It’s been 50 years since Donny and Marie Osmond launched a variety show that would become a beloved staple of ’70s television.
The first episode of the siblings' series debuted on January 23, 1976, on ABC. The show quickly became a Friday night favorite, blending music, comedy, and the duo’s undeniable charm.
The Donny & Marie Show reflected the fun and optimism of 1970s television. Each episode created a memorable, family-friendly experience for audiences.
The Osmonds welcomed a who’s who of the decade from music, television, and film. These star-studded guests were as key to the show’s success as the siblings’ charm, which shone through in sketches, musical numbers, and special performances.
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Some of the memorable guest stars (per Woman's World) on the Donny & Marie Show included Farrah Fawcett, Vincent Price, Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Paul Lynde, Charro, Ruth Buzzi, Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, and Michael Landon, and that was only during Season 1!
The show was also known for its iconic ice-skating opening, where Donny and Marie slid across their stage before their monologue. The midpoint of the show was the siblings' "A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll" segment, where each performed solo songs from their favorite genres of music. The series closed with "May Tomorrow Be a Perfect Day," a song of optimism and hope.
In his autobiography, Donny Osmond: Life is Just What You Make It, My Story so Far, Osmond shared how he and Marie became the youngest variety show hosts in network television history in 1976, at the ages of 18 and 16. The opportunity came after a week of co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show.
He wrote, "The week that Marie and I cohosted Mike's show, Fred Silverman, then president of ABC, saw us. He thought we'd be naturals to host our own weekly musical variety show. I will never forget that day."
The Donny & Marie Show ran from 1976 through 1979 for a total of 78 episodes. The siblings would go on to host their own talk show from 1998 through 2000 and helm a Las Vegas residency from 2008 through 2019.
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