Donny & Marie (1997–2000) User Reviews

Very Good Talk Show That Ended Well Before It's Time.

[danafranklin · 7/10 · 9 March 2003]

This was a very good talk show with a unique format. Sometimes this format (of having about 4 guests per show) was a bit to fast (you didn't really get to enjoy the really good guests) but it did keep the show moving. I was very surprised when it was canceled. I don't think that the "Network Suits" gave this show a fair chance. If they had let it be, I think the ratings would have continued to grow over another couple seasons. In fact, just before it was canceled, I was reading about how well it was doing, so that makes its cancellation that much more mysterious.

Donny and Marie were the consummate hosts. They were kind, friendly and outgoing. With Donny and Marie, what you saw is what you got..two very genuine, real people, who between them, had a boat-load of talent. Similar to Johnny Carson (the Talk show host against whom all others are judged), made their guests not only feel welcome, but enabled them to just be themselves, and be at ease, something a lot of guest don't seem to be able to do on many other talk shows.

This was a quality show that ended much to soon.

It was good!

[wolfettez · 22 August 2005]

The Donny & Marie show was very good and very well produced! I watched it all the time. It was a fresh and "younger" version of the Sonny & Cher show. And OF COURSE someone had to be the goof! Donny wasn't "full of himself" as others might imagine. It was just a part of the script, right down to his purple socks. Except for the fact that his favorite color was purple that is. Everyone has a gimmick I guess. It was just a shame that the general public thought they were "growing" older instead of to just sit back and enjoy them. I felt that they were and still are a very talented family. Joseph and the Technocolor Dreamcoat should be a very good example of that.

This IS NOT the 1970's variety show...

[meerschae · 3/10 · 24 June 2018]

Instead it is a Daytime Talk Show from the !990's with Donny & Marie hosting 2 or 3 rather typical, "daytime-talk-show," guests.

If you enjoy Donny & Marie there's no reason hy you wouldn't have enjoyed this show. As those familiar with the hosts would expect, they wear their emotions on their sleeve a little bit...

This means that:

* if a guest was someone that Donny liked/admired more than Marie , he would drive the interview, & * if a guest was someone that Marie liked/admired more than Donny , she would drive the interview, & * if a guest was someone that both Donny & Marie liked/admired more than the ordinary rather typical, "daytime-talk-show," guest ... Well, then you were in for some good old sibling rivalry!!

My fondest memory of this show ("fondest" may be too strong?) is when Greg Proops was a guest and despite Donny's equal interest in gaining his attention, Proops only had eyes for Marie!

But Donny loves "Whose Line Is It Anyway" He can't take being ignored while his sister gets all of the attention. He must be given attention. When Proops takes a sip of the drink provided on the talk-show-set, Donny blurts out, "Marie spit in that!"

It doesn't work. Both Greg Proops and Marie ignore the comment. Donny tried to get their attention and failed. That's my memory.

Oh well, either you like/admire Donny & Marie or you don't.