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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this "celebreality" show features party scenes with women in tight clothes who virtually fall over themselves to be noticed by legendary rock star Gene Simmons. Alcohol is prevalent, some mild cursing is common, and the show serves as evidence of our fame-obsessed culture. But the Simmons family members also clearly care deeply about one another, and both parents make efforts to communicate with their kids, acknowledge their concerns, and be involved in their lives.

Families can talk about being a celebrity. How would fame affect your life? What would you enjoy or dislike about it? Why does our society have such an obsession with famous entertainers? Why aren't leaders in science or education treated the same way? Families can also talk about how Gene and Shannon parent their kids. Do you think they're effective parents? How can you tell? What about their methods seems to work? What doesn't? How is the Simmons family different from and similar to your own family?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

You might not recognize him at first without his black-and-white make-up and trademark tongue-wagging, but it really is KISS lead man Gene Simmons fumbling with that vacuum cleaner in A&E's GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS.

The show is yet another entry in the legendary rock star's list of multimedia accomplishments, which include music fame, film and TV cameos, cartoon production (he created Nickelodeon's My Dad the Rock Star), and marketing genius. But before you dismiss Family Jewels as just another self-propelling platform for a big-headed celebrity, it's worth taking a look at the refreshingly normal life he and his family share with their viewers.

Gene lives in a Beverly Hills mansion with his long-time partner, actress and former Playboy Playmate of the Year Shannon Tweed. The couple have been together for 23 years and have two kids, 17-year-old Nick and 13-year-old Sophie. Despite their obvious mutual adoration, Gene and Shannon have never married, a fact that she occasionally drops into conversations for some good-natured nagging.

Gene and Shannon are clearly dedicated to their kids and very much in tune with their lives. Aspiring musician Nick often talks to his dad about the ups and downs of stardom, and Gene is happy to offer advice to Nick and Nick's band. Occasionally Gene oversteps the bounds and interferes too much (like when he set up a gig for the group without asking Nick first), but the well-intentioned parenting pitfalls encourage communication between father and son.

Sophie likewise enjoys a close relationship with her parents. She's never hesitant to check in with them at home to seek advice or just to see what they're up to.

Overall, Family Jewels is an enjoyable glimpse into the lives of surprisingly candid, down-to-earth celebrities, and much of the family-related subject matter will resonate with viewers. Fans may be surprised to find that in the company of his family, Gene's ego takes a back seat to his pride in his kids. It's only in scenes that find him among adoring female fans that he turns on the charm and welcomes flirtatious advances.

While mature tones and some strong language rule this one out for general family TV viewing, it might be one parents (after a quick preview) can enjoy with their teens. If so, why not dust off some KISS albums and see if musical taste can cross the age divide, too?

Fans might also like The Osbournes, Hogan Knows Best, and Run's House.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Scantily dressed women hang all over Gene whenever he goes in public. Innuendoes and suggestive comments are common in such scenes. Gene and partner Shannon Tweed (who have been together for 23 years) have never married, in part because Simmons occasionally does more than flirt with other women.
Violence
Language "Hell," "tits," "suck," and "damn" are used infrequently. Anything stronger (which is rare) is bleeped.
Message
	Social Behavior The family members have close relationships, and both parents appear to be very involved in their kids' lives. Gene sometimes has trouble putting aside his own goals for his son and trusting Nick to choose his own path. Gene sometimes sets a double standard for his kids. For example, he encourages Nick to enjoy women's flirtatious attention, but he reminds Sophie to be wary of men and their intentions.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Party scenes include lots of alcohol, and the action is so chaotic, it's hard to tell who's really of age and who isn't.

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