TVFirstLook
Marie Osmond is the type of celebrity you want to like - no, the type you can't help but like. She's been part of most of our lives for decades, most recently on ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
She's been through countless personal tragedies. And, like a true Hollywood survivor, she soldiers on, including with brother Donny in their long-running Las Vegas show.
And she's old-school Hollywood, meaning nothing's off limits if it gets the audience laughing or dancing or screaming or shouting.
Which is where her otherwise fun daytime talk show Marie (Hallmark, Monday-Friday, 12noon) sometimes gets into trouble.
On the show, Marie ably interviews celebrities like Betty White (Monday) and Fran Drescher (Tuesday). She gets tips on cooking, healthy living and technology from guest experts.
Marie is a fun show that, in time, could be a go-to daytime show right alongside Dr. Phil, Katie and Rachael Ray.
But Marie is not quite there yet.
The show stumbles when Marie tries too hard. Harking back to that old-Hollywood "the show must go on" approach, she seems uncomfortable with quiet moments. Seemingly panicking when there are lulls - that more seasoned talk show hosts let be - she strains to get the audience laughing or engaged.
Maybe it's her years working big theaters, but Marie also works a bit too hard to keep the show's nonexistent nosebleed section engaged.
Still, despite its stumbles, Marie has all the ingredients of a perfectly good daytime talk show, not unlike Rachael Ray where it's a little bit celebrity, a little bit caring for the home and a little bit engaging with the studio audience.
Here's to hoping Marie settles in, embraces the show's intimate setting and learns to make the most of those quiet moments.
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