This entry was posted on 8/8/2006 8:09 PM and is filed under Entertainment.
I have a new favorite show.
In my opinion A & E has hit a home run with the new reality show, Gene Simmons: Family Jewels featuring KISS bassman Gene Simmons and his family.
Of course every male in my generation is familiar with the Demon persona of Simmons and we all were influenced, at least a little, by the driving rhythms of the Destroyer album (not to mention that the soundtrack to our make out sessions always included the song Beth).
Add to these memories the other family reality shows involving Ozzie and his family and the more recent Hogan Knows Best featuring the Hulkster and I was totally unprepared for Family Jewels.
Unlike the dysfunctional Osbourne kids Nick (17) and Sophie (13) Simmons seem to be remarkably well adjusted and…gasp…not prone to dropping the f bomb in every sentence.
Shannon Tweed, the still incredibly gorgeous star of numerous soft core and B movies and former playmate, has been with Simmons for twenty years and is obviously adored by Gene and the two kids and adores in return.
I read a couple of reviews describing Gene as controlling, but I really think they missed the point. Simmons is a merchandising genius selling not only the gazillion different pieces of KISS merchandise but also his persona as a rock god. Nevertheless, he is obviously devoted to his family, who take his antics with a grain of salt, often making him the butt of jokes but always in a fun and loving, never mean, way.
One piece of the show I thought was hilarious was when Nick was practicing with his rock band and Gene called downstairs to tell him the band was playing too loud. How often did we hear that when we cranked up Detroit Rock City on the record player (remember those?)
I would highly recommend this show for, if nothing else, look at kids that prove being rich doesn’t necessarily make you dysfunctional. Kudos to Gene and Shannon for their abilities as parents.
