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"We left the balloons and the dancing bears back in the '70s," said Donny Osmond by phone from L.A., where the duo have a syndicated talk and entertainment show, The Donny And Marie Show. It airs in Toronto weekdays at 3 on WTN.
Wait. The "balloons and the dancing bears" crack? Was that Donnie Osmond sarcasm?
You bet.
Don't forget this is the same Donny Osmond who insulted Rosie O'Donnell while a guest on her show.
Apparently, Donny thought the popular daytime talk show host was roasting him when she hauled out some old records and memorabilia.
Then things got ugly when the former teen idol said he wasn't sure a helicopter could handle all of O'Donnell's weight -- although he was kind enough to offer to be her stunt double.
In the weeks following the show the crowd would 'boo' when O'Donnell mentioned his name.
Finally, Donny made amends by dressing up as a dog and serenading O'Donnell with a rendition of Puppy Love. "That's all been put to bed," he said.
Sharing the phone line was sister Marie, who was quick to jump to her brother's defence.
"You know Rosie worked it, she's really a very funny lady," said Marie.
It turns out that at a recent celebrity-studded affair, O'Donnell told Marie, "Oh, I love you, I hate your brother, I love you, I hate your brother -- we'll have to think of something fun for me when I do your show."
But will the public be as forgiving?
Loved or loathed, "America's favourite brother and sister" are still all charm.
Devout Mormons from Utah, the child stars managed to escape the '70s and '80s drug and alcohol free, but with a goody-goody image that proved hard to shake.
After the first series ended in 1978, Marie went on to starring roles in TV movies like The Gift Of Love with James Woods and I Married Wyatt Earp with Bruce Boxleitner, before making a singing comeback with country hits like Meet Me In Montana and You're Still New To Me.
The same kind of follow-up success came a decade later for brother Donny. He only got back on the music charts in 1989 with the hit single, Soldier of Love.
But it took the role of Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Weber's 1992 North American touring production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to put Donny back on top.
So why a new TV show now?
"Well, 20 years seemed to be the right kind of time for a reunion," explained Donny.
"It really was a great career," he said of the pair's former success. But the star admits he's given up fighting that earlier image, "We're both so different now, there's really nothing to battle."
The two even look different -- Donny, at 40, no longer has the babyface that made him a teenage heartthrob; Marie, 38, has de-pouffed her hair in favour of a sleek look.
"The only correlation between the two shows is the name," said Donny. "It's completely different."
It's a new look for a new show that made its WTN debut last week with guests singer LeAnn Rimes, The Practice's Emmy award-winning Camryn Manheim and 90210's Brian Austin Green.
Okay, the dorky factor was definitely there -- plates of cookies, tons of singing and sibling togetherness. But the show had its own brand of humour.
For instance, Manheim -- a self-described fat girl -- bantered hilariously with Donny while hinting at the Rosie affair.
"It's more than just a variety show," said Donny, who isn't content to let the show be just another Regis And Kathie Lee.
The format is talk and entertainment. And in the "she's a little bit country, he's a little bit rock 'n' roll" vein, Marie prefers the talk component of the show, and Donny goes for the performing portion.
"I like sitting in that other chair -- it's nice to be the interviewer and make people comfortable," said Marie, who wouldn't pick favourites. "There are definite people you'd love to have on but I'd hate to name names."
Donny was less reserved.
"I'm looking forward to Jane Seymour coming on -- I've always had a bit of a crush on her. I'll dominate that interview," he said with a laugh. You go Donny.
The DONNY AND MARIE File
TOO HOT FOR DONNY AND MARIE?: Not the king of trash TV. Jerry Springer is one of the guests on an upcoming show. Marie was mum on the details but according to Donny, "It's a fun segment."
But don't expect anything nasty like profane, nude brawling guests. Sure, they've changed but were you expecting a miracle?