Okay, so I have been at war with myself over whether or not to write this post. But the part of me that cares about what people think has lost the battle. I am compelled to share something with the world wide web that is causing me to swallow my pride.
Put your hands in the air if you watched (and loved) The Osmond Family on Oprah last Friday.
I’m so ashamed.
I wanted to think that I was above Osmondmania. In fact, I almost deleted the entire show off my DVR. But the kind hand of television fate intervened, and since P had taken Caroline to the ranch for the whole day on Sunday and I had time on my hands, I decided to go ahead and watch the first few minutes just to see how The Osmonds were holding up.
Oh, pride goeth before a fall.
I have prided myself that I have been above watching Marie on “Dancing With The Stars”, even after hearing she passed out cold on national television. And, really, that’s just good T.V.
I have even scoffed at Marie selling her dolls on QVC because, really, the whole doll collection thing is just beyond my realm of comprehension.
Please don’t be offended if you collect dolls. That’s great. I’m just saying that they kind of creep me out. I’m not proud of the fact that I still have to remove all the dolls from the room I sleep in when I visit my Nanny. It’s just who I am.
I’m a big coward who is afraid of glass eyes that stare off into space and heads topped with unnaturally flipped hair with jaunty berets on top.
Anyway, The Osmonds. I’m fascinated. There were like over 632 of them on Oprah’s stage and not one of them has an immediate family of less than 26 children or something like that. And they all look alike. And they all have perpetual smiles.
And I am afraid I am going to be tempted to shell out big bucks to attend The Osmond Family Reunion Tour.
I know. I’m frightening even myself.
Oh, I pretend to be above it all, but I AM NOT. I am a weak vessel given to waves of 70’s nostalgia.
After all, Donny Osmond was really my first love.
I would spend Friday nights not more than 5 inches away from our huge console television because I believed Donny could see me watching him while I wore my purple socks. I felt connected to him because I understood his love of purple socks and I, too, believed I was a little bit rock-n-roll.
Sadly, this wouldn’t be the last time I would decide something was my favorite thing because it was also the favorite thing of the boy I liked. Hence, my great love of Dr. Pepper throughout my 7th and 8th grade years because of a guy named Kendall. I was sure our common bond of drinking Dr. Pepper would seal our joy for eternity. But then he moved out of town and I went back to drinking Coke, which at the time was Coke Classic because of a huge marketing blunder by the bigwigs at the Coca-Cola company.
Where was I?
Oh, Donny.
I remember being heartbroken when I found out that Donny couldn’t actually see me through the T.V. screen. I just knew if he could see me he would be immediately smitten with the six year old girl in her Snoopy nightgown, missing her front tooth, re-enacting the entire “Donny and Marie Show” with her Donny and Marie dolls complete with soundstage set.
And really, I can’t even get into how envious I was of my friend ZZ, who not only had a Donny and Marie lunchbox, but also a Donny and Marie 8-track player. I believe that’s when I learned firsthand what the Bible means when it says “Do not covet your neighbor’s donkey”…or their 8-track player.
But then, Donny and I grew apart. His show went off the air, he got married, and I was over him. It was a tough transition but, eventually, Rick Springfield came along and I forgot all about Donny.
I believe it was 1988 when he came back on the scene with “Soldier of Love”.
Anyone?
“Soldier of Love”?
Until now, I have never publicly admitted how much I liked that song, but I did. I may have even bought the cassette tape.
Oh, the shame.
So, when I Donny and Marie opened the Oprah show with a medley of songs that was reminiscent of The Sweeney Sisters, I was ready to point and laugh with disdain. I was prepared to roll my eyes and ask no one in particular, who cares about The Osmonds anymore?
But then, Donny began singing “Puppy Love” and either I had allergies or I might have had a tear in my eye over what we used to have.
I’ll never tell which one it was.
It’s so embarrassing isn’t it. and we won’t even comment on how I got sucked into watching “Dancing” and cannot live without it now. If I were being “grown-up” I could explain it all with some babble about wanting to return to the simpler days of our childhood, etc. but I think it’s more than that. It just feels good!
I’m so with you, sisiter.
Not only did I sit and watch it live, I DVR’d it. And shhhhhhhh! Don’t tell anyone. But, Marie’s biggest fan? Sittin’ right there next to me. We endured and entire of hour of eye rolling, snickers, snarky remarks (Idon’tknowheretheygetit) from the Peanut gallery.
And when the boys did their montage?
I was on my feet, singing every word.
Ok croaking every word.
And coughing.
But no major case of bronchitis could get me down.
(And the Peanut Gallery?- doomed to an afternoon of Donnay and Mari from Youtube and Rhapsody. Let’s call it homeschooling in cultural studies.)
Laugh at my Donny.
Ha!
and yeah baby …
Like a thief in the night, who can’t get enough,
I am willing to fight,
’cause I’m a soldier of love.
Like a shot in the dark when the going gets rough,
It’s a state of the heart
when you’re a soldier of love
I was off work on Friday and got to see it live….I was so excited…..and I wouldn’t tell just anyone that!!!! Loved every minute of it…..tears came to my eyes when the boys were all up there signing….oh how I remember….loved seeing the clips of the guys back in the day….I remember watching them when I thought those goofy outfits they were wearing were cool….they must be cool…the Osmonds are wearing them!!! Thanks for sharing….so good to know I am not the only one!!!
I was going to mention Soldier of Love! But then I got distracted over your friend’s name. Did someone really name their kid ZZ?
Okay, I have to admit. I SO watched it. I SO thought I would laugh and mock, as well. But…….I SO enjoyed it. What got into me?!
I came into the family room, I turned on the TV, and I watched it. I made no excuses. My kids laughed but I did not care. I rarely watch TV before 8 or 9 but I was ready for this one. It was worth it.
Anyone see Donny in Joseph? Now that was a performance to remember. My husband took me for my birthday, thinking he was sacrificing for me, and ended up a fan (at least of his Joseph performance).
I understand the obsession. http://stillhisgirl.blogspot.com/2007/10/mystery-solved.html
I wish I’d seen the show!!!
This is the first ever season I’ve watched dancing with the stars. Maybe it’s becuase there is just nothing else on or maybe it’s because I wanted to see if the older actresses could hold up. And now I’m obsessed with Marie Osmond. What is it with the Osmonds? I never cared for them before or even really knew anything about them. But I really want her to win. She’s enjoyable. And I feel weird about that 🙂
I can still remember the hoopla associated with 60 members of their family moving into my childhood town.
There may even be a family story of an Aunt peeping out her daughters window in hopes of peering her new neighbor!
Still love the Osmonds. Had a poster of Donny in my bedroom. But not anymore. It’s in the closet.
I’m a big fan. And I actually missed most of the Oprah show, but I did check out all of the details on Oprah’s site. OMG, Donny was a BIG crush of mine when I was growing up. The purple socks.
And I was thrilled when he made a comeback. Did Broadway. Wow, he is awesome. And then Marie shows up on DWTS. Donny is in the audience. And last night she danced while Donny watched her from the audience. He was crying! OMG, I am a doofus!
OH. MY. GOSH. I forgot all about “Soldier of Love” until you mentioned it AND NOW, iTUNES BETTER WELL HAVE IT!
So funny. I had the Donnie doll with the snazzy satin purple suit including purple socks. It was displayed prominently on my shelf in my bedroom, probably long past it should have been! I ALSO replaced him with Rick Springfield. I later wallpapered my room with every RS poster I could get my hands on from my good old Tiger Beat magazine. =)
I can’t believe I missed that Oprah!
Well JP’s mom (above) and I live in the same town with many of the Osmonds…Wanna visit? There about 7 or 8 of us that live here that read your blog, and we could show you a SERIOUSLY good time! (just check out my blog for our last girls’ night!) I have had the pleasure of seing them in concert, and actually speaking with a couple of them in person (gasp!) Not Donny though, for I would have probably swooned if it had been Donny! Actually, I think their pretty great too!
I admit I watched it. I am even ashamed to admit that I gave in and bought Marie’s Christmas CD! I loved Donny and Marie growing up. I had those same dolls and stage. I also had their microphones!
I totally had the Donny and Marie dolls in all of their pink and purple finery – loved them. And I’m pretty sure I taped “Soldier of Love” off of Kasey Kasem’s top 30 on Sunday nights and listened to it in my walkman. 🙂
Watched it, DVR’d it, and loved every minute of it. AND, I, too, had the Soldier of Love cassette. It’s hard not to love Donny b/c he still looks so dang young!! What’s up with that? Even his wife – who would believe they’re grandparents?
I may have to watch it again tonight.
If you haven’t already, you need to go to Oprah’s website and watch the after-the-show clips. I could go on and on……..
WHAT?! Did you say Rick Springfield? Because if you did, then we need to talk. There was not a blank space on my wall for many years due to all of the RS memorabilia. I kept Teen Beat, Tiger Beat and Seventeen in business for several years. I also liked the Osmonds but I have to tell you (and I’m not ashamed) that my heart still beats for Rick who by the way also loves the color purple. As for the Oprah show, did you notice how many of the men looked like Donny? Gave me the chills.
It is television crack. You know you should not watch it, like it or even admit going near the stuff. It is addictive.
You say to yourself, ” I will only watch a little . Just a few minutes to see how they look… Ok next commercial I am so turning this off… Marie looks good. She is goofy….. Is she high?? Donnie has aged well.. Look at all of those kids…”
Oh, yes I watched too! I grew up watching that show and styling Marie’s hair & putting purple & pink eye shadow on her toy head!
Loved Solider of Love! Remember everyone’s shock when they found out that was him singing the song! Because the marketing geniuses (which they were in this case) didn’t think people would like it if they knew it was Donny Osmond so, they said it was a mystery artist.
The show also solved a great mystery of why Marie hasn’t been voted off Dancing with Stars for my 12 year old. I had told her all along that she has 412 members in her family and of course she didn’t believe me until she saw the whole clan with her own two eyes! Nor could she quite believe that I was born in the 70’s with the horrible clothes that were worn. Maybe she’ll believe my story about having bell bottoms with ducks on them now. What were are parents thinking! It’s a wonder we learned to walk with those things!
And they called it Puppy Lu-u-uv…this is not a puppy love. The first song I ever danced with a sweaty boy with in 6th grade. I missed the O show, but there’s still a soft spot in my heart for Donny. Thanks for the walk down memory lane, and the embarrassment of caring about it. Too cute.
Oh I feel your pain! I loved Donny for years and was convinced we had a future together! I had his posters all over my room and I nearly murdered my brother when he took a pen and blacked out all his gorgeous teeth!
Isn’t it amazing how cute he still is!
I watched the Donny and Marie Show as well. I begged and begged my mom at one point for the Marie Osmond Barbie doll even. She was so pretty. But, I only had one real Barbie and then the Marie Barbie, and when I couldn’t convince my mom to buy me a Ken doll, I did what I had to do in the name of practicality and cut off the Marie Barbie’s hair to make her a “Donny” doll.
Because Barbie can’t be alone.
Oh, no, she can’t.
You crack me up. It made me laugh so hard that you thought he could see you in your purple socks!
I DVR’d it, and hesitated at that. But boy was I not to be disappointed, that was the best ever! Memories! You might want to rent/buy Joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat for you and Caroline to watch. Oh my girls both love to watch it with me! Thanks for the post – we are all “out of the closet” now.
I not only watched proudly and shed a few tears, I even blogged about it!! 🙂
http://wendysdarling.blogspot.com/2007/11/osmonds-and-our-soldiers.html
I have indeed watched Marie on “Dancing with the Stars” all season, and I have voted for her EVERY week. 🙂 I so wish I could go to one of the Reunion concerts. 🙂
Although I didn’t see the show and I wasn’t in love with Donny, I do have Soldier of Love in my collection… on CD… and on my iPod.
And Jesse’s Girl and Don’t Talk To Strangers.
If I can get Jack Wagner’s “All I Need” I’ll be all set…
Yeah baby!
I don’t really remember the songs so much as the dancing. My sister and I used to practice ALL.THE.TIME to RECORDS playing. You try to do a cool dance move with making the record skip. (she, of course, had the dolls, being a couple of years older than me – but I did get to play with them)
So for the first part of this post I was reading Osmonds but thinking Osbornes. Once I got that cleared up I remember watching that Oprah show too. By watching I mean it was on while I was doing housework and I sat down for bits of it. The Osmonds were before my time, I remember Soldier of Love but I was only 6 when he came out with that. My old boss said he was related to the Osmunds somehow, I think his mom was a cousin in the family, though I’m not sure how far removed from Donnie & Marie themselves.
No need to hide around here because I taped the Oprah show and watched it….over and over again. Loved it! I also love Dancing with the Stars and can’t get enough of that…..the Marie fainting episode I had on tape and watched it again and again. You know…for fun. Now you know why I call myself “The Freak”!
I must admit, I don’t share your obsession (though I did love their talk show).
However, (and I think you mentioned you and P doing this before), last night, Sean and I totally sat through a Time/Life Infomercial for their Soft Rock CDs…
Blessings,
Karla
Loved Oprah and the Osmonds! Had my best girlfriends over and we squealed and sang along and had the best time!!
I actually met Donny in 1983. I was working in radio at the time and he did a concert in a very small town in Texas. He was a bitter, bitter man because he was not having the success MJ was (remember Thriller?) I bet now he wouldn’t switch places for anything in the world!!
Oh, I had those Donny and Marie dolls and watched their show…thought Marie was just the prettiest girl ever and Donny…well, he was SO COOL! (And for some reason, Jimmy, the littlest Osmond, fascinated me. I can’t explain that one.)
Of course what would really get my fangirlishness on would be if some astute toy company would make a Clay Aiken doll… oh, the times he and I would have. 😉
I never was into the whole Donny and Marie, but when I saw you mention the Soldier of Love song, I had to comment I love love love that song!!! However I am also known as the person who bought the Milli Vannilli cd way after the whole controversy and still listen to them. I know they were singing those lyrics in their hearts!!!
Ugh. I used to have Donny Osmond posters all over my room and listen to his songs over and over while staring deeply into his eyes. The first concert that I ever went to was a Donny Osmond concert. How embarrassing to remember that.
ARe you EVEN kidding me? Of course I watched Donny on Oprah. I love those Osmonds (wish they werent Mormons though). I used to be in love with him too. Well, him and Sean Cassidy. My sister and I used to fight over who was going to marry Donny Osmond. He still looks pretty good considering his age. I have always been fascinated by that bunch and can you believe there are athousand of them now? And not only are there lots of them – they are all good-looking people! The teeth on that show would blind you ! Anyway, I dont care if people think I am a geek (or an old geek – I am only 35 sue me if I remember the Donny & Marie show). Dont know why but I cant get enough of those Osmonds!
OH HOW I LOVED THAT BOY!!!!! I had it all, the posters, the records, the lunchbox. I was smitten. Those were the days, weren’t they?!?!?!?!?!
Bits!
I can’t say I relate to the nostalgia over Donny and Marie, but I’m right there with you on the dolls. Dolls, especially a big group or display of them, really creep me out.
What’s not to love about someone who is beautiful, friendly, and sincerely funny??? Marie has many great qualities that I admire. She is not that good on Dancing, but I think it is awesome that she is doing it.
I saw Kendall last month, and he is still cute as ever and has a beautiful wife and 4 children. They are missionaries.
Yeah I loved my mother so much cause my middle name is Marie,…. just like Marie Osmond!
De-lurking to say that I wasn’t going to watch Oprah that day, but like a train wreck i couldn’t help myself. I loved D & M as a young child in the 70’s.
I wasn’t going to admit this but I found myself singing (in my head) all weekend: I’m a little bit country, he’s a little bit rock ‘n roll.
Unfortunately that is the ONLY part of the song that I remember so it was a long weekend!
Glad you posted. It helps the rest of us deal with our shame to know we are not alone! 😉
Donny . . . Sigh . . .
I owned the Donny doll and my sister had the Marie doll. And? Our mom sewed jogging suits for them to wear for Christmas one year!!! Donny’s was green, which clashed greatly with his only pair of socks. Marie’s was yellow. They were dashing, let me tell you.
Me too sister, me too.
Hysterical. I laughed so hard at the dolls…I can still feel that dress my Marie-doll wore! I loved the show! I’m with you on the dolls…a teeny bit creepy. Glass-eyed dolls and clowns are a no-no in this house!! Rock on, Donnie and Marie!!
How about Donny as Joseph in the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat? Those pecs. THAT’s what I’m talking about. I wonder in which landfill my D and M dolls reside…Grandma was right: I shoulda kept them.
I also need to add (sorry) that at the same time Eddie Murphy released a single. Remember “My girl likes to party all the time?” I believe that is why it wasn’t so shocking to hear Donnie w/ his ode to rock! (I’ll bet you can’t get the song out of your head now?)
OK, now you are completely responsible for me sitting here half the morning searching through YouTube until I found the entire show! (complete with the ‘after show’ acapella singing of Alan’s sons… Wooo Doggy!) And, I thought I was over Donny. Memories of purple socks and Friday nights in front of the TV came flooding back. How I loved those Osmond boys!!
Ahh, the memories. For me, it wasn’t Rick Springfield that took Donny’s place but Leif Garrett. Aren’t I thanking the good Lord above that dream didn’t come true!
I sooo watched every minute of that show! It was just pure fun. They do all look great. I have loved Marie on Dancing with the Stars. I was a huge fan of her “Paper Roses” tune way way way back when. Some things never leave us 🙂
My babysitter Chrissy let me stay up to watch the whole show since she knew I truly believed Donny was singing to me during his solos 🙂 She had a crush on him too! I admit to having the Soldier of Love single AND guessed it when the radio stations were playing it here locally and would not say who the mystery singer was! I went to see him when he played Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat- 3 times 🙂 He was fantastic! I admit I will watch Marie on QVC just to be entertained and love that she is on Dancing with the stars!! I felt a connection with her being the only girl in the family- since I was the lone girl among a mere 3 brothers 🙂
What the world needs now is a revival of the Donny and Marie show!!! Seriously!!
I too was so in love with Donny. My friend and I would always recreate the show the next day. I missed the Oprah show, but I confess that I do watch Marie every week on Dancing with the Stars!
This is the first time I commented on your blog – just been reading it for a few weeks now…You crack me up…
Btw, D&M will be on Larry King Live tomorrow night…But doubt they’ll be singing…
Who couldn’t love them???? Thanks for going back to the good old days with us.
OMG!!!!! You are SO funny and so right on the mark. I even got teary eyed right along with them talking about their daddy.
Didn’t they sound GREAT!!!!!! I laughed at myself watching it, going, “you are so into this…” I couldn’t help it, I just love Oprah! But that’s a whole other post 🙂
I used to love Donny and Marie. I had that soundstage set and the dolls of them, too. I am wondering if my mom still has them packed away somewhere. I need to check that out. I grew up not far from where they lived, and still live, I think, so they are the local celebrities around here. I even went to the studio where they taped their show; unfortunately, they weren’t there at the time, it was just an empty studio, but it was still cool. I got a t-shirt of them while I was there. I probably still have that stuck somewhere, too. I am a pack rat. I even still have some of their old albums (yes, albums) that I could pull out and listen to right now, if I wanted. It’s sad to say but I have no interest whatsoever in them now. I hear about them periodically on the news, because they are still big news around here, but I don’t watch them on TV or pay any attention to what they’re doing. But I do have good memories of them from when I was younger.
Oh my goodness, that is too funny! But only because I am so WITH you! I remember like it was yesterday – in fifth grade we had to write an essay titled, “My Hero.” Oh yes, it was Donny Osmond and the teacher read my essay out loud! I jumped up and ran to the bathroom to hide. Scarred for life, but I would still sit and listen to him sing!
I’m sorry to say that I missed the Oprah episode, but I’m laughing with you because we are getting ready to move in a couple of weeks and as I was determining which cassette tapes to keep and which to throw out, I happened upon “Soldier of Love” and I didn’t even hesitate–it’s a keeper!
i’m very creeped out about dolls that look real and then you think they might be real. Its just not right. CREEPY!
And, yes. Who didn’t love Donny Osmond, Rick Springfield, and Shawn Cassidy??!!
And while you were courting Donny, I was writing marriage proposals to David Cassidy and writing love notes from him to me (I’m sure he meant every word I wrote) on my one Partridge Family album.
I watched. I cried. Then I watched/cried *again*. And now? ‘Just cannot delete it.
And what about Oprah? [Miss-Oprah-Who-Hates-Surprises] She totally loved her doll. Could you believe her reaction?
Yes. I watched DWTS last night. First time.
I felt my ‘family’ needed me there for support.
Did it get any better then….
I’m a little bit country
And I’m a little bit rock ‘n roll
I’m a little bit of Memphis and Nashville
With a little bit of Motown in my soul
I don’t know if it’s good or bad
But I know I love it so
I’m a little bit country
And I’m a little bit rock ‘n roll
Those were the days – use to watch the Donny and Marie show every Friday night. I LIVED for Marie’s hair-dos and going through the usual hair envy issues I had whenever she (often) sported a new one. I fantasized about marrying Donny myself – and living in the Clampetts mansion. I wish I could say I was only 6 when all this was going on…..
P.S. Some of them will be on Larry King Live on the 14th – Donny, Marie and Merrill (I think) in LA and Jimmy and maybe two others in Branson, I believe.
G’on watch the dancing show! She’s pretty good and with all those Osmonds voting for her, she’s likely to win.
You know, Donny put his arm around me when I was 11. He was 13. My mother sneaked me into a concert, and we saw them rehearse. And then my mom was brazen enough to ask each of them to pose with me and my best friend. The only brother who didn’t pose with us was Jay. He wouldn’t come out from under his drums. I had that affect on men in those days.
Sigh.
I’d wait until the 12th of Never to see a reunion tour. And that’s a long long time.
Oh, Big Mama. . . I am an Osmond fan too. I had the Donny & Marie dolls and loved their show, even as young as Caroline. I thought they could shrink down and sing inside the speakers in the car radio! I still love the Osmonds. I have watched Marie on QVC for years, even though I don’t collect dolls. I just like to check in and see how she looks. Don’t you think Donny has aged well? I liked Soldier of Love and also his part on the Mulan movie. He has a great voice.
Good to know we have that in common!
Ahhh… Soldier of Love!
I’ll need a minute…
I’ve just read your last five or so posts all in one sitting. It’s as fun as eating a panful of brownies, but without any of the calories. So fun 🙂
I think by your comments you are definitely not alone. How could we not love the Osmonds? They are precious people! My husband and I watched together, and started talking about how each of us watched it as a family every week when we were kids. Granted my hubby and I are the same age, so we have such a similiar frame of reference for past pop culture things. We also have a couple song. How cheesy huh? It is “Love of My Life” by John Brickman, sung by none other than Donny Osmond. Look it up, down load it, and enjoy!
What I remember is how you wanted your hair cut and styled just like Marie’s. At the time, it was that Cleopatra style (with bangs I might add.) I hated the hairstyle even on Marie and tried to dissuade you but to no avail as I remember. Oh, well – so what else is new? LOL
I saw Donnie and Marie at the Houston rodeo one year. My cousin and I both bought Donnie and Marie glittery iron on transfers–you know the transfer only, not the T-shirt. That’s all I remember about the whole thing.
I watched it this morning on the DVR – I too thought about deleting it, but I am glad I did not. I was too young to remember Osmond craze but remember watching their family specials and a TV movie about their life. I always thought Jimmy was so cute.
I was impressed how amazing they still sound and they are such showmen (& woman)! I love Christmas music so I may pick up Marie’s new CD.
My husband is going to be so MAD at me but I am going to make him sit down and watch parts of the oprah show because I thought they sounded so GOOD! He He!
I watched it and LOVED every single minute of it. And yes, I totally thought about going to the reunion tour…and the fact that they are going to be on PBS in the spring. I think they are simply an amazing family and yes, they all look the same.
🙂 Susan
Sooooo… Donny Osmond and Rick Springfield, huh?
Hmmmm.
Donny Osmond. And Rick Springfield.
I’d say that you were my soul sister, except you missed my really big crush (and I’m not sayin’, cuz everyone liked the other one!).