donny osmond

When I first came across this video on my web travels, I thought it was part of that infamous Star Wars Holiday Special that aired in the 70s and hasn't been seen on television since (I think George Lucas is trying to forget it even exists). However, this is actually from Donny & Marie, and it's just as surreal, if not more. Long before she was dancing with other stars, Marie played Princess Leia to Donny's Luke Skywalker. Kris Kristofferson plays Han Solo (and looks like he'd rather be someplace else), the voice of Darth Vader is Thurl Ravenscroft (Tony the Tiger!), and General Harkin is played by...Paul Lynde!

The most incredible part though is Redd Foxx, who hovers above and gives little bits of wisdom. The 70s were a very screwed up time. I also don't think that Donny & Marie would get very far if they tried out for American Idol. I used to watch this show though.

(Note, the first video after the jump is completely out of ;sync. Believe me, it wouldn't be any better if the sound and video were together.)

Well, one of my Festivus wishes may be coming true after all. As we reported last week there are rumors that Donny & Marie (it is never Donny and Marie, always Donny & Marie) may be returning to television in perhaps a daytime talk show format or a reality program. My hope is that they shelve all of that and give us another variety show. And, if they can get it up in time, then we can have an Osmond Family Christmas.

Just like the one in this video, which seems to be from the latter (or last) season of the ABC variety show Donny & Marie. I probably remember these episodes the most because they featured every single Osmond that was still alive. In this example we see the Osmond Family band, including Jimmy on trumpet, Merrill on banjo, and Dad (may he rest in peace) on the bass guitar. We even get to see Marie play a little xylophone during the set.

Word on the street is that Donny and Marie Osmond may be returning to TV. After being prominently featured on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, the brother and sister duo have found a new audience.

Marie came in third place in the latest season of DWTS and Donny made appearances on the show as well as working for Entertainment Tonight as a special DWTS correspondent.

We've all seen the video clip of Larry King asking a surprised Marie Osmond about her 16 year-old son being in rehab, and now inside sources have told the New York Post that he did it on purpose, to get even with her for having the Osmond family reunion on Oprah's show instead of his show (I didn't realize the Osmond brood was causing such a booking war).

Bob told you a couple months ago that a possible reunion was planned of Donny Osmond and four of his brothers (Wayne, Jay, Merrill, and Jimmy). Well, a bit more information has surfaced, and more siblings have been added to the reunion, including sister Marie and brother Alan, who was diagnosed with MS a few years ago.

I have no idea about ticket availability, but the brothers (and sister) are scheduled to perform at the Orleans Hotel Showroom in Las Vegas on August 13 and 14. This could be your last chance to ever see them perform together, so you should at least buy a fake mustache and pretend your a janitor and try to sneak into the venue. Or, you can wait until next March when the concert will air on your local PBS station.

• At 8, ABC has two new episodes of Dancing with the Stars, then the premiere of yet another reality show, The Great American Dream Vote.
• FOX has a new American Idol at 8, then a new House.
• NBC has a new Dateline, then new episodes of Law and Order: CI and Law and Order: SVU.
• At 9, PBS has a new Frontline.
• There's a new Pussycat Dolls Presents on The CW at 9.
• At 10, FX has a new Dirt.
• TLC has a new episode of Miami Ink at 10.
• A&E has two new eps of Driving Force starting at 10.
• Also at 10: Bravo has the season premiere of Work Out.

Check your local TV listings for more.

I don't think my older sister reads this blog, so I think I'm safe in announcing this to the entire world: she had crushes on several Osmonds in the 70s. And now, though she's happily married with children, she might get a chance to relive those days. "And they call it, puppy looooooo-oooove."

Donny Osmond has announced that five of the Osmond brothers - himself, Wayne, Jay, Merrill, and Jimmy - might reunite for a one-time only TV special. They haven't performed together in 25 years, though all of them, including sister Marie, still perform. Alan was diagnosed with MS several years ago.