Too much 'Osbournes' is creating a monster By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY We're suffering from an excess of Osbournes. Ever since their unexpectedly popular reality/sitcom set MTV ratings records, America's favorite warped rock family has been everywhere, from magazines to award shows to prime-time specials. And now they're back where it all began, for 20 more planned episodes of MTV's The Osbournes. TV being a business, and this being America, a second season was inevitable. There's big money to be made by all concerned, and no one ever expected either the Osbournes or MTV to let the bucks pass by. Yet although the ratings and the profits might well soar, the two episodes available for preview supply a nagging counterweight: Artistically, a second season looks to be a major mistake. What once seemed fresh and at least partially spontaneous now seems studied and even a little desperate. There's nothing much more painful than watching people struggling to expand their allotted quotient of fame. Actually, that increased fame is part of the problem. In essence, The Osbournes was a real-life version of The Munsters: The humor came from the contrast between the family's freakish appearance and their efforts to live a mundane domestic existence. But whatever used to pass for normal among the Osbournes has vanished. Ozzy and Sharon are basking in the spotlight at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner; Kelly is launching a singing career; and Jack is backstage at the MTV Movie Awards celebrating his newfound celebrity. And the more we see of those kids, the less they look like Munsters than monsters. There is, of course, another, sadder twist to this second season: Sharon's battle with cancer, which seems to hit Ozzy far harder than it hits Sharon. Yes, even in the midst of possible tragedy, there are still moments when Ozzy is blissfully and amusingly unhinged. But there are also moments when he seems sad and pitiful and broken, and those tend to dim the comedy. If we're seeing one too many seasons, we're also, once again, watching two too many Osbournes. Jack and Kelly are children who have become famous for behaving badly, and like all children, the more attention that behavior draws, the worse the behavior becomes. And instead of stepping in, or warning them about the hangers-on who seemingly surround them, the adults give them free rein. Because hey, what would the comedy be without them? That's funny, all right. Right up to the moment when it isn't.
I think I'll skip it..kind of getting sick of hearing about them and watching Ozzy whine about his wife doesn't really seem to entertaining. ..btw I downloaded Kelly Osbournes new album last night ...not good.
The Osbournes is what it is. Call it what you want, but I find it entertaining because my wife and I were old Black Sabbath fans and have followed Ozzie's career. While the whole family is whacked out of its mind, I found quite a bit of the show very real such as Ozzie trying to stay clean and battle his demons or Ozzie trying to keep his kids from following in his footsteps. To hear what happened this summer with his wife Sharon and her battle with cancer was the realest of all to me and I think viewers will be compelled to follow it this season. Also, at least The Osbournes is the closest thing to "reality TV". With the exception of a select few, shows like The Real World, Survivor and all that other crap is just so UNREAL its sickening. Same thing with the Anna Nicole show. In the end, if you look alot deeper into the Osbournes show, some might understand why it is so popular.
I am absolutely done with the Osbournes. It was funny for the first few episodes... but they've gone MC Hammer on us and just drenched the market with too much crap and very little substance.
I still am a Sabbath fan but Ozzy has just become a big joke..It's kind of like watching your favorite sports star hang on when he should have retired years ago. The few interviews I've seen lately have been especially pathetic...His wife has cancer but instead of being strong for her and his family he whines and seems to feel sorry for himself..It's bad enough this woman has cancer but she also has to worry about his well being.
The Osbournes was GREAT last night, although I think they put something into that dog's food to get him to throw up when he's on camera. The show is definitely an acquired taste, but I still enjoy it. It's best if you watch with a group of people.
