Gene Simmons - Family Jewels on A&E

[Lzen]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm really not into the whole reality show fad that's been dominating television for the past 5 years or so. However, a couple of recent shows have piqued my interest.

The newest one is Gene Simmons - Family Jewels, which debuted last night on A & E. They showed 2 episodes back to back. I didn't think I'd be that interested when I first saw the previews, but I gotta say that I enjoyed it. Simmons is a character. And his family seems like a typical family (other than the being rich and famous part). This isn't like Ozzy's show where everyone watched it because people can't help but watch a disaster(the Osbournes is/was like watching a car wreck).

[Brock]

Originally Posted by scott free

Also, lets not forget that Sabbath opened for KISS... not the other way around. Not that Sabbath isnt made of pure awesome, but one opened for the other.

Uh, gonna need a link on that.

[Third Eye]

Originally Posted by Backwards Masking

LOL at everybody praising Gene over Ozzy based on enunciation and family values. Gene wasn't the druggie Ozzy was, no, but Ozzy wasn't the Pussy Hound Gene was.

Ozzy had, still has, and always will have (at least 'til he dies) more musical talent than Gene.

Black Sabbath > Kiss

Ozzy > Gene

This is utterly off-topic, but regardless, Ozzy was (and I stress was, considering the garbage he has put out for the last 15 years) an overrated musician. His greatest asset has been in being surrounded by great musicians. Black Sabbath was Tony Iommi, plain and simple.

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by JD10367

What the **** are you babbling about? Where did anyone "praise Gene over Ozzy based on enunciation and family values"? And what does either show have to do with their musical abilities?

Several people said Gene did a better job raising his kids than Ozzy did (I can't disagree).

Nothing. Just sayin'.

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by Third Eye

This is utterly off-topic, but regardless, Ozzy was (and I stress was, considering the garbage he has put out for the last 15 years) an overrated musician. His greatest asset has been in being surrounded by great musicians. Black Sabbath was Tony Iommi, plain and simple.

I notice you didn't disagree when I said he was more musically gifted than Gene....

You're right about Tomy Iommi was Black Sabbath, but Ozzy's greatest asset has always been his voice. His supporting cast has always been good, but no one has ever sounded like Ozzy, especially in the 70's. Though lots have tried.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Brock

Uh, gonna need a link on that.

Gimme a few minutes, i'll try, but its real. I watched an Ozzy interview talking about it, they opened for KISS somewhere in NY & were bitching that KISS got all of the hot girls afterwards & they were happy to get the leftovers.

Gene also pulled an ego trip on Iommi by walking up to him in full regalia, towering over him & said something to the effect of 'were going to kick your ass'.

Edit - nevermind, i had it backwards.

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by scott free

Gimme a few minutes, i'll try, but its real. I watched an Ozzy interview talking about it, they opened for KISS somewhere in NY & were bitching that KISS got all of the hot girls afterwards & they were happy to get the leftovers.

Gene also pulled an ego trip on Iommi by walking up to him in full regalia, towering over him & said something to the effect of 'were going to kick your ass'.

Edit - nevermind, i had it backwards.

I know for a fact Rush used to open for Kiss. Gene would always invite them to party after the show with groupies, booze, drugs etc. Rush would always decline and then go back to their rooms and read books and listen to opera LOL. Gene and Geddy couldn't be more different.

[CoMoChief]

I'd still nail the living shit out of Shannon Tweed.

Oh how I miss those days of late night Cinemax porno during my teen years.

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

I'd still nail the living shit out of Shannon Tweed.

Oh how I miss those days of late night Cinemax porno during my teen years.

Those were great, weren't they? Shannon got me though many a lonely night as a pre teen.

Ever seen that episode of Married With Children where Al and Jefferson snap a nudie pic of Shannon cheating and are gonna sell it to tabloids but Shannon uses her sexiness on Al to convince him to eat oit? Classic.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Backwards Masking

I know for a fact Rush used to open for Kiss. Gene would always invite them to party after the show with groupies, booze, drugs etc. Rush would always decline and then go back to their rooms and read books and listen to opera LOL. Gene and Geddy couldn't be more different.

You're right they did, but i had the Sabbath opening for KISS thing backwards.

But where in the world did you hear that KISS was into drugs? Gene & Paul have never been into drugs, at all.

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by scott free

You're right they did, but i had the Sabbath opening for KISS thing backwards.

But where in the world did you hear that KISS was into drugs? Gene & Paul have never been into drugs, at all.

i never said they were, in fact ealier in the thread i said Gene Wasn't the Druggie Ozzy was. But you know there was still stuff backstage, and what about the other two members of Kiss?

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by JD10367

I don't know what you see that makes you think it's scripted.

Well, Gene, Shannon, and the shrink always wearing the exact same clothes during the counseling scenes doesn't help the realism. Seriously, if you're going to film all those scenes in one day, at least change your outfit a few times.

Using actors to play everyday people, as they've done in previous seasons, doesn't exactly put forth a strong feeling of realism either. There's an episode where Shannon and her sister buy something in an antique store and find these old love letters in it. So they track down the woman who the letters were sent to, who's now an old lady.

The first time I saw that episode, literally, the very same day, I saw the same old lady on a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Backwards Masking

i never said they were, in fact ealier in the thread i said Gene Wasn't the Druggie Ozzy was. But you know there was still stuff backstage, and what about the other two members of Kiss?

Gene & Paul have always maintained that they've never touched anything but booze & i totally believe that, something would've got out by now. Ace & Peter? you seem well versed enough to know that deal.

[Jawshco]

Originally Posted by BigRock

Well, Gene, Shannon, and the shrink always wearing the exact same clothes during the counseling scenes doesn't help the realism. Seriously, if you're going to film all those scenes in one day, at least change your outfit a few times.

Using actors to play everyday people, as they've done in previous seasons, doesn't exactly put forth a strong feeling of realism either. There's an episode where Shannon and her sister buy something in an antique store and find these old love letters in it. So they track down the woman who the letters were sent to, who's now an old lady.

The first time I saw that episode, literally, the very same day, I saw the same old lady on a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Everything in the show seems very intentional. The entire show in Canada was a big set up to show the contrast from the last episode and to highight Gene's weaknesses as a partner to Shannon.

Comparing Ozzy and Gene musically is tough. Both have huge hits. Ozzy was more influential overall, but KISS is pretty high up there too. I prefer Sabbath & agree that Ozzy thrived off of being around talented musicians (Geezer Butler even wrote most of his lyrics in Sabbath), but I respect Gene too. Musicians give Gene flack for being crap bassist, but as a bassist- the guy is solid and writes some cool licks. He's not in Geddy's league, but he doesn't need to be. That quick lick of his in Detroit Rock City is as technical as Gene ever need be, and it's awesome because of that. And I prefer Gene's singing to Paul's FWIW.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Jawshco

Everything in the show seems very intentional. The entire show in Canada was a big set up to show the contrast from the last episode and to highight Gene's weaknesses as a partner to Shannon.

Comparing Ozzy and Gene musically is tough. Both have huge hits. Ozzy was more influential overall, but KISS is pretty high up there too. I prefer Sabbath & agree that Ozzy thrived off of being around talented musicians (Geezer Butler even wrote most of his lyrics in Sabbath), but I respect Gene too. Musicians give Gene flack for being crap bassist, but as a bassist- the guy is solid and writes some cool licks. He's not in Geddy's league, but he doesn't need to be. That quick lick of his in Detroit Rock City is as technical as Gene ever need be, and it's awesome because of that. And I prefer Gene's singing to Paul's FWIW.

Dammer! you had me right up to where you said Genes a better singer than Paul.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Backwards Masking

LOL at everybody praising Gene over Ozzy based on enunciation and family values. Gene wasn't the druggie Ozzy was, no, but Ozzy wasn't the Pussy Hound Gene was.

Ozzy had, still has, and always will have (at least 'til he dies) more musical talent than Gene.

Black Sabbath > Kiss

Ozzy > Gene

While I agree that Black Sabbath > Kiss, wtf does this have to do with the tv shows? I like Gene's show much better than Ozzy's. Neither show has much to do with musical talent. But I got bored with Family Jewels by the 2nd season. I didn't watch it past that.