Family Jewels
My solemn vow to never get attached to another reality show = major fail. Oh, how I do love me some Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
I was shocked to learn the show’s been around since 2007. Where the heck have I been?! Honestly, if I’d seen it back then I don’t know if it would’ve held my interest or not. But now… most definitely. It’s a show for all ages – I even know of a 70+ year-young person who enjoys it.
If you’ve never seen it, on the outside it may look silly. On the inside, it’s about a real family with real-life issues. Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed started out about 28 years ago – back in the days of Playboy Playmates, the Rock & Roll heyday and Kiss tours. Today, they have two terrific kids – Nick, 22 and Sophie, 19. It’s totally unlike me to immediately fall in love with a set of kids like I did with them. They’re both talented, seem wise beyond their years, and bring some very intellectual conversation to the show. Add to that the fact that the whole family is hilarious… and I’m totally buying into it.
Gene and Shannon had 27 years of domestic partnership under their belt but had never married. I’m not the type to bash marriage or lack thereof in this case, because I feel marriage is a personal preference left up to each individual partner. I realize everyone’s preferences are different, and I respect that.
Last night was the episode of their wedding. It was, of course, gorgeous. I also like seeing what all money can buy. Whooo, baby… made my head spin.
There’s something bigger that’s held my interest. Made public on the show were the marital indiscretions that Gene had, and there were many episodes that addressed how the family as a whole dealt with this. Shannon’s pain and the shame of it being made public, how it directly affected their kids, all the work it took as a family through many counseling sessions that were in public view for all of America to see. To me, this is reality TV.
I have an entirely different respect for Gene now. Why? Because he truly manned up. Will Shannon ever be able to forget the past? Of course not. Can she forgive? Absolutely and wholeheartedly, and she finally has. How? Because from the very beginning, Gene took responsibility for his actions. There was much to be worked out in therapy, but he was always a willing participant. Why? True Love. He would do anything and everything to try and repair the damage that he admittedly caused to her and their family. To Gene, there was never an option of letting her walk away and not fighting to keep her. To him, she was well worth the fight of his life to keep.
And, he won. Actually… they all did. 🙂
©aetv.com/gene-simmons-family-jewels
Life of Bon 
Interesting .. although I have never watched the show. 😉
October 19, 2011 at 9:42 pm
You’d probably like it! 🙂
October 20, 2011 at 6:16 pm
The only episode of the show that I saw was the one where Gene took a lie detector test to see if he’d cheated on her. I’m glad he finally manned up!
October 20, 2011 at 7:40 am
I can’t believe I’ve never seen an episode until several weeks ago. I’m glad he did too, Thoughtsy – so many don’t nowadays.
October 20, 2011 at 6:17 pm
I too love that show! And I’m so happy that he “Manned Up” AT LAST! But…I’m alittle confused. I was very surprized to learn that he had cheated on her, because one of their shows had Gene hooked up to a “Lie Box” and he passed all of the questions, and he passed when asked if he had ever cheated on Shannon! So what gives?? I’ve been watching the show since it started and I have to say I do love Gene. He’s so easy going and I’ve never seen him lose his temper. And his 2 kids are really down to earth and soooo funny. When it’s all said and done, it’s Gene that is the lucky one. After 28 years, he now has everything his heart desires…. one amazing family!! Rock on Gene!!!!
October 21, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I wish I’d seen those episodes, because I had heard he failed that question on fidelity. It is obvious how very much he loves her and that he was willing to do anything to keep her. I know of men who even deny it when they’re caught red-handed. He had the fight of his life ahead of him to keep her, and he stayed in there until the twelfth round. 🙂 She’s a hell of a woman herself for being able to forgive like that, even though it took much time and therapy. They’re a great little family, aren’t they? I second that Helen – rock on, Gene!
October 22, 2011 at 11:14 am
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