On March 21, 2005, Ozzy Osbourne and family released the very last episode of their famed MTV reality series, The Osbournes. The show enjoyed four seasons before ending its run, and it was a sad day for fans of the show. And few might recognize just how big of a deal The Osbournes was when it came to musicians interacting with the world through reality television.
Videos by American Songwriter
The Legacy of ‘The Osbournes’ in Reality Television Might Be More Important Than You Think
The Osbournes made their debut on reality television on March 2, 2002 on MTV. The series followed the home life of famed heavy metal singer and former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, as well as his wife Sharon, son Jack, and daughter Kelly.
It was a wild ride, to say the least. There wasn’t much in the way of censorship on this show. And there’s a reason why the Osbournes’ other daughter, Aimee, refused to participate in the series and criticized her family’s participation in the often exploitative show. Though, the rest of the Osbournes didn’t seem too bothered by it.
The show depicted both the good and the bad of the Osbournes’ personal lives, from Ozzy’s stoned antics and his children’s general angst to Sharon’s cancer battle and Ozzy’s near-fatal ATV accident.
The show offered a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a group of people that the common man would probably have no insight into. Nothing like it had really existed before.
No matter how you feel about early 2000s reality television, The Osbournes was an incredibly influential series. After the release of its first season, it was the most-viewed show on MTV in the broadcasting company’s history for a hot minute.
Before this show came out, famous musicians hadn’t really explored reality television yet. After The Osbournes came to an end, though, a few rock stars definitely jumped on the bandwagon. Just a few series to follow in The Osbournes’ footsteps include Gene Simmons: Family Jewels, Rock Of Love With Bret Michaels, and Flavor Of Love. The Osbournes kicked off the trend, and their legacy in reality television is still felt today.
Photo via Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.