A gem of a reality show

I’ve never been one for celebrity reality shows, but I must say Gene Simmons Family Jewels has piqued my interest. The combination of Gene Simmons, who is quite the character, and his close-knit family, the “happily unmarried” partner Shannon Tweed and their two kids Nick and Sophie, make for a pretty interesting watch. Plus, they’re really funny.

It’s one of their biggest quirks that a controversial rockstar (of KISS fame) and a former Playboy model would produce two perfectly-behaved, smart, witty and all-round fantastic youngsters. Really makes you think about what society perceives as “good parents” versus what it really takes to be a “good parent” and to raise a wonderful family.

Earlier this year, I did a telephone interview with Gene and Shannon so I got to ask them what their secret is. Gene said the secret is Shannon (awww). Shannon said the secret is to say no and really mean it. Nick and Sophie never ask twice, she said, because they know she means what she says.

In a time where many parents are trying to abandon the rod in favour of communication and reasoning, Gene and Shannon are sticking to strict parenting and discipline. I think it’s ridiculous that parents are trying to negotiate with their children these days, he said. And he has a point.

I can totally imagine them being strict parents. Gene – who claims he’s never been high, drunk or smoked in his life (and expects the same of his kids) – is apparently known for not tolerating ignorant or silly questions from the media. When the interview started, a computer went off in the background and Gene stopped. “What’s that? Who did that? Turn it off immediately.”

I immediately moved my phone, which I had already put into silent mode, off the table just in case it decided to vibrate. Throughout the entire 30 minutes, nothing else went off anywhere. You don’t want to piss off Gene Simmons.

I’ll put up the interview another day. It makes a real interesting read.