October 3, 2006
Gene Simmon's Family Jewels
Whether or not you were a KISS fan back in the day, it's hard not to appreciate the iconic image Gene Simmons has built. A&E has a new reality series called Gene Simmons Family Values, based on the lead singer of KISS and if you were expecting a version of the Osbornes, think again. The series highlights his girlfriend of twenty plus years, Shannon Tweed (former Playboy model) and their two smartass teenage kids, Nick and Sophie. What is refreshing about this take on the Hollywood family is their absolute normalcy and the fact that, despite the unconventional lifestyle, Simmons and Tweed appear to have created a close knit family that genuinely loves one another. They play their share of pranks and trade good humored barbs, but for the most part, the family seems to gang up on Gene. The kids and Shannon make it their personal vendetta to keep Gene's ego in check. Check it out on A&E, Mondays at 10/9 central.