie” will be a celebrity talk show, stacking up against some tough competition. Locally it will air opposite “Ricki Lake” and “Leeza” which rank as no. 4 and no. 7 respectively among daytime talk shows.
One advantage for Donny and Marie, who are members of the LDS Church, may be a large LDS viewing audience. Wariner said although he knew the Osmonds were LDS, he didn’t understand the significance of the old show.
“I’ll check it out just to see,” he said. “I’m not a huge Osmond fan, but it will probably be good family entertainment.”
The new “Donny and Marie” will appear daily, beginning today at 11 a.m. on Fox Channel 13.
