Parents' Guide to

Growing Up Twisted

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Rocker's family is "twisted" but surprisingly tight-knit.

TV A&E Reality TV 2010
Growing Up Twisted Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

MariaBomba
MariaBomba Parent of 6-year-old
July 28, 2010
age 16+
Loved the show! Cody and Shane are so funny.I can't wait to see what they do next!Love the whole family.Best reality show I have seen in years!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
gina104220
gina104220 Parent of 13-year-old
July 28, 2010
age 12+

FUNNY FAMILY SHOW We Loved Growing Up Twisted

WE LOVED IT...LOVED IT SO MUCH WE WATCHED THE ENCORE 2 episodes over again. I( Woman 46yrs old) watched it last night for the premier episodes( Tuesday July 27th 10PM A&E)along with my husband (50yrs old)and my 2 children (daughter 19 yrs and son 13yrs) We enjoyed it so much. We laughed, we cried, we talked...It was so nice to watch a "Real" family.Dee and his family are tight/He and Suzette have been married 34 years..It wasn't about liquor/drugs or violence...It was a family reality show that every family member can enjoy. The oldest son (Jesse Blaze) is a singer and writer and wrote the most beautiful single that was just released on ITunes "Go with Me"...Go give a listen...The kids are so funny..The show is true reality and makes you feel that you know the family. I not only found a new favorite show but I feel like I have made some new friends...We are looking so forward to next week TUESDAY NIGHTS 10PM A&E

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

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: TV-14
  • Last updated: October 24, 2022

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