The long-tongued devil of rock and roll is actually a family man, though not a married one he’d be quick to point out. However, his family seems rather caring and well rounded compared to the car wreck of another rocker’s family.
Gene Simmons of KISS is a certified rock god and if you want proof he’ll gladly sell a certificate to you proclaiming it no doubt (he’s not one to pass up a business opportunity). What you may not know is that he’s been happily unmarried for the last twenty-plus years to model Shannon Tweed. They have two kids together, Nick and Sophie.
The whole fam damily, including Shannon’s sister Tracy, appears on this A&E reality show. Now another famous rocker started the trend a bit ago, but the family of this shuffling, mumbling rocker was a bit of a train wreck. Gene can certainly be a demon from hell (check out when his costume gets lost and how he treats the poor, sweating hotel manager), but he can also be the caring parent and un-husband.
There are even some touching moments as the kids react to seeing their parents bloodied and bruised from the facial swelling. Now I’ll admit that some of the show seems like a setup, but it does have some moments that I felt were very genuine (like the kid’s reactions to the surgery and the Camp Pendleton show). Whatever, the case it’s a damn good show and I developed a healthy respect for Gene Simmons and family.
Disc one:
Under the Knife?: Just as he is about to get a facelift, Gene must leave town for a rescheduled KISS Fragrance publicity tour. Meanwhile, Shannon goes shopping – for a pregnancy test.
A Bun in the Oven?: Gene serves as grand marshall of NYC’s infamous Halloween parade. At home, the family anxiously waits to find out if Shannon is really pregnant.
Gene’s Big Mouth: Shannon is delighted at Gene’s suggestion that they adopt a child, but furious when she learns he doesn’t really mean it.
Nice Day for a Facelift: Gene and Shannon prepare to undergo simultaneous cosmetic procedures, with cameras following them every step of the way.
Face Off: After the more than eight hours of surgery, Gene can go home but Shannon must stay in the hospital longer than expected.
Stir Crazy: A bruised and weary Shannon joins Gene at home, where their recuperations drive the kids crazy. When Gene refuses to follow his doctor’s orders, he drives Shannon over the edge as well.
Snowblind: The family hits the slopes, but things go awry when Gene tries to learn more about Sophie’s new love interest. The Ski Patrol is called to get him out of trouble.
Coming Out Party: Gene’s recovery is proceeding slowly, so Nick must take his place at a “Rent-a-Bachelor” charity auction. Gene tries every cure he can think of to avoid missing his next event: accepting a “Golden Tongue” award.
Disc two:
The Wingman: When Gene learns that his friend’s 30-year-old nephew has only ever been with one woman, he takes him to Vegas to show him a good time.
Uncle Gene Wants You: In this two-part episode, Gene arranges a private tour of Camp Pendleton to help Sophie write a report on the armed forces. Father and daughter face off in a basic training competition, inspiring Gene to write and perform a special tribute for the troops.
Growing Pains: Nick’s visit to a distant college turns into a weekend from hell, but Sophie has a scheme to turn the situation to her advantage.
Master Gene Theater: A look back at the first season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels, with never-before-seen interviews, outtakes, and the Best of Gene’s Bad Jokes.
British Invasion: Gene takes Nick to London for an epic 18th birthday celebration, including a recording session at the Beatle’s Abbey Road Studio. But will an overeager record label exec ruin the fun?
All Grown Up: Sophie goes to France with Gene in tow, for a high fashion shoot. Back in England, Nick considers going to college in Cambridge and Shannon shops for castles.
Rich Dad: Gene is hurt that Sophie hasn’t told him about a Father/Daughter volleyball game. While in Vegas, he tries to help save another family’s venture – the oldest strip club in town.
Disc three:
Alpha Male: Sophie wants to go camping for her birthday so she can prove Gene’s sexist attitudes untrue. But how will the family fare against Mother Nature?
Sucker Bet: Gene crashes Shannon and Aunt Tracy’s girl’s weekend at the Kentucky Derby. He isn’t interested in the race – until he discovers that Shannon has placed a $100,000 bet.
…And They’re Off: Panicked about Shannon’s $100,000 bet at the Kentucky Derby, Gene tries to sell her ticket to a variety of celebrities. Having no luck, he watches the race and hopes for the best.
Trapped in Paradise: Gene endures an extended stay in the Caribbean as he tries to close a multi-million dollar deal that will bring Indy racing to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Genetopia: Aunt Tracy tries speed dating, only to learn that her match is only interested in Shannon. Meanwhile, Gene considers buying an island where everyone will have to live by his rules.
Fact or Fiction?: Gene is challenged to take a lie detector test that will answer the question: are his renowned sexual exploits simply rock star bravado or cold hard fact?
Gene Simmons Family Jewels is presented in fullscreen as they aired on television. Special features are located on disc three and include the bonus 20 minute recap episode “It Was a Very Good Year” (that has deleted scenes) and the 6 minute “Lost Couch Interviews” which has some unused family asides.
Whether he’s married to Shannon Tweed or not his kids seem more well grounded (and less annoying) that that the two on that other rocker’s reality show. I’m not a big KISS fan but I’ll have to say that by the end of the show that I was a Gene Simmons fan (although I’d hate to be on the receiving end of the demonic Simmons!).
Gene Simmons Family Jewels - Complete Season Two is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
Your Talkback on this Story