September 9 (1972-09-09) โ December 23, 1972 (1972-12-23)
The Osmonds is a 1972 ABC-TVSaturday morning cartoon series produced by Rankin/Bass Productions starring the Osmond Brothers.[1] Each episode features the family in a different location around the world, with young Jimmy's antics usually driving the plot of the episode. As with most television series oriented around bands, the Osmonds' songs were featured prominently in the series. The series also featured their talking pet dog, Fuji.[2]Marie Osmond did not appear in the series (save for being briefly depicted in "Transylvania,") as she would not make her performing debut until 1973. An abridged version of their hit song "One Bad Apple" was used for the opening and closing credits of the show.
Each episode features one song by the Osmonds as a group and one solo song by either Donny or Jimmy. Songs are followed by the albums on which they were included. Most of the Osmonds group songs came from their rock-era albums Phase III and Crazy Horses.
No.
Title
Original air date
1
"And Away They Go"
September 9, 1972 (1972-09-09)
The pilot episode introduces the six brothers, their talking pet dog Fuji, and Donny's biggest fan, Hortense Bird. The brothers have a chance to audition to go around the world, but Jimmy and Fuji ruin their chances.
The Osmonds visit Australia, where a kangaroo falls in love with Jimmy.
Songs: "It's You Babe" (Phase III), "Lonely Boy" (Donny solo, Too Young)
13
"Transylvania"
November 25, 1972 (1972-11-25)
The Osmonds are invited to a vampire's party.
Songs: "Killer Joe" (Jimmy solo, Killer Joe), "We All Fall Down" (Crazy Horses)
14
"Rio"
December 2, 1972 (1972-12-02)
The brothers visit Rio and Jimmy gets lost at a costume contest.
Songs: "Pretty Blue Eyes" (Donny solo, Too Young), "Hey Mr. Taxi" (Crazy Horses)
15
"Don Osmondo in Spain"
December 9, 1972 (1972-12-09)
The brothers arrive in Spain and Donny becomes a bullfighter to impress a girl.
Songs: "Puppy Love" (Donny solo, Portrait Of Donny), "Yo-Yo" (Phase III)
Note: This episode aired on Donny Osmond's 15th birthday.
16
"Luck of The Osmonds"
December 16, 1972 (1972-12-16)
The brothers arrive in Ireland and Jimmy is mistaken for a leprechaun.
Note: This episode's air date coincided with Jimmy's "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool" reaching "Christmas number one" in the United Kingdom.
17
"Coming Home to Utah"
December 23, 1972 (1972-12-23)
After 15 weeks (or in this case, episodes) of touring around the world, the Osmonds return to their home state of Utah.
Songs: "Utah" (Crazy Horses), "Too Young" (Donny solo, Too Young)
Note: Rankin/Bass planned a live-action finale featuring the real Osmonds, who would discuss all their adventures touring the world during the series, and the many friends they made along the way. They would also thank the viewers for supporting their travels, and also hope to tour the world again, only this time, for real. However, the finale did not materialise.
^Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 597. ISBN978-1476665993.
^Iverson, Paul R. (February 1994, rev. December 2012), "The Advent of the Laugh Track" (2nd ed.), Hempstead, New York: Hofstra University archives Check date values in: |date= (help)
^Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 437โ438. ISBN978-1538103739.