DUDE. IT’S FOR ME.
My 18 year old daughter listens to Joni Mitchell. Not the latest release, but Joni from 1971, her Blue album. I understand why because the music was written in a year that Joni took off from her rising career to travel the world and write and paint.
That has always appealed to teenagers….well, to most of us really. It’s proof that some entertainers, like Joni, will always be current to others beyond her generation.
So, I’m always happy to see teenagers in the audience of our shows, or meet those who collect my dolls, or who write emails to me. But, sometimes I’m even surprised by who they are.
Last week, I was having a quick salad with a friend in a restaurant and two boys came up to the table to ask for an autograph. They were wearing hip, skater-type clothes and had the long, sweeping, bangs covering the eyes, hairstyle. I asked the first young man if the autograph was for his mom and he said: “Dude, it’s for me. I used to watch the talk show you did with Donny when I was little.”
Mind you, he was “little” in 2001.
The other boy handed me a paper with a drawn heart with an arrow through it and asked me to sign in the heart.
“Ah. You like older women?” I said, laughing.
“Yeah,” he said. “You’re single, right?”
“I am. And, I like going to the movies.”
He looked a bit stunned at my straight-faced answer and then he said, “Okay, but you’ll have to drive, cuz I’m only fourteen. Almost fifteen!”
“Well,” I told him, “It might have worked out if you were ‘forty-something…almost fifty!”
I loved hearing that they had watched me on TV and that their memories of that show were happy enough to make them want to ask for my autograph. I’ve known all along the influence a parent’s interests can have on a child when it comes to my collectible doll business. Whenever I do doll signings I meet hundreds of women who are there with their daughters…and some three generations, grandma and granddaughter. So, it was a good reminder to me to meet these boys, whose Mom’s watched the Donny & Marie talk show every day and who could count on it being a good show for their young children to watch with them.
In the same way that our upcoming Vegas show at the Flamingo is suitable for all ages, it has always been important to me (and all of my brothers) to do shows that you can watch with your family and not have to be concerned if the content will be questionable for young people. I feel that if the television is on in your home during the day, it should be programming that could be for everyone in your home.
My goal with my new talk show, in 2009, is to make it worth the hour in your day.
A destination to be entertained, relaxed, pick up some good thoughts and ideas, talk about what matters to women….and to laugh! Always to have a couple of laughs.
Every kid I’ve ever met loves to see his or her parents laugh, in the same way I did as a child. I bet you did, too. I’d like to make that happen for a new generation, again. So, I’ve been excited to hear all the good news and interest, which I’m being told by Ritch and Josh of Program Partners, about my upcoming show.
In the meantime, bring your whole family to Vegas, to the Flamingo, to see our show. Donny and I will be performing there starting September 9th and running for six months.
Hope you’re having a great summer.
Marie
Cassie commented:
As I sit here and read the blog and the comments, my story is somewhat the same. I saw the show in Vegas in July. Months before the show, people would ask me who I was seeing, and I would reply "Donny and Marie." This first responce everytime was, "How the heck do you know who they are?" I would laugh and reply, I may be young (21) but I'm not stupid. I remember watching your talk show in the 90's and getting to know you more now from the run on Dancing with the Stars...
While I was in vegas, I did get to meet you, one of my friends was looking at the picture and she had no idea who you were, until I mentioned Dancing with the Stars and she knew you from there.
Good luck with everything and keep smiling :D
Heather commented:
DUDE, its for me! LOL loves it! Thats too cute that they came up to you and wanted an autograph. My story is the same as theirs even though I am a little older. I was at home sick from high school one day and saw your talk show and loved it. I started taping it so I would have something to watch when I got home from school and have been a fan ever since. Cna't wait for your new one!
Heather
Linda in Malaysia commented:
Marie,
You are awesome. I was the person who held the doll at the 50th anniversary concert in Genting Highlands. Been an Osmond fan since 1972 and now my 2 teenage sons think you are great too. Hope to see you and Donny in Las Vegas in 2009. Love, Linda
Katherine commented:
Marie...I am so hoping to make it to the Flamingo to see you and Donny. Now that I am an adult...you would think I could make the arrangements to make this happen, but of course I'm reminded how back in the 70's...when I wasn't able to go...so my prayers are that my health hold up...and my children stop worrying about me traveling alone...you would think after being a single parent for 20 years they would let up...but in all honesty...I'm blessed and grateful that they care as much as they do...here's hoping our next conversation is at the doll signing in November 2008...much love and prayers...
Mayla commented:
To Shundra above - You're not moving in the right circles, dude. ;0) Gotta get some cooler friends! hehe (joke). Donny & Marie: A treat enjoyed by only the coolest teen, 20, 30, 40, 50 and more-somethings!
Shundra commented:
I have to say. I'm 28 and I remembered you and your brothers from watching a special in 1998. That's how I got hooked to your families music.
I also watched Donny and Marie talk show and did go to two tapings in 2000.
Its hard to find anybody my age or under who likes the Osmonds or even heard of the Osmonds. If I told somebody I like the Osmonds or Donny, their like "Who?" With a confused look on their face.
My mother was a teenager back in the 70s and loved your brothers music. Now here I am 30 something years later liking the same music my mother loved in the 70s.
Sherry of IN commented:
Well, I think it's great the way the boys came up to you - the best part - you didn't mind them coming over during your meal - way to go Ms. Cool!!!!!
Good luck with the shows at Flamingo - keep going because my 49-year old body couldn't do what yours is doing!!!!
Here's to reaching 50 next year!!!
Bob commented:
Dude! I like going to the movies, too! (Only I'm definitely in the 50s!) Wanna see "Wall*E"? :)
Mayla commented:
It's true - it's a generational thing. I used to watch the 70s show with my Mom. The, I'm the one who told her about the D&M talk show and we'd watch it. She's no longer with us, so I value memories like this a lot. My little niece is carrying on the tradition - she danced around watching you on DWTS. She said you were "pretty" and "funny" and had "pretty hair." ;0) I wish Vegas wasn't across the country, or I'd bring her. Anyway, my sister and I will go and have a fun family time at the Flamingo.
Barbara Wright commented:
Marie, I can't wait for that talk show..... I so miss the Donny and Marie talk show.... By the way, I'm glad to here that Donny and You are going to release a new album in Feb 2009....YES! I can't Wait!
Love always, Barbara
Rachel commented:
My son was talking to his Dad on the phone telling him how he had seen a couple of really good shows whilst in Vegas......Coldplay.....and Donny and Marie :) He's 16
Hanne commented:
Marie, your shows were never shown here in Denmark but my 4 teenagers know you too....
I heard two of them talking the other day, my daughter said to her brother, boy have you ever tried sitting in the school and without thinking you start singing a Donny and Marie song? he looked at her and said , man its so embarrassing I do it all the time, and my friends dont know who they are....I laughed to myself ....my mission is done:))
Marilyn commented:
Looking forward to your talk show in 2009, I know its going to be fabulous, hopefully I will get a chance to be part of the audience.
Carol commented:
Well, Marie, you and your family have entertained me since I was in kindergarten...I watched the Osmond Bros. cartoon, a couple years later I started buying the new D&
Kristin Marie(Newnan, GA) commented:
Too funny, Marie. I love your humor. I enjoyed reading it.
Take care of yourself and good luck in Vegas with Donny.
Sue commented:
Marie,
With age, you get funnier and funnier. I read this article to my Daughter and she cracked up. We both liked the fact that you mentionrd us and all of the other Mothers and Daughters that go to your doll signings. Next time you see us, you will see 3 Generations of us, as my Grandson absolutely adores you (He's 2 and you waved to him when he saw you in Pueblo, Co. He was the only Toddler there at the speech you did). You think those skaters were young and in love with you, look out for Nick! I am going to be a Grandmaw again in December. Anyway, we hope to see you next year in 2009. Take Care, Sue
stephanie commented:
ok so that is totally weird! i am 25 & i found you through the donny & marie talk show! i started watching when i was 16 & i was sick from school 1 day & had it on & then started taping it every day. when i would get home from school my mom & i would watch it together before i went to work! it was r special time together! =] now i collect your dolls & have met you several times & plan on coming to see your vegas show in nov! i have front row center tickets & get to meet you again after the show! it is funny that i am really the fan & bring my mom along with me instead of the other way around! & now we both r looking forward to watching your new talk show together! =] thanks for being awesome & giving us something to do together!
Lo commented:
holla at the d&m talk show...!! my friend and i would watch it after volleyball practice in junior high!! but it's totally true...my mom watched the original show in the 70's...and it just sort of trickled on down through me...it doesn't seem to matter when or what you did then...it's about building onto that...making even more people crack up...which is totally what you do!!!
&3