Inside Look @ The Osbournes

by

Mike & Amy Nappa

FAST LOOK:

In this hit MTV show, viewers spy on former Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his family, including Ozzy’s wife and manager, Sharon, and two of his children, teenagers Kelly and Jack. 

INSIDE SCOOP:

Ozzy Osbourne was a shock rocker long before Marilyn Manson hit the airwaves. He was known for biting the head off a bat during a concert, for music with Satanic overtones, and was accused of inciting listeners to suicide. Along the way he married his manager’s daughter, Sharon, and she took over his act. Married since 1982, the couple have three children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. When they moved into a Beverly Hills mansion this year, MTV struck a deal with the Osbourne family (with Aimee opting out) that allowed them to place dozens of cameras in the house. Millions of Americans watched The Osbournes during their first season, making it MTV’s best series ever, and millions are watching them again this season. The popularity of the show has led to a CD with the favorite songs of the Osbourne family, Osbourne sleepwear, mugs, toys bearing names of family members, and other licensed products.

Those who love the show say the Osbourne household celebrates families. Just like every other American mom and dad, Ozzy and Sharon are concerned about the kids being out too late, smoking, or doing drugs. The show observes as everyone pitches in and helps with washing dishes, taking out the trash, and other chores. Dad lounges with a diet soft drink while watching the History Channel. The kids quarrel, are embarrassed when Ozzy and Sharon snuggle and smooch, and have birthday parties just like every other teenager.

Others have trouble celebrating a family like the Osbournes. After all, how many “typical” families use profanity with such gusto? (At times it’s difficult to understand the show’s dialogue because so much has been “bleeped” out.) What typical family casually chats about the time Dad tried to kill Mom? What normal dad has publicly struggled with drug and alcohol addictions? Who let’s their kids wear bizarre hairstyles and clothing? Why would a family like this deserve our precious time and be held up as role models?

Perhaps viewers love this show because it’s more typical of their lives than they like to admit. The Brady Bunch and the Huxtables showed only one segment of family life, and more families resemble the Osbournes than ever before. Even if you don’t recognize your family when you turn on The Osbournes, many people do see themselves—and take comfort in knowing there’s someone else out there who’s keeping it all together in spite of the problems.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT The Osbournes:

“This is a sad family, it is a sad case. The children are sad, and the parents are sad. And this is not entertainment.”

—Bill Cosby

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“We are truly overwhelmed by the incredible response to the show. We never expected that by inviting MTV into our home, we’d get such a positive reaction from fans young and old.”

— Sharon Osbourne

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“Ozzy was not a demon, he didn’t kill people or crush puppy dogs on stage, he didn’t drive people to insanity. Instead, it became clear that he . . . well that he was just as normal as the rest of us.”

—Dale Sherman at Reality News Online

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“As weird as they are, they are a loving family.... It’s a great bonding thing.”

Glenn Padnick, president of Castle Rock TV

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“Philosophically, The Osbournes reeks of dysfunction, negligence and immorality.”

Steven Isaac, Plugged In

LOOKING INSIDE…:      

Use these questions to spark family discussion about The Osbournes:

---What is a “normal” family? According to your definition, is the Osbourne family normal or not? How does your own family rate by this definition?

---Why do you think watching other families struggle with everyday issues is so appealing? Which issues that the Osbournes deal with are common in your home? Which of their struggles are ones you could never imagine in your home?

---What would others learn about your family if cameras were hidden throughout your home? Would the show be entertaining? Boring? A means for others to learn about God?

[SIDEBAR]

If members of your family like The Osbournes, then you may want to check out:

---Frontier House (PBS)

Producers of Frontier House placed three families in a recreated Montana circa 1883. The families had to live as homesteaders on 160-acre plots of land. They had to build homes, hunt, grow, or catch their food, and live without any modern conveniences. The show follows the families through several months, then back to their modern lives. While it’s still “reality” TV, Frontier House has enough instructive value that PBS created materials for educators to use alongside the show. Check PBS listings to learn when the series will next repeat.

If members of your family like the music of Ozzy Osbourne, then you may want to check out:

---Lift by Audio Adrenaline (ForeFront Records)

Get all the metal, drums, and all-out rock you want from four guys who are blatant about their faith in Jesus Christ. With their latest album, Lift, Audio Adrenaline both praise God and joyfully proclaim their love for him. Songs like “You Still Amaze Me,” “Rejoice,” and “Beautiful,” express the awe and joy of life with Christ, while other songs cry out to God for comfort and mercy. Anyone who loves to crank it up will be lifted by Lift.

[END]

[BIO LINE] Mike & Amy Nappa are renowned cultural commentators, best-selling and award-winning authors, and creators of the Internet magazine for families, www.FamilyFans.com