The Osbournes (TV series)
"The Osbournes" is a groundbreaking reality television series that aired on MTV from 2002 to 2005, showcasing the personal lives of rock musician Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and their children, Kelly and Jack. Produced by Jonathan Taylor, the show quickly rose to prominence, becoming MTV's most popular and highest-rated program, and winning an Emmy Award for outstanding nonfiction show in 2002. The series provided an intimate look at the Osbourne family's dynamics, revealing their struggles, relationships, and everyday activities, all while contrasting Ozzy's public persona as the "Prince of Darkness" with his role as a loving father and husband.
Significantly, the show tackled real-life challenges, including Sharon's battle with colon cancer and Ozzy's serious ATV accident, which became central storylines. The candid portrayal of their experiences resonated with viewers, illustrating their relatable struggles rather than presenting an idealized family image. "The Osbournes" is often credited with paving the way for subsequent celebrity-family reality shows, influencing the genre and expanding the scope of reality TV in the early 2000s. Aimee Osbourne, the eldest daughter, chose not to participate in the series, further emphasizing the unique dynamics within the family.
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The Osbournes (TV series)
Identification: Reality television show about the personal life of heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne and his family
Executive Producers: Jonathan Taylor; Jeff Stilson (b. 1959)
Date: March 5, 2002–March 21, 2005
The Osbournes gave viewers a look into the personal lives of former Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne and his family. The show quickly became MTV’s most popular and highest-rated program. It was also nominated for several awards and won an Emmy for outstanding nonfiction show in 2002.
American producer and director Jonathan Taylor created the reality television series The Osbournes, which aired for four seasons on MTV from 2002 to 2005. Taylor served as coexecutive producer and executive producer for the entire series. Jeff Stilson served as executive producer until 2004. In 2005 Lois Curren, Greg Johnston, and one of the show’s stars, Sharon Osbourne, shared the role of executive director for several episodes.
The Osbournes featured the family of Ozzy Osbourne, former lead singer and songwriter of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath and creator of the musical festival Ozzfest. On stage, Ozzy—also known as the Prince of Darkness—is known for his dark persona. On The Osbournes, viewers see Ozzy as a gentle man and loving husband and father. The show also featured Ozzy’s wife and former band manager, Sharon, a television personality; their son Jack, an actor and documentary film maker; and their daughter Kelly, a singer and television personality. Oldest daughter Aimee declined to participate in the show.
The first episode introduced the Osbournes as they moved into their new Beverly Hills estate. Subsequent episodes focused on the family’s relationships, struggles, careers, and daily activities. Viewers quickly learned about the family’s numerous pets and the love-hate relationship between siblings Jack and Kelly.
Prior to filming the second season, Sharon was diagnosed with colon cancer, and she decided to continue filming in order to document her battle and treatments. During filming of the third season, Ozzy was seriously injured in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident, which became the major storyline for the season. The fourth and final season featured more of the family’s difficulties, including Kelly’s and Jack’s battles with drugs and alcohol.
Impact
The Osbournes was one of the first reality television shows of the new millennium to focus solely on the daily life of a celebrity family. Such programs allowed viewers into the personal, day-to-day lives of celebrities, which many believe is their appeal. Rather than showcasing themselves as a perfect family, the Osbournes allowed the world to witness their various struggles, which most viewers could relate to and empathize with. Critics believe that The Osbournes paved the way for the success of other celebrity-family reality shows, such as Gene Simmons Family Jewels (which first aired in 2006) and Keeping Up with the Kardashians (which first aired in 2007).
Bibliography
Osbourne, Ozzy. I Am Ozzy. New York: Grand Central, 2011. Print.
Osbourne, Sharon. Sharon Osbourne Extreme: My Autobiography. London: Time Warner, 2005. Print.