She might not have been the person anyone would have pegged to be a breakout star on Dancing with the Stars 5, but Marie Osmond did turn out to be one of the most popular contestants on the last season of the show.

Since then, there's been speculation as to what direction her career would take next, and now, it's been confirmed.

Marie just made a surprise appearance at the the National Association of Television Program Executives conference in Las Vegas, with the announcement that she'll be returning to TV as the host of a daytime talk show.


Although it would seem like she should capitalize now on the momentum from Dancing with the Stars 5, her new chat show isn't currently scheduled to launch until Fall 2009. The show will be called Marie.

Don't expect her to focus on sensationalist topics, though. She's said, “"It will be a real feel-good show," she said.”I've been through a lot of things in life and have no problem talking about it. Women need a safe place where they can laugh, feel good and relate to (other women)."

The positive take won't mean that she shies away from difficult subject. She's said she plans to draw from her own experience as a divorced working mom with eight kids, her postpartum depression, adoption, and other personal topics.

“I see a lot of women and I'm a single mom, we all kind of gone through all the stuff, the gamut,” she said. “And I don't have a bazillion nannies. I have eight kids. I do it myself. But there are a lot of women out there in the same boat. And I really believe there is a destination for hope and happiness. Not just day-to-day stuff, but just real fun, real things women can relate to.”

The Dancing with the Stars 5 alum is keeping a sunny outlook in general these days. She's said, “I feel so blessed to still be here,” Osmond said. “I mean, truly. I'm one of these strange women that has had a 40-year career.”

- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MSNBC, The Hollywood Reporter
(Image courtesy of ABC)