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She was a bit state. He was a little bit rock and roll. Collectively, they were being a complete lot of absurd. And somehow, in the magic of more than-the-leading musical figures, phenomenal guest stars, and painfully kitschy performing expertise, Donny and Marie Osmond captured the eye and hearts of your complete country. Although The Donny and Marie Present in the late seventies only lasted A few seasons, their outrageous key-time antics have manufactured a lasting impact on Television viewers of any technology.
The Donny & Marie Demonstrate was designed by SId and Marty Krofft, the famed creators of other such offbeat tv programs as H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Shed. It aired from January 1976 to Might add website in my directory 1979 like a weekly on ABC and featured this kind of famed guest stars as Redd Fox, Lucile Ball, Betty White, Jerry Lewis, and Milton Berle. The format typically consisted of the elaborate opening act followed by a series of comedy sketches and an far more elaborate closing musical range. But for the many campy scripts and synchronized dance routines, the real stars from the Donny & Marie Present ended up, undoubtedly, the costumes.
The 1977 Christmas special episode is a good example of Donny and Marie’s capacity to stability cutesy-poo costumes on that slender line concerning cute and nauseating. Donny stored it easy; dressing in the matching white knit sweater and slacks combo using a pink, white and green striped scarf, he wasn’t afraid to mention to the earth, “Hello! I’m Donny Osmond! I style like spearmint!” Marie made bolder decisions in her Winter season finest with what looks to be a one particular-piece human body suit but, upon closer inspection, seems to generally be a sweater and extend trousers that are merely a little bit various shades of eco-friendly. What will make this episode so memorable costume-sensible is The point that the entire Osmond household was showcased –Mom, Father, the compact Military of 20-8 which is the remainder of their instant family members– and so they all match. I’m unsure who was in control of coordinating outfits for that episode, but my hat unquestionably is off.
One more appealing costume extravaganza was the episode by which Marie celebrated her 18th birthday. During this episode, Marie and Donny sing their acquainted weekly selection, “I’m A bit Place, I’m A bit Rock-and-Roll”, but this time — gasp! — they switch lyrics! That’s correct! And what kind of dramatic change functions would it not be without the need of ridiculous costumes. The two Donny and Marie sport matching silver outfits. Donny has a faux-western concept taking place, although Marie looks like she just bought back again from touring with David Bowie. Marie also has a massive new hairdo or, as Donny refers to it, a “hair don’t.”
Donny and Marie didn’t end at matching scarves and silver jumpsuits, however. In one episode, Donny portrays a superhero character generally known as Captain Purple, sporting an outsized purple muscle accommodate and wig and, as his gentle-mannered change-ego, a flannel accommodate. Not to be outdone, Marie suits up herself as Gnidder Neleh (Helen Redding spelled backward) within an equally campy crimson-orange mini-skirt and wig.
Star Wars remaining the cultural phenomenon that it absolutely was, it only produced perception that Donny and Marie would have to do a parody of it. Donny plays Luke and Marie plays Leia with these visitor stars as Redd Fox, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Lynde, and a few of the Osmond brothers. The costumes were polished, Osmond-design versions from the originals; regretably, C-3PO ends up thieving the show.
The top costumes of the entire collection, even so, belong to your renowned Wizard of Oz episode. Marie performs Dorothy within a crimson checkered dress and pigtails, Donny can be a Willy Wonka-esque Wizard inside of a yellow-eco-friendly, curly wig and glowing fez hat, and Paul Lynde is really a downright terrifying Wicked Witch of the West in complete green confront paint, black gown and gruesome fingernails. Additional victims…err, visitors…of this episode include Lucille Ball as being the Tin Gentleman, Paul Williams since the Cowardly Lion and Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow. The complete output is technicolor weird; the epitome of traditional Donny and Marie.
When the present did in truth host a laundry list of Hollywood greats, the true stars weren’t the men and women around the stage but the garments around the people today. From System sneakers and bellbottoms to capes and ice skates, Donny and Marie weren’t frightened to Enable their dresses pick up where their particular expertise remaining off. And Although some may well locate the Donny & Marie Display silly and outdated, one thing is for sure; there hasn’t been anything at all like it on television considering that. Wardrobe-wise, that is.