May 29, 2002

Great, another season of watching

Great, another season of watching a decrepit, hobbled Ozzy wandering around cursing incoherently. I watched a few episodes and do not understand the buzz. Instead of laughing at this family, I felt sorry for them. Ozzy's home life consists of painting in what looks like a coloring book, while complaining about pets. He limps around at home, yet somehow gets it together to put on a high energy show. Have they ever shown Ozzy taking shots so he can stand up straight on stage? The kids are just weird-looking teenagers who are allowed to swear in front of their parents. Sharon is the most normal. She's a workaholic who runs Ozzy's career and takes care of the heavy metal god.

There is some sense of a normal family life. Ozzy and Sharon don't let their kids do anything they want, and they hold them accountable when they break the rules. Overall, it's just bland television. It's what the Real World has become: banality edited into 30 minute segments. Except, the Osbournes have no Barbie doll look-a-likes.

"MTV Signs Osbournes to New Season"

[UPDATE: Paul Cantor writes that "Ozzy and his clan are just plain likable." He also thinks the Osbournes uphold family values--something Dan Quayle also noted in a speech a few weeks ago. These points don't take away from what I see as boring television. It's mildly entertaining in a freak show kind of way, but it quickly becomes tiresome.]