Gene Simmons: "Family Jewels" is just fabulous a neat and nice reality show now in it's second season on A&E is very entertaining and informative to watch. The story lines are good, ranging from Gene traveling around the country to do appearances and even to serve as a grand Marshall of a parade! It gives an inside look at this rock legends house, personal collection of hobbies and it shows his cool and emotional side. Also the show shows footage of years back of home movies taken of him and the family members together. Plus it's all right to see his partner and female friend the ever hot and sexy Shannon Tweed! Many episodes have focused on Gene and Shannon's love like getting married, Shannon wanting to have another baby, her putting Gene on a diet, and even both going in for plastic surgery! Now that's some good realistic stories for a famous couple. The children of Gene and Shannon are also shown both Nick and Sophie are growing up, and Sophie appears to be another beauty in the making like her mother! Overall a pretty good reality show of a rock legend and his family, and most of all you will love the episodes when Gene goes back to visit his mother still living in New York. So good to see that a man with a painted face and huge tongue lives such an interesting and entertaining life!
20 Reviews
Gene Simmons Is More Married Than Married Men
sdjar4220 January 2007
I love this show, I am pleasantly surprised at the down to earth family life of Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed. In spite of his stardom, Gene allows his son to be a prince too. This just says worlds about his character. And he loves his Mom!!!! The Simmons are delightful, funny and smart. I hope we get more of "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels". As a side note, I am moved by Gene's Mother's history. She instilled in her son the ability to love brilliantly. His partner and children reflect this love in their lovingness as does his mom. I am struck , not with the wealth but the wealth of love in this family. I strongly recommend this show to everyone I know and really hope for it's success.
A scripted version of "The Osbournes"
cmay20055 May 2008
Following the success of "The Osbournes", Gene Simmons (co-founder member of rock band Kiss) opens the doors to his mansion in a successful attempt to introduce the rest of the family to the show business. As well as Jack and Kelly Osbourne, Nick and Sophie intend to keep up the family tradition: with Nick follow his father's steps, as front-man of a rock band; and Sophie divided between posing for the camera, as her mother, and picking up a microphone, like her father. Nevertheless, with the division of opinions about the young Simmons, their success isn't clear.
Going back to the program; even though the series is presented as a reality show, the lack of spontaneity and the awful acting from the stars and extras are two clear giveaways to the fact that each of the episodes are scripted and staged. The clever part is that as a result, the spectator is captivated by a family that is perfect in all senses: smart, pretty, loving, caring, funny, interesting, and the list goes on In a nutshell, the utopian family that all of us dream of. I wonder how different my life would be with someone scripting it!!!
And to wrap it, the fact that nothing we see happens for real, takes away all the freshness and fun from the program, which so often seems exaggerated and surreal; leaving it a good step behind "The Osbournes".
Going back to the program; even though the series is presented as a reality show, the lack of spontaneity and the awful acting from the stars and extras are two clear giveaways to the fact that each of the episodes are scripted and staged. The clever part is that as a result, the spectator is captivated by a family that is perfect in all senses: smart, pretty, loving, caring, funny, interesting, and the list goes on In a nutshell, the utopian family that all of us dream of. I wonder how different my life would be with someone scripting it!!!
And to wrap it, the fact that nothing we see happens for real, takes away all the freshness and fun from the program, which so often seems exaggerated and surreal; leaving it a good step behind "The Osbournes".
Refreshing!!!
rinkedo10 August 2006
I watched the Osbornes for awhile. Flashy dysfunctional is tiring.
I think Gene Simmon's Family Jewels is a hoot! The family is decent and loving, with nice friends and relatives. They run their own household, and the kids go to public school. It's easy to see the wheels turning in Gene's head: Marketing, public relations, investments, his rock star image played carefully- He colors his hair, remember?. And, Kiss Demon or not, the guy's 57, and his love and family are very important to him. Some think his family is so conventional it's boring. We'll see. Others said some unkind things about Shannon and were unforgiving about her past. Fooey on them, I think she's fun. It was inevitable that many would compare 'Family Jewels' to the "Osbournes" There's nothing wrong with a family that doesn't have substance abuse problems, or doesn't drink a whole lot. This way we get to know the family a little bit better. There's no sustaining entertainment in drug use or alcoholism, and any child who has to grow up in those conditions deserves better.
I think Gene Simmon's Family Jewels is a hoot! The family is decent and loving, with nice friends and relatives. They run their own household, and the kids go to public school. It's easy to see the wheels turning in Gene's head: Marketing, public relations, investments, his rock star image played carefully- He colors his hair, remember?. And, Kiss Demon or not, the guy's 57, and his love and family are very important to him. Some think his family is so conventional it's boring. We'll see. Others said some unkind things about Shannon and were unforgiving about her past. Fooey on them, I think she's fun. It was inevitable that many would compare 'Family Jewels' to the "Osbournes" There's nothing wrong with a family that doesn't have substance abuse problems, or doesn't drink a whole lot. This way we get to know the family a little bit better. There's no sustaining entertainment in drug use or alcoholism, and any child who has to grow up in those conditions deserves better.
Wow - how pathetic
vampyrecowboy21 August 2009
Another letdown in television - which is why I don't really enjoy watching television shows.
Bad movies I can forgive - even the totally horrible ones, but television I can't...especially the so-called "reality" shows.
This is so far fetched, it's horrible. It's beyond horrible.
What is so good about this that it has a second or third season? Nothing! The guy is a self centred, pompous, ignorant DICK.
He makes everybody who is not his family seem to be his subordinates and his personal beating ground.
Maybe it's written this way and maybe even this part may be real - however - it is pretty sad to see on every show. It is sad to see how he degrades people for either amusement or his self pride, which appears to be over-hyped.
While KISS may have been a big band in the 70's and early 80's and even to some degree - awesome; in 2009 they are faded like well worn jeans.
He has no sparkle, he has no charm, his intelligence is below average and his family supports him with high praise for it.
In the episodes I've watched, all he does is seem to gloat about how big and special he is. Really he's not.
For him to walk around town in a carefree manner and not show dignity to fellow people who ask him for autographs when he is stranded in a desert or to ignore them when they stop him on the street and wave - is direful to wathc and also mundane.
To see atrocious "real" events where the family loses or damages his KISS artifacts and souvenirs and then to have to shop around the LA area to get them back was just retarded. If they didn't replace them, GENE would be upset. WHAT CROCK! Gene's car breaks down on the highway and he needs a lift into town...but yet even with a camera crew beside him, cars pass him by and he has to walk. BULL! Then he gets into town and with camera crew in tow, he can not get a ride to Vegas or use a phone...yeah, whatever. Nobody wants to help him - the poor soul.
Then his son goes to a hotel and has to rent a room and sleep with all his band mates in a single bed...even though the rest of the motel rooms are close to empty. (maybe they ran out of money...oh have pity on them.) Not only that, but after the first night staying in the motel, their van is broken into and all their gear stolen - while being parked outside their room!!! Unbelievable? No - it's true....really! There was a camera crew to film it all - and in such a small town also - where there is nobody around. Where crime is next to zero...in a van which has almost no windows; there's was the only van vandalized and property stolen! Yeah - really!!! To me, the show comes off as a hyped up, pshycotic episodes of ignorant, callus, self indulgent, greedy shallow people who have nothing better to do than fuel up Gene's ageing ego with flattery and Shannon's failing beauty.
She used to be hot and like every other female and male model and non-model, loses her looks as she's priming on - however we are not able to forget that she was a centrefold - because it's borough up in every episode, every few minutes - just in case we forget it.
Well she wasn't hot then and she's a mess now.
All the makeup and hair-dye will not cover it.
Comparable to THE OSBOURNES, this is even worse.
Yep, Gene's got some cash and he loves to flash it around and let us know and by creating this sad product, we are sadly giving him even more.
Bad movies I can forgive - even the totally horrible ones, but television I can't...especially the so-called "reality" shows.
This is so far fetched, it's horrible. It's beyond horrible.
What is so good about this that it has a second or third season? Nothing! The guy is a self centred, pompous, ignorant DICK.
He makes everybody who is not his family seem to be his subordinates and his personal beating ground.
Maybe it's written this way and maybe even this part may be real - however - it is pretty sad to see on every show. It is sad to see how he degrades people for either amusement or his self pride, which appears to be over-hyped.
While KISS may have been a big band in the 70's and early 80's and even to some degree - awesome; in 2009 they are faded like well worn jeans.
He has no sparkle, he has no charm, his intelligence is below average and his family supports him with high praise for it.
In the episodes I've watched, all he does is seem to gloat about how big and special he is. Really he's not.
For him to walk around town in a carefree manner and not show dignity to fellow people who ask him for autographs when he is stranded in a desert or to ignore them when they stop him on the street and wave - is direful to wathc and also mundane.
To see atrocious "real" events where the family loses or damages his KISS artifacts and souvenirs and then to have to shop around the LA area to get them back was just retarded. If they didn't replace them, GENE would be upset. WHAT CROCK! Gene's car breaks down on the highway and he needs a lift into town...but yet even with a camera crew beside him, cars pass him by and he has to walk. BULL! Then he gets into town and with camera crew in tow, he can not get a ride to Vegas or use a phone...yeah, whatever. Nobody wants to help him - the poor soul.
Then his son goes to a hotel and has to rent a room and sleep with all his band mates in a single bed...even though the rest of the motel rooms are close to empty. (maybe they ran out of money...oh have pity on them.) Not only that, but after the first night staying in the motel, their van is broken into and all their gear stolen - while being parked outside their room!!! Unbelievable? No - it's true....really! There was a camera crew to film it all - and in such a small town also - where there is nobody around. Where crime is next to zero...in a van which has almost no windows; there's was the only van vandalized and property stolen! Yeah - really!!! To me, the show comes off as a hyped up, pshycotic episodes of ignorant, callus, self indulgent, greedy shallow people who have nothing better to do than fuel up Gene's ageing ego with flattery and Shannon's failing beauty.
She used to be hot and like every other female and male model and non-model, loses her looks as she's priming on - however we are not able to forget that she was a centrefold - because it's borough up in every episode, every few minutes - just in case we forget it.
Well she wasn't hot then and she's a mess now.
All the makeup and hair-dye will not cover it.
Comparable to THE OSBOURNES, this is even worse.
Yep, Gene's got some cash and he loves to flash it around and let us know and by creating this sad product, we are sadly giving him even more.
"This...looks like a groupie. Do not talk to her."
SumrKindofWonderful10 August 2006
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels is a fresh, entertaining, and enjoyable show.
Unlike the Osbournes, Gene's children - Nick and Sophie - have obvious respect for their parents and are amazing at improv. This show has non-stop laughs that aren't cheap, and leave you thinking about them for a while. The episodes are watchable over and over, and never seem to get old.
Family Jewels has little to no faults. I personally cannot think of any - it's just a great show! I greatly encourage all to take a peak, you won't be disappointed!
Unlike the Osbournes, Gene's children - Nick and Sophie - have obvious respect for their parents and are amazing at improv. This show has non-stop laughs that aren't cheap, and leave you thinking about them for a while. The episodes are watchable over and over, and never seem to get old.
Family Jewels has little to no faults. I personally cannot think of any - it's just a great show! I greatly encourage all to take a peak, you won't be disappointed!
Who needs PR when you can get a reality show and create your own reality?
Nick Zbu28 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
What happens to people who were famous and now aren't? What if they want to bring their names back into the press for some more fame but to make your fans that your life is anything like theirs? This is the new breed of reality show, and Gene Simmons is out to prove that he's not all oilpaint and bad '70s rock. In fact, he's more than his bloated office full of awards and meetings with people who do the heavy lifting in his billionaire-style life. Of course, this is all a lie, and the reality is that Gene Simmons wants you to like him so he can feel better about his 'fame' and resurgent fame due to the ironic trends in force today. And his family wants to feel better about themselves preening for the camera and not looking like they're indulging in too much nepotism.
This show is essentially a handjob for a fading '70s rocker who is nothing without his face paint, his wife, and his talentless offspring. They could be the nicest people in real life, but given they're using a show for PR to boost their respective careers and give Gene an ego boost several years past his prime, it comes off as phony. What we are seeing here is a bunch of celebrities co-opting a pathetic TV genre for their own amusement to sell themselves and to remind everybody that they're not dead yet. As a bonus, the kids can get a leg up to everybody not in Hollywood that they exist and can get some cash and maybe some sympathy for having trust funds. The people who watch get the illusion that big stars are just like us and the stars themselves get to feel like their time is not yet gone...except they're shilling on a pathetic copycat network.
Get some dignity, realize rich people just want your sympathy, and move on with your life. Do something constructive besides watching a rock star try to relieve his glory days when nobody knew what he really looked like.
This show is essentially a handjob for a fading '70s rocker who is nothing without his face paint, his wife, and his talentless offspring. They could be the nicest people in real life, but given they're using a show for PR to boost their respective careers and give Gene an ego boost several years past his prime, it comes off as phony. What we are seeing here is a bunch of celebrities co-opting a pathetic TV genre for their own amusement to sell themselves and to remind everybody that they're not dead yet. As a bonus, the kids can get a leg up to everybody not in Hollywood that they exist and can get some cash and maybe some sympathy for having trust funds. The people who watch get the illusion that big stars are just like us and the stars themselves get to feel like their time is not yet gone...except they're shilling on a pathetic copycat network.
Get some dignity, realize rich people just want your sympathy, and move on with your life. Do something constructive besides watching a rock star try to relieve his glory days when nobody knew what he really looked like.
Not spontaneous, but entertaining
makeham9815 August 2006
There's little shocking about this latest "reality" family series. Unlike The Osbournes, the parents don't act like degenerate morons.
Gene Simmons is a very calculated entertainer who slips into the "overmatched father" role slickly, his wife is somewhat on the outside looking in, and the kids obviously know how to get the upper hand on dad. Much better than the Hulk Hogan dreck, where he's just pushing his amazon daughter's pedestrian singing career down our throats.
Simmons appears to be fully in control and can provide a lighthearted half-hour, complete with "I am the top dog" mishaps with his son, and "that skirt's too short" with his daughter.
I enjoy it for what it is.
Gene Simmons is a very calculated entertainer who slips into the "overmatched father" role slickly, his wife is somewhat on the outside looking in, and the kids obviously know how to get the upper hand on dad. Much better than the Hulk Hogan dreck, where he's just pushing his amazon daughter's pedestrian singing career down our throats.
Simmons appears to be fully in control and can provide a lighthearted half-hour, complete with "I am the top dog" mishaps with his son, and "that skirt's too short" with his daughter.
I enjoy it for what it is.
Awful - Totally Scripted Show!!!
zira190511 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
1) The show is a rip off of the Osbourne's 2) they have no personalities 3) its like a cheap boring versions of the Osbourne's 4) kids are geeks 5) The show is cut together dreadfully - looks like a media student did it in their spare time. 6) the show is dreadful and comes across as totally scripted 7)If only they could act! 8) It comes across like the family is fictional 9) "The Waltons 2006" Should have been the title 10) to conclude your better of twiddling your thumbs that watching this crap.
They got it wrong when they devised this Gene should stick to Rock school!
They got it wrong when they devised this Gene should stick to Rock school!
Why is this considered "reality"?
zstanman-17 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Gene Simmons Family Jewels is touted as a "reality" show about Gene Simmons of Kiss, along with his girl friend Shannon Tweed and their two kids Nick (still living with mommy and daddy but really girls, I'm cool) and Sophie who seems like a true gem. It's sad that we've become so gullible that we'll believe something is "real" just because the TV tells us it is. The show is scripted and the situations in which Gene finds himself rival "I Love Lucy". This show started off great but the need to top itself constantly with idiotic situations more ridiculous than the last gets very old. Whose reality? It certainly is not the reality of the Simmons family and it is not remotely close to the reality of any other family. I would be happy watching the actual reality of this family, not the script someone came up with. Gene, when you use actors as police officers to arrest you, at least find a real cop to supervise so that your actor doesn't tell "dispatch" he has a "211" (which is robbery) when you are talking to "prostitutes".
Another waste of time!
bellab19722 January 2013
These so called reality shows are becoming a menace on TV! I can't believe how many "reality shows" are being produced! Yes, I can, they are cheap, easy to make and idiots watch them! If anyone believes that any of these reality shows are a snapshot of real life then they are idiots! I believe that these shows are detrimental to the younger generation because there are impressionable youngsters that follow the kardashians and crap like this show and strive for a similar life which doesn't exist!
This show is another example of scripted bullsh..t that pretends to be real life! Simmons should retire with dignity if that is possible for a self professed hoare that treats women like middle eastern scum!
Shannon, or what ever her name is, is very inappropriate with her son! My god, I would never say do you want a little head as a joke to my son! Maybe the Botox and fillers have seeped into her brain! The script writers for this show should be ashamed along with the producers of crap like this! The only people who love this show are Kiss fans who don't care that the lead singer had to hide his face due to being so grotesque! Why do you think they hid their faces? He is awful and I wouldn't go near him! I bet he had to wear the makeup to pick up women because on looks and personality he would still be a virgin! I am sick of these shows and can't wait for quality programs to be produced but I am afraid that because simpletons are watching this crap the producers will continue to make poor quality programs! It is up to us, the public to wake up and stop the wave of so called reality programs if we want a selection of good programs!
This show is another example of scripted bullsh..t that pretends to be real life! Simmons should retire with dignity if that is possible for a self professed hoare that treats women like middle eastern scum!
Shannon, or what ever her name is, is very inappropriate with her son! My god, I would never say do you want a little head as a joke to my son! Maybe the Botox and fillers have seeped into her brain! The script writers for this show should be ashamed along with the producers of crap like this! The only people who love this show are Kiss fans who don't care that the lead singer had to hide his face due to being so grotesque! Why do you think they hid their faces? He is awful and I wouldn't go near him! I bet he had to wear the makeup to pick up women because on looks and personality he would still be a virgin! I am sick of these shows and can't wait for quality programs to be produced but I am afraid that because simpletons are watching this crap the producers will continue to make poor quality programs! It is up to us, the public to wake up and stop the wave of so called reality programs if we want a selection of good programs!
My new favorite show -- very funny!
vicci-416 August 2006
This is my new favorite show!! This family is hilarious. I'm not usually a big fan of shows like that -- only watched "The Osbourne's" once or twice, just to see what all the fuss was about. I read a review and decided to check out the show and have not been disappointed. Not a dysfunctional family (how refreshing) -- pretty typical, actually. But really, really funny. Gene's ego is soooo big and I love how they have fun with that. The driving episode had me laughing so hard I had tears. My 17 year old son really likes it too. I'm recommending it to all of my friends. Hopefully, they won't run out of ideas and get enough buzz going to keep this one on the air.
Fantastic!!
mallratterri16 August 2006
I was at first leery of the show when it was advertised. All I could think of was "Oh God another train wreck like the Osbornes". I was totally amazed at how good this show is.
Yes it is a "reality show" so I'm sure some of it is pieced together from clips, but the entire family seems to be genuine & very together. Shannon's sister Tracy is a riot especially with the "cod piece" comments. Nick and Sophie both seem to take having famous parents in stride with a sense humor.
And although I am 44 and obviously old enough to be Nick's mother, he is one hell of a hot looking guy. I can only imagine him in another 5 years!
Yes it is a "reality show" so I'm sure some of it is pieced together from clips, but the entire family seems to be genuine & very together. Shannon's sister Tracy is a riot especially with the "cod piece" comments. Nick and Sophie both seem to take having famous parents in stride with a sense humor.
And although I am 44 and obviously old enough to be Nick's mother, he is one hell of a hot looking guy. I can only imagine him in another 5 years!
Not A Reality Show
CryptoGuy24 September 2007
This is one of the better shows on television and it is not a reality show. Once you realize that you are watching an outlined sitcom, you find yourself cracking up. Much in the same vain as Curb Your Enthusiasm, this show is a "what if" look at a rock legend as he goes from situation to situation, making us laugh all the way.
The acting isn't the greatest. Or is it? Even though it is a sitcom, you find yourself wondering if this is real or not. It's a great concept that is executed perfectly. Much better than The Osbornes and quickly finding its way into the same ballpark as Curb. Brilliant work from the God Of Thunder.
I hope A&E keeps it around for a while.
The acting isn't the greatest. Or is it? Even though it is a sitcom, you find yourself wondering if this is real or not. It's a great concept that is executed perfectly. Much better than The Osbornes and quickly finding its way into the same ballpark as Curb. Brilliant work from the God Of Thunder.
I hope A&E keeps it around for a while.
comments about the show!!
cherrakee5923 October 2006
i been a kiss fan since i believe they started,to be really well known,i don't know how many albums my mother tore up or broke in the seventies, (telling my age now) but the guys have always been great, an the show is really awesome i really love, keep up the good work guys, gen an his family are some of the most awesome people to watch.they can keep you laughing all the time, he can really get into some messes. i love the show where he went somewhere an his lovely lady bought a horse, and kept it in the yard, i know his daughter had to be upset. but it was a very cute episode, myself i don't know what i would have done, more or less the same as her, just to get even, well you have a good show i hope it's on for a long time, i really do enjoy it, keep up the good work, love you all, your fan, for many years, an many to come also. seen you in,fl. yesterday, at the opening for your fragrance, not bad..keep up the good work, guys!!!!
Great show
mbrand200220028 April 2007
I'm now starting to watch the second season of family Jewel's and this is a unique show of a nice family Gene & Shannon and their two children Sophie and Nick. These kids are not the spoil brats you may see in them. these people are just ordinary kids just being themselves not always the rock family attitude. I just got through watching the episode when Gene & Shannon had surgery on their faces. When Gene came back Nick was glad to see him but Sophie looked sad and you can just tell from her face she was about to bawl her eyes which just goes to show you she's human too. At first you see this young child very strong like her mom but she does have feelings too and seeing her dad in bandages really showed it all
Great to get the Inside View
barbieroy61327 January 2012
My brother was a huge fan of KISS in his teens so, by extension, I learned every song. I was curious when I saw there was a reality show with Gene Simmons, having only seen him a few times in other programs, without makeup. The show reveals a very endearing family and very genuine and likable Gene Simmons---not to mention a very sharp, savvy business man. I really liked seeing this collective family (although they call it an un-marriage) who is so committed to each other they understand the arts of compromise, compassion, support and just genuinely being good to one another. Even if you don't know much about KISS or Gene Simmons (actually, especially if you don't), this is an interesting and worthwhile watch.
Love this show, love the family
destinblue18 February 2019
Shannon's negative comments
judyegypt22 December 2010
In a recent episode, Gene was offered a job which would require the family to move to Las Vegas. I found Shannon's comments about Sophie's future in Las Vegas to be incredibly stupid. First of all, a lot of really good people manage to support themselves and their families as poker dealers. The fact that she is worried about Sophie becoming a pole dancers speaks mostly to her parenting skills, not their living location,not to mention that these comment make me think that Shannon has no confidence in Sophie's abilities to make competent decisions about her own well being. I would think she would be more worried about Sophie becoming a PLAYBOY ho.
Gene Simmons
trainhensley18 May 2008
Gene Simmons is a cool guy and his show Gene Simmons Family Jewels is the second best high rating show on A&E right behind Dog the Bounty Hunter but I think Gene Simmon's show has been #1 since Dog the Bounty Hunter was taken off A&E due the racist rant recorded by Dog Chapman but Gene's show will be behind again because A&E reported that on June 25, 2008, Dog the Bounty Hunter will be back and they're already resuming production of the show and so Gene Simmons is nothing like Dog and So those Fugitives should run because Gene Simmons isn't there to help because the Dog is coming back to A&E and I think both Gene Simmons Family Jewels and Dog the Bounty Hunter are both great hit shows on A&E.
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