Timeline - 1998

1998

January 4, 1998 Sunday	An announcement was made that five more performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat had been added to the show run. Alan’s son, David, would be starring as Joseph from January 19 – January 22, 1998.

January 7, 1998 Wednesday	The Osmond Network announced that Marie and Brian had a new little girl, Brianna.

January 12 – March 7 1998	Donny appeared as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kingsbury Hall located on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah.

January 12, 1998 Monday	An article in the Salt Lake Tribune: Donny Osmond, looking like a vision from Heaven, descended in white robes from the clouds at Kingsbury Hall tonight. His Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the first show to sit down for seven weeks in that storied hall. It also marks Donny Osmond’s debut in the role of Joseph in his home state. The packed house applauded wildly as Donny’s form became recognizable five minutes into the show. The fast paced Technicolor show produced by Livent, Inc. also features youngsters from the International Children’s Choir of Sandy. The audience hooted when Joseph entered Egypt and was greeted by a road sign proclaiming I-15 – Expect Delays. The crowd shouted encore when Donny sang Close Every Door. The show clearly belonged to the 40-year Osmond, who clearly delighted in the standing ovation given to him by his hometown fans.

January 14, 1998 Wednesday	KTVX, Channel 4 in Salt Lake City, televised a special on Donny and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on this date.

January 14, 1998 Wednesday	David appeared at the ZCMI Deseret Book Store to help promote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He sang Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do in front of an audience.

January 16, 1998 Friday	Review of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the Salt Lake Tribune by Nancy Mulich: As Joseph, Donny Osmond is a star in the best tradition. He wears the role as if he had just put it on with vibrancy in each clearly sung note and comical gesture. Forget that he has logged several hours with Pharaoh jogging up those altar steps or that his delivery must remain powerful and sincere after emoting from a jail floor for the umpteenth time. Overall good humor punctuates every new note. He moves in his loin cloth with ease among the more protectively draped Israelites and Egyptians. His muscular frame is an eye catcher. Donny Osmond will mark his 2000th appearance at Kingsbury Hall. Osmond clearly belongs in the category of making the starring role all his own. What a pity Broadway audiences were denied what may well be the definitive Joseph interpretation.

January 16, 1998 Friday	According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Donny reportedly told Livent, Inc. producers to cover up the Potiphar seductresses or find another Joseph. When the show opened Monday at Kingsbury Hall, short cropped vests hit the offending exposures. A source close to the production stated Donny did not believe the costumes in that scene would fly with Utah audiences.

January 16, 1998 Friday	According to a business wire from Lake Forest, Califonia: L. L. Knickebocker announced a new business venture of developing a new line of figurines with Kodak and Marie. The new line of porcelain collectibles is being created to capture treasured memories in the lives of people around the world, from the historical advertisements in the archives of Kodak. This is the first of such venture of Kodak and Osmond which is set to launch at the ’98 Toy Fair at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City in February. The new line of collectible figurines will be available for an average retail price from $49 to $150.00.

January 17 - January 18, 1998	Marie was on QVC promoting her dolls.

January 20, 1998 Tuesday	Marie was interviewed and performed a number from the King and I on the Rosie O’Donnell Show which aired on this date.

January 20, 1998 Tuesday	Benjamin (Tom’s son) married Hollie on this date.

January 22, 1998 Thursday	David was originally scheduled to perform as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat due to Donny being out of town; however, Donny returned to town earlier than planned and was able to go on stage. Livent offered to trade tickets for those who specifically bought their tickets to see David for one of the Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday performances.

February 1988	Michael and Beka were attending UVSC full-time this semester. Michael was majoring in Business. Michael and Beka had Chorus together. They had just moved into an unfurnished apartment and were having fun decorating it. David was attending BYU at this time. He was going to classes in the morning and then heading up to Salt Lake for performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where he had been acting as Donny’s understudy. Besides being there for the shows Monday through Fridays, he also had been attending the matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays. In addition, David was teaching a Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School at his BYU ward. Scot was in his junior year of high school and had been asked to a couple of sweetheart dances where the girls ask the guys. He also went to the Senior Ball. He had plans for trying out for the school soccer team in the spring. Scott is an “A” student. He received skis from Christmas has been skiing with Wayne’s son, Greg. He had just been accepted to EFY (Especially For Youth) program at Ricks College. He and Greg have applied to be roommates. EFY is a great program where those attending have a lot of fun, learn a lot, and have their testimonies strengthened. Jon was scheduled to be on the school’s golf team this fall. Both Jon and Scot are on the Church’s basketball team and the team was in second place this year. Jon had just won another Boy Scout Award and was on his way to getting his Eagle Palms Scouting award. Jon had a 4.0 average this year in school.

February 2, 1998 Monday	Donny missed a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat due to illness and David filled in for him.

February 6, 1998 Friday	According to the Osmond Network, Wayne’s daughter Amy announced her engagement and plans to be married on May 4th.

February 7, 1998 Saturday	The Osmond Network announced that Alan and Suzanne’s Lazy River Farms jams had just been purchased by 80 Wal-Mart stores. This was a market test for the jams to see if the jams were accepted by the public.

February 12, 1998 Thursday	Donny participated in his first chat in the Backstage chat room on the Osmond Network.

February 16, 1998 Monday	Joshua Davis was born to Donny and Debbie on this date. He is the 51st grandchild of George and Olive.

February 17, 1998 Tuesday	Tim Rice, who wrote the lyrics for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat attended the show in Salt Lake City. Mr. Rice, who had never seen Donny perform the role, stated it was the best production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat he had ever attended. Donny spent some time with Mr. Rice in the privacy of his dressing room where he asked the lyricist questions regarding the writing of the play.

February 18, 1998 Wednesday	Donny came down with the flu, but still tried to perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; however, he felt so badly, he had to stop in the middle of the performance and let David finish the show.

February 19, 1998 Thursday	David filled in for Donny in both performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kingsbury Hall. Donny was still out with the flu.

February 19, 1998 Thursday	Alan’s son, Nathan returned home from his mission on this date. He arrived at the Salt Lake City Airport at 1:05 pm and was greeted by family members. Nathan had just finished serving a successful full-time mission in Chile.

February 20, 1998 Friday	Donny, still sick with the flu attempted to go on stage to perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; however, in the middle of the show, he had to stop and let David take over.

March 3, 1998 Tuesday	A letter appeared in the Public Forum of the Salt Lake Tribune. Fred Ball wrote a letter on February 26th, expressing disappointment in Donny for missing the performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on February 3rd. In the letter he stated obviously Donny didn’t care about this fans and should take lessons from Michael Jordan who played a basketball game with a 100 degree temperature, won the game, and the Chicago Bulls won the championship. Today, Fred Ball wrote another letter stating he was wrong and Donny does care about his fans. Donny saw the letter on February 26th, called Mr. Ball and explained his situation and why he has serious health problems and did not perform because of doctor’s orders. He was very pleasant and apologetic. Mr. Ball admitted he was chagrined and very embarrassed. Had he known the seriousness of Donny’s ailment, and how many times he had performed when he really shouldn’t have, Mr. Ball would not have written the letter. Since then, Mr. Bal had seen the show with Donny and his wife went again with their 12 grandchildren. Mr. Ball now feels confident that Donny performs when he is able and does care for his fans.

March 4, 1998 Wednesday	Merrill’s son Justin returned to Utah today after serving a two-year mission in London, England. Friends and family greeted him at the airport.

March 7, 1998 Saturday	Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat had its closing night at Kingbury Hall. During it’s seven-week run, many celebrities attended the performances including Touched By An Angel’s Roma Downey and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz. Roma also attended the closing show.

March 7, 1998 Saturday	News 4 Utah covered the closing night of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah. See Video

March 8, 1998 Sunday	Merrill’s son, Justin, had his mission homecoming on this date. Justin had just returned from his deaf mission in London, England. Relatives and friends from all over attended the special Sacrament homecoming meeting that officially welcomed him home. Merrill took a quick overnight flight from Branson to attend his son’s homecoming. Some of Justin’s former missionary companions were there and one of them served as a translator signing the meeting for those attending who were hearing impaired. The bishopric had to open the overflow room to accommodate everyone as the chapel quickly filled up. The meeting opened with the hymn, The Spirit of God Like A Fire Is Burning and Justin’s brother, Shane, gave the opening prayer. Talks were given by Heather and Troy. Justin started his talk by telling the story of Joseph Smith and his first vision that began restoring the gospel. Then, Justin signed the Joseph Smith story to music. He shared a poem about the ambiguities of his mission and how on one hand it was hard, but on the other hand it was wonderful. Justin talked about how his mission was a special mission to the deaf that covered eight normal mission areas. His mission encompassed all of the UK. He spoke of how he had to learn British sign language and how it was different from American Sign Language. He said the deaf program was very new in the Church in Britain, and that it was a “learn as you go” situation. Justin went on to tell of the many lives he saw changed as people embraced the gospel, repented, and were baptized. Justin said he learned a lot while he was on his mission. He said that he had learned to not fear man, but to rely on the Lord. He closed the meeting by bearing his testimony in sign language. The meeting closed with the congregation singing Called To Serve and Travis gave the closing prayer. Afterwards, a local reception and luncheon was held.

March 26, 1998 Thursday	Alan and Suzanne appeared on QVC to promote their Lazy River Farms jams for QVC’s Easter promotion.

March 29, 1998 Sunday	Donny was a guest on the Larry Saunders Show which aired on this date. The show was titled As My Career Lay Dying.

March 30, 1998 Monday	Marie appeared on QVC promoting her dolls.

March 31, 1998 Tuesday	Donny appeared on QVC to promote the Best of Donny and Marie videos.

April 4, 1998 Saturday	Tickets went on sale for the Second Generation’s performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Pittsburgh, PA. The play would be performing at the Benedum Center from June 16 – June 28.

April 4, 1998 Saturday	Donny appeared at an overseas fan club get together in London, England.

April 5, 1998 Sunday	The interview that Donny did with Clive James was aired on this date.

April 6, 1998 Monday	Donny taped a live interview on a program called This Morning while he was in London, England. He also taped three other interviews which would be shown at later dates.

April 7, 1998 Tuesday	Donny went to England to be a part of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th Birthday Party celebration at London’s Royal Albert Hall. He sang Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The concert support the National Youth Music Theatre, an internationally acclaimed British youth music charity.

April 7, 1998 Tuesday	32 Records released a Tom Jones 2-CD set entitled Greatest Hits. The CD set featured Donny and Tom singing Girl From New York City and Marie and Tom singing The Way You Do The Things You Do. These were performances from the Tom Jones Show which aired on television 1980-1981 and have never been on CD before.

April 11, 1998 Saturday	The interview that Donny did for the Show Biz Weekly aired on his SKY 1 on this date.

April 16, 1998 Thursday	Jimmy celebrated his 35th birthday.

April 16, 1998 Thursday	Merrill’s son, Shane, received his mission call to Mexico.

April 16, 1998 Thursday	The Second Generation were featured in the New York Post in an article entitled Seven Roles for Seven Brothers.

April 17, 1998 Friday	Alan participated in a chat in the Backstage chat room on the Osmond Network.

April 22, 1998 Wednesday	Olive was hospitalized for a stroke on this date. The MRI indicated that Olive had 5 mini strokes over the past couple of years.

April 27, 1998 Monday	Tickets went on sale for the Second Generation’s performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the State Fair Music Hall in Dallas, Texas. The production is scheduled to be in Dallas on May 19 – May 31.

April 28, 1998 Tuesday	The Osmond Network announced that Merrill’s son, Travis, was engaged to Maggon Palmer. Travis and Maggon planned on getting married sometime this summer.

April 30, 1998 Thursday	Merrill celebrated his 45th birthday.

May 1998	The Second Generation taped an interview with Entertainment Tonight to be shown sometime during this month.

May 2, 1998 Saturday	The Mulan Soundtrack was released on CD. Donny is featured on the CD singing I’ll Make A Man Out Of You.

May 4, 1998 Monday	Wayne’s daughter, Amy married Luke Bingham on this date.

May 8, 1998 Friday	Donny and Debbie celebrated their 20th Wedding anniversary.

May 10, 1998 Sunday	Donny appeared in a interview on Utah 98, a local Utah television show which aired in Salt Lake City.

May 11, 1998 Monday	Donny appeared in a series of interviews for the Channel 5 News starting this night.

May 12, 1998 Tuesday	According to the Osmond Network, Columbia Tri-Star Television Distribution built a 250-seat studio for the Donny and Marie talk show. The studio would be on the same lot in Culver City, California where Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy were also taped.

May 15, 1998 Friday	Donny and Marie were on Entertainment Tonight which aired on this date.

May 19 - May 31, 1998	The Second Generation performed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the State Fair Music Hall in Dallas, Texas.

May 19, 1998 Tuesday	Alan’s son, Michael and his wife Beka became parents of Suzannah Renee Osmond in Dallas, Texas on this date. They had planned on having the baby in Oklahoma so Beka could be closer to her parents. The doctor told them she was fine to fly to Dallas for a few days and at 4:00 am Beka went into labor. She had the baby at 2:44 pm. The baby weighed 7 lbs and 4 oz and is 19 ¾ inches long. She was born with dark hair and blue eyes. Suzannah was named after Suzanne and Beka’s middle name.

May 19, 1998 Tuesday	The Second Generation started their tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on this date in Dallas, Texas. David was Jospeh, Michael was Dan, Nathan was Zebulon, Scott was Gad, Jon was Benjamin, and Alex and Tyler were in the children’s chorus.

May 19, 1998 Tuesday	The Second Generation were featured in the tabloid, Star Magazine. They were also featured in today’s Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Evening News on this date.

May 20, 1998 Wednesday	David appeared on Good Morning Texas in Dallas Texas on this date.

May 21, 1998 Thursday	Donny was in Los Angeles delivering food for Project Angelfood. Project Angelfood is a service that delivers meals to the ill and bedridden shut ins.

May 21, 1998 Thursday	David appeared on the show Positively Texas in Dallas, Texas.

May 22, 1998 Friday	The E Entertainment Network showed an interview with Donny on this date. Also, Donny was in a commercial promoting the Utah Jazz.

May 22, 1998 Friday	The Second Generation was on the show Good Day Dallas in Dallas, Texas. David also did a radio phone interview with EZ Riock in Toronto, Canada.

May 23, 1998 Saturday	Donny was featured in an article in the TV Guide about his singing I’ll Make A Man Out Of You in the Disney animated movie, Mulan.

May 31 – June 1, 1998	Marie co-hosted the CMN Telethon from Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

May 31, 1998 Sunday	Alan, Suzanne, and family spoke at a fireside in McKinney, Texas. The fireside was held for the McKinney stake and friends.

June 1998	David participated in several advance story interviews in connection with the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Tour. He did the following: a radio interview with CKGL; a taped interview with Marlene Giuliano for Christian radio station, CHOW; an interview with Gladys Wilson of the Beaver County Times in Pittsburgh; an interview with Douglas Shanaberger of the Washington Observer in Pittsburgh; and an interview with Carol Waterloo Frazier of the McKeesport Daily News.

June 3, 1998 Wednesday	The Second Generation did an interview with the Channel 20 Morning Show which aired in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. David also did an advance story phone interview with John Hayes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

June 4, 1998 Thursday	The Second Generation visited Sports World in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada on this date.

June 5, 1998 Friday	The premiere of Mulan was held at the Hollywood Bowl, in Hollywood California.

June 6, 1998 Saturday	Donny’s son, Don received his mission call to London, England.

June 6, 1998 Saturday	Donny was a guest on the Andrew Lloyd Webber 50th Anniversary Show which was shown in the UK on this date.

June 8, 1998 Monday	David did an interview with CHML radio in Hamilton, Ontario. He also did an interview with Matt Hayes and Sunni Genesco of K-Lite radio and Eric Martsolf of ONTV in Hamilton, Ontario.

June 10, 1998 Wednesday	The Second Generation participated in a chat on AOL’s ABC Kidzine.

June 16 - June 28, 1998	The Second Generation appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

June 16, 1998 Tuesday	Donny made a guest appearance on Reflections on Ice: Michelle Kwan Skates to the Music of Disney’s Mulan. Selections from the soundtrack were featured, as well as the film’s signing voices.

June 17, 1998 Wednesday	The Making of Mulan aired on the Disney Channel on this date. Donny was featured recording I’ll Make A Man Out Of You.

June 17, 1998 Wednesday	Donny was featured on the ABC News in LA for recording Mulan.

June 18, 1998 Thursday	Donny was a guest on Good Morning America which aired on this date. He was promoting Mulan.

June 19, 1998 Friday	Donny was a guest on The View which aired on this date. He was promoting Mulan.

June 19, 1998 Friday	Mulan was released to movie theaters on this date.

June 20, 1998 Saturday	Marie did a doll signing for Treasures In The Attic in Amherst, Ohio.

June 21, 1998 Sunday	Donny was featured on CTV Entertainment Now which aired on this date.

June 22, 1998 Monday	Alan celebrated his 49th birthday today.

June 22, 1998 Monday	Donny was a guest on Disney Chat which aired on the Disney Channel on this date.

June 23, 1998 Tuesday	The Osmond Network announced that Donny would be participating in a Backstage chat on July 8th.

June 28, 1998 Sunday	Marie appeared on QVC promoting her dolls.

June 30, 1998 Tuesday	Alan’s son, David, along with Jodi Benson, was a guest DJ on Houston’s KRBE radio station. He also taped some interviews for KKTL; KRIV-TV; and WPRC-TV in the Houston, Texas area.

July 1, 1998 Wednesday	David taped two interviews for KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas.

July 10, 1998 Friday	Merrill’s son, Travis married Maggon on this date.

July 11, 1998 Saturday	Marie participated in a doll signing at the Enchanted Cottage in Provo, Utah.

July 16, 1998 Thursday	David received his mission call to Madrid, Spain. David entered the Missionary Training Center on November 4, 1998.

July 16, 1998 Thursday	David and the rest of the Second Generation (except Doug because he was serving his mission) performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were asked to continue with Joseph for another year, but declined because of David’s mission.

July 19, 1998 Sunday	Merrill’s son, Shane had his mission farewell on this date.

July 20, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie were scheduled to attend the premiere of Disney’s The Parent Trap at Mann’s National Theater in Westwood, California.

August 1 – August 2, 1998	Marie appeared on QVC promoting her dolls.

August 18, 1998 Sunday	Jared (Virl’s son) and Heather became the parents of Alexis Sandra on this date.

August 24, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie were scheduled to be in Nashville, TN and appear on the News 2 News.

August 25, 1998 Tuesday	Donny and Marie were scheduled to do an interview for Talk of the Town in Nashville, Tennessee on this date.

August 26, 1998 Wednesday	Donny and Marie were in Detroit promoting The Donny and Marie Show. FOX2 hosted Donny and Marie as they introduced the new show.

August 27, 1998 Thursday	Donny and Marie were interviewed in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Minnesota State Fair for the KARE 11 Today Show. They also were scheduled to do a radio interview for WCOO AM radio in Minneapolis. Donny and Marie were also shown in some previews of The Donny and Marie Show on Entertainment Tonight.

August 29, 1998 Saturday	Donny and Marie were intereviewed on This Week In Country Music which aired on this date.

August 31, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie taped an appearance on Billy Bogg’s Corner Table to shown on a later date. They also taped an appearance on FOX New’s The O’Reilly Factor which aired on this date. In addition, they were interviewed by Joan Rivers for her radio program and Westwood One Radio.

September 1, 1998 Tuesday	Donny and Marie were interviewed on WPLJ radio and also on Good Morning America in New York on this date. After taping Good Morning America, they headed over to CBS This Morning to tape a segment. They also taped Woman’s Day TV on this date which will air on PAX TV at a later date. In addition, they taped a segment for NBC Today which would air September 2, 1998.

September 2, 1998 Wednesday	Donny and Marie were interviewed on Good Morning Philadelphia which aired on this date. The segment that Donny and Marie taped for NBC Today aired on this date.

September 3, 1998 Thursday	(Preview of the new Donny & Marie Talk Show by John Youngren): Based on what I’ve seen of the upcoming show, both Osmonds still have it – that wholesome show biz style and a new somewhat naughty sense of fun that would make their talk show a success. KSTU-Channel 13 is banking on both Osmonds. They moved Donny and Marie to 11:00 a.m. – Rosie O’Donnell’s time slot and put Rosie against Oprah at 4:00 pm. The move would only be possible is KSTU officials were confident in Donny and Marie in the mornings. They still exhibit charisma, chemistry, and comic timing that they made their trademark in the 70’s. Their youthfulness may be gone, but in exchange, we see them as more seasoned performers, actors, and parents in the late 90’s. They’re not afraid to have fun with their carefully cultivated images. Channel 13 is hoping the Osmond hour produced by Dick Clark will hold its strong daytime lineup together.

September 5, 1998 Friday	Merrill participated in a Backstage Chat on the Osmond Network. This was his first time to participate in the chat room.

September 7, 1998 Sunday	A small article and photo of Donny was in People Magazine on this date.

September 10 – September 11, 1998	Donny and Marie taped the Donny & Marie Show.

September 11, 1998 Friday	Donny and Marie taped an interview with Larry King which aired on September 26, 1998. The entire hour was devoted to Donny and Marie.

September 12, 1998 Saturday	A minor fire broke out during the Osmond Brothers’ 2:00 show at the Osmond Family Theater. They were in the middle of their Broadway medley when the fire broke out. Everyone had to be evacuated, but according to Merrill, aside from a little coughing and breathing in smoke, all were okay. The damage occurred in the dressing room area of the theater.

September 13, 1998 Sunday	Donny and Marie were scheduled to appear at the Prime Time Emmy Awards.

September 14, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

September 16 – September 18, 1998	Donny and Marie taped the Donny and Marie Show.

September 18, 1998 Friday	Donny and Marie did an interview for Hard Copy and Entertainment Tonight which was aired on this date.

September 20, 1998 Sunday	The LA Times had an interview with Donny and Marie in their TV Book.

September 21, 1998 Monday	The new Donny & Marie Show made its debut on television.

September 22, 1998 Tuesday	Donny was interviewed by Tom Snyder on his Late Late Show which aired on this date. Donny also made an appearance on the LA Radio show, Loveline.

September 23 - September 24, 1998	Donny and Marie appeared on the PAX Network in a two-part interview for Woman’s Day.

September 23 – September 25, 1998	Donny and Marie taped the Donny and Marie Show.

September 26, 1998 Tuesday	The live interview that Donny and Marie did on CNN’s Larry King Live aired on this date.

September 26, 1998 Tuesday	George, Olive, Donny, Marie and their families were in Las Vegas, NV at the Hilton Hotel to watch the Second Generation perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This was the closing weekend of the tour with the final performance scheduled for Sunday night. A family party was scheduled after tonight’s performance.

September 27, 1998 Sunday	Donny and Marie appeared in issues of People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and the TV Guide. Each magazine had an article about the Donny & Marie Show.

September 27, 1998 Sunday	The Second Generation’s tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat had its closing show in Las Vegas, NV at the Hilton Hotel.

September 28, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie did an interview for Good Morning LA which aired on this date.

September 29, 1998 Tuesday	Donny and Marie were guests on Good Morning LA which aired on this date.

October 1, 1998 Thursday	(Review of the new Donny & Marie Show by John Youngren from the Salt Lake Tribune) In a little more than a week on the air, the new Donny & Marie Show is a hit with viewers. Based on Nielsen overnight ratings for September 21 – September 25, Donny & Marie blasted out of the box with a 4.7 rating and a 19 share. Donny & Marie is more than doubling the efforts by comedians Roseanne and Howie Mandel. It is even outpacing Regis and Kathie Lee – which averaged a 3.3 rating and a 13 share in recent overnight Neilsens. All of this is big news for KSTU. So far, so good. Donny and Marie are capable, appealing hosts (proving again, if you like the hosts, you like the show). That’s not to say everything is perfect. They need to hone their interviewing skills. There are times when you get the feeling Marie would push things one way while Donny wants to pull another. They need to develop that type of on-air anticipation that comes with experience. For example, Regis has it with Kathie Lee, but does not have it when Joy (Regis’ wife) occasionally fills in. And while Donny and Marie undeniably have a personal comic chemistry – he tends to play the goofy jokester while she get to be the sassy cynic like their original show. They would be wise to get away from the sophomoric, too cute giggles. Instead, the Osmonds need to concentrate on maintaining the edge they demonstrated on their test shows where they showed they were more capable of making a clever aside or slightly off-colored joke when called for. But such quibbles are minor, for Donny and Marie so far is exactly the success it looked like to would be. Donny and Marie are seasoned, versatile performers (their musical numbers are the highlights of the show). I predict they will continue to grow as hosts.

October 1 – October 2, 1998	Donny and Marie tape the Donny and Marie Show.

October 7, 1998 Wednesday	Alan’s son, David entered the MTC today to start his two-year mission to Madrid, Spain.

October 7 – October 9, 1998	Donny and Marie taped the Donny and Marie Show.

October 8, 1998 Thursday	Alan participated in a Utah Education Association convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. This two-hour convention was simultaneously broadcasted on KSL radio station. Alan participated within the second hour, joining other speakers focusing on literacy. The event was open to the public and the tickets were free. They were given out on a first come, first serve basis.

October 8, 1998 Thursday	Donny and Marie did an interview with Crook and Chase on Today’s Country for the Nashville Network which aired on this date.

October 9, 1998 Friday	Donny and Marie appeared in the Food Network’s Bill Bogg’s Corner Table.

October 11, 1998 Sunday	Donny and Marie appeared on QVC to promote the debut of the all-porcelain Donny and Marie dolls. The Donny and Marie dolls were QVC’s TSV (Today’s Special Value).

October 12, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie appeared in a 2-page ad in Variety magazine.

October 13, 1998 Tuesday	Marie records the voice for Buster and Chauncey’s Silent Night.

October 18, 1998 Sunday	An article appeared in an English paper, The Sunday Mirror, giving an eye-opening view of life as a missionary based on the experiences of Donny’s son, Don.

October 20, 1998 Tuesday	Donny and Marie did an interview of CNN’s Showbiz Today.

October 21, 1998 Wednesday	An announcement was made that Alan’s son, Nathan would be the special guest in the Backstage chat room on November 12th.

October 23 - October 24, 1998	Alan and Suzanne had a booth at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds where a Crafts and Food Show as being held. Alan and Suzanne were selling their Lazy River Farms jams at a book and were available at the fair on Friday from Noon until 9:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.

October 25, 1998 Sunday	Donny and Marie were guests on Larry King Live which aired on this date.

October 26, 1998 Monday	Alan and Suzanne had just returned from Buffalo, New York. They attended a very successful event, Dinner for Champions in honor of the 20th anniversary for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Alan served as the keynote speaker and focused on family, prayer, and religion and how it has helped him in the battle of MS as well as the importance of family for support. He also spoke about the family’s charity, One Heart for strengthening families. The president of the MS Society presented him with an award. Suzanne’s webpages on When Your Husband Has MS was shown and featured on the evening news in Buffalo, New York. All associated with the event were pleased to see it sold out for the first time.

October 27, 1998 Tuesday	Alan did an interview for Good Morning Buffalo in Buffalo, New York to promote his children’s books and talk about dealing with MS.

October 28 – October 30, 1998	Donny and Marie taped the Donny and Marie Show.

November 1998	Donny’s CD, Christmas At Home was featured in Target Stores on their music players for people to be able to hear clips from the CD. Also, Donny and Marie were featured in a two-page article in Target’s Target the Family Holiday Magazine. The title of the article was called Donny and Marie, A Christmas of Family.

November 2, 1998 Monday	Alan did an interview with the KLIZ radio station in Brainerd, Minnesota. He was promoting his children’s books and was interviewed by Kelly Crain.

November 2, 1998 Monday	The Osmond Brothers – Wayne, Merrill, Jay, and Jimmy – opened their Christmas show in Branson, Missouri. Olive and George returned to Branson and George was also included in the show. Virl continued to sign How Great Thou Art while Merrill was singing.

November 2, 1998 Monday	Donny was a guest on Politically Incorrect on this date.

November 11, 1998 Wednesday	The Backstage chat that Alan’s son Nathan was scheduled to do was postponed to December 3. The postponement was due to problems with the Osmond Network server.

November 11, 1998 Wednesday	Alan did an interview with the KLTF radio station in Little Falls, Minnesota.

November 16, 1998 Monday	Alan left for Nashville, Tennessee and did an interview on Today’s Country for the Nashville Network. He was promoting his new children’s books.

November 17, 1998 Tuesday	Alan did an interview for the Talk of the Town for WTVF-TV in Nashville, Tennessee.

November 18, 1998 Wednesday	Alan was in Nashville to appear on Crook and Chase to promote his children’s books. The show airs on the Nashville Network.

November 18, 1998 Wednesday	Alan did a 90-minute book signing in David-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville, Tennessee.

November 19, 1998 Thursday	Alan attended a dinner hosted by the National Press Club for Authors in Washington, D.C. This dinner was provided for all of the authors who participated in the book signing that evening. Alan also participated in the book signing for the National Press Club Book Fair and Author’s Night. This book signing was attended by several top-name authors in the country.

November 21, 1998 Saturday	Donny’s album, Christmas At Home made its debut on Billboard’s Christmas LP chart. It debuted at #37.

November 23, 1998 Monday	Alan was back in Salt Lake City, Utah and did an interview with Lee Davis from the WCUB radio station in Green Bay, Wiconsin.

November 23, 1998 Monday	Donny made a cameo appearance on the CBS program, King of Queens which aired on this date. Donny also taped his portion of the Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade a the MGM studios in Disney World. He sang I’ll Make A Man Out of You and Stevie Wonder’s True To Your Heart. In addition to the taping, he participated in some special Park Celebrity activities which included Donny signing his Christmas at Home CD.

November 24, 1998 Tuesday	Donny was scheduled to make an appearance on E television’s Out To Lunch.

November 25, 1998 Wednesday	Donny and Marie appeared in a Christmas commercial for Target during the Celine Dion concert which was televised on CBS television. The commercial was scheduled to run through Thanksgiving Day (November 26).

November 27 – November 28, 1998	Alan and Suzanne attended the Spanish Fork Christmas Craft Show in Spanish Fork, Utah from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm on Friday; and from 10:00 until 7:00 on Saturday. They had a booth a the craft show for their Lazy River Jams and their new children’s books.

November 28, 1998 Saturday	Donny’s album, Christmas At Home fell to #40 on Billboard’s Christmas LP chart. This was its second week on the chart.

November 30, 1998 Monday	Donny was host/performer at the 4th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony for ABC Television Center in Century City, California. This was a benefit for the Starlight Foundation.

December 2, 1998 Wednesday	Alan announced the new ETTE (Endure To End) rings which were designed by Doug when he was in the MTC. This ring’s slogan is a constant reminder of the faith and courage we must have as we face life’s challenges.

December 2, 1998 Wednesday	Marie made an appearance on the television sitcom, The Single Guy which aired on the USA Network.

December 3, 1998 Thursday	Nathan was the special guest in the Osmond Network’s Backstage Chat room.

December 5, 1998 Saturday	Alan and Suzanne signed copies of their children’s books at Deseret Books in the Layton Hills Mall in Layton, Utah from 10:00 until noon. They signed more book at Deseret Books in the Cottonwood Mall in Salt Lake City from 1:00 until 3:00 and the Sugarhouse Deseret Books in Salt Lake City, Utah form 4:00 until 6:00. The titles of the books were If The Shoe Fits and Just Right.

December 6, 1998 Sunday	The Osmond Brothers made a guest appearance on the Lawrence Welk Family Christmas Show which was televised on PBS on this date.

December 9, 1998 Wednesday	According to the St. Louis Post in St. Louis, Missouri, Jimmy was named as one of this year’s Ten Outstanding Americans by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. He and other honorees will be recognized for the achievements on January 9 at a banquet in Washington, DC.

December 10, 1998 Thursday	Alan and his sons, Michael, Nathan, Scott, and Jon taped a segment for the Donny and Marie Show. Alan talked about his children’s books and presented Donny and Marie with a pair of ETTE (Endure To The End) rings which were designed by Alan’s son, Doug, while he was in the MTC. The ring and slogan are a constant reminder of the faith and courage everyone must have as a they face life’s challenges.

December 11, 1998 Friday	Alan and Suzanne signed copies of their children’s books at Deseret Books in the University Mall in Orem, Utah and at the South Point Deseret Books in Sandy, Utah.

December 12, 1998 Saturday	Alan and Suzanne signed copies of their children’s books at the Deseret Books in the Ogden City Mall in Ogden, Utah and at the Bountiful Deseret Books in Bountiful, Utah. They also signed book at the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah.

December 12, 1998 Saturday	Donny and Marie were guest on the Larry King Show which aired on this date. They discussed the talk show.

December 18, 1998 Friday	Alan signed his children’s books at the Media Play located in Ogden, Utah and the Media Play located on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, Utah.

December 18, 1998 Friday	Donny signed copies of his CD, Christmas At Home at Tower Records in Santa Monica, California. Donny also made a guest appearance on Mark and Brian’s Christmas radio show in Los Angeles, California. The show was re-aired on December 25, 1998.

December 19, 1998 Saturday	Alan signed his children’s books at the Media Play located on Fort Union in Salt Lake City, Utah and the Media Play located in Orem, Utah.

December 21, 1998 Monday	Donny’s son, Joshua, made his television debut on The Donny & Marie Show.

December 21, 1998 Monday	Donny and Marie were featured on VH1’s Behind the Music which aired on this date.

December 22, 1998 Tuesday	Alan participated in an interview for the WIVW radio station in Topeka, Kansas. He was interviewed for approximately 45 minutes by Jim Cates.

December 22, 1998 Tuesday	Alan’s son, David completed the MTC and left for Madrid, Spain to start his mission. He left the Salt Lake City airport at approximately 6:00 am Friends and family gathered at the airport to say goodbye.

December 25, 1998 Friday	The Donny and Marie Show which featured Alan and his sons aired on this date.

December 30, 1998 Wednesday	Entertainment Tonight featured a preview of the Fox Family Channel’s Famous Families which featured the Osmonds to be aired in January.

If you would like to receive updates on
the Osmonds, put your e-mail in the box below.