Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rocker's family is "twisted" but surprisingly tight-knit.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Growing Up Twisted
What's the Story?
To the casual observer, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider and his family are GROWING UP TWISTED in a house full of music and mayhem. But they're actually pretty normal ... at least, that's how they choose to see it. The family unit includes Dee and his wife, Suzette, who've been married for nearly 30 years; eldest son and fellow musician Jesse, 27, who's married with a brand-new baby; aspiring stand-up comic Shane, 22; budding filmmaker Cody, 20; and wilful teen Cheyenne, 13.
Is It Any Good?
As often as we've seen this same formula -- be it with The Osbournes or Gene Simmons Family Jewels -- it's still fun to see a celebrity who built his career on the notion of bucking authority have to deal with the drudgeries of fatherhood. And in a refreshing twist, Dee Snider isn't an incoherent couch potato (sorry, Ozzy) or a skirt-chasing self-promoter (our apologies, Gene) but rather a surprisingly good role model. (And a grandfather to boot!)
Granted, he isn't perfect, and his kids swear like a ship full of sailors. But that doesn't stop him from reining them in when they go too far -- even if Suzette won't back him up. For instance, when a hot-headed Cody warns a heckler, "I'll beat the f--k out of you," Suzette is not only proud, she thinks he "shoulda kicked his ass." But a deadly serious Dee makes it clear that, when it comes to his kids threatening violence, he's not gonna take it. And who would've predicted that?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about parenting. How well have Dee and Suzette raised their kids? Is one a better parent than the other, or do they just have different strengths? Do the kids respect their parents -- and each other? How does the Snider family compare to yours?
How have fame and celebrity affected the Sniders? Do the kids have it easier because their father is famous? Does having a celebrity dad have a downside?
Why would the Sniders choose to participate in a show like this one? Do you think it was their idea? What do they get out of the experience?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 27, 2010
- Cast : Dee Snider
- Network : A&E
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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