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How Ozzy Osbourne became TV’s most authentic dad on ‘The Osbournes’

BBG News

Growing up in Texas, Ozzy Osbourne and his lore loomed large for me.

Back in 1982, you might be surprised to learn that he was taken into custody for urinating on the Alamo, a significant historical site in Texas, which earned him a ten-year ban from San Antonio, affectionately known as “The Alamo City.” For me, growing up just 90 miles south of there, this peculiar link between him and the city was quite notorious. He became either a nuisance or a local legend because of his actions against a cultural landmark. However, being an angsty teenager who admired rock music and yearned to challenge authority, it didn’t really affect my view of him or his tunes at the time.

It’s fortunate I had an elder sister who shared my love for Ozzy, allowing me to join her at concerts, including Ozzfest, that frequently visited our town, San Antonio. When we found out that the Lord of Darkness and his family were getting a reality TV show on MTV, a channel recently available in our hometown, we knew we had to watch it. And indeed, millions of other viewers did, gaining a glimpse into the personal life of a rock icon, “The Osbournes,” in 2002, which included his wife Sharon, daughter Kelly, son Jack, and assorted pets.

The show stood out because it didn’t disguise the authentic nature of the family: They were boisterous, they swore, they argued, and they were unique – yet it was clear that they deeply cherished one another. This allowed us a glimpse into a novel type of television father figure, one who deviated from typical stereotypes. When the show concluded in 2005, it signaled the end of a cultural sensation that catapulted Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne to fame, making them recognized figures in their own right. Other rock stars attempted to replicate Ozzy’s success by launching reality shows, but none managed to achieve the same level of popularity.

Today, following the tragic news of Ozzy’s passing on Tuesday, senior television writer Yvonne Villarreal and I reflect on his remarkable television career and the reasons behind his widespread appeal as a beloved figure.

Music

Ozzy Osbourne, lead singer for Black Sabbath, has died at 76, his family announced Tuesday.

Maira Garcia: I haven’t revisited “The Osbournes” for quite some time, but certain scenes from it are still vivid in my mind, likely because it was one of the earliest reality TV shows I faithfully watched and shared with my sister. It was a bonding experience for us. As someone hailing from a boisterous family, the Osbournes struck a chord with me. When we’re all together, the noise levels soar – their family dynamic resonated with me while watching the show. Yvonne, do you recall your initial viewing of “The Osbournes”? How acquainted were you with Ozzy as a musician prior to the show?

Yvonne Villarrreal shared: Recently, my brother hosted a gathering to watch the farewell concert for both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career. Seeing the frail yet attentive Ozzy, bidding an emotional adieu to his fans from the stage, stirred in me a strong desire to revisit the MTV series. Though I might not be well-versed in heavy metal, I am familiar with reality TV. I found it on Prime Video and consumed the entire first season that very night, captivated by the outrageous yet compelling antics of the rockstar family, reminiscent of 2002. Indeed, I was among the viewers who made the show a massive success during its initial run – not sorry, still unsure. Yet, years later, I was reminded that beneath Ozzy’s carefully crafted Prince of Darkness image, he was the beacon of light that brought brightness and warmth to the turbulent family dynamics revolving around him.

There he was, simply a dad with red highlights in his hair, taking some time for himself by coloring with markers, while his daughter, Kelly, complained about her brother Jack claiming credit for the band she had introduced him to. In exasperation, he told Kelly, “If you can’t sort it out, just forget about it. What can I do or say about it?”

In the kitchen, there was a father, attempting to calm down an upset Kelly who was furious about her older sister scheduling an unwanted OB-GYN appointment for her. He suggested, “Tell your sister to arrange a gynecologist appointment for me; I wouldn’t mind.”

Finally, in the living room, there was a dad expressing frustration over one of the family pets messing on the carpet repeatedly. In anger, he exclaimed, “Who keeps pissing on my rug? That damned dog! Where is it? Get it out of my house! … It’s part of Bin Laden’s gang.

In simpler terms, He frequently went without a shirt, was often frustrated by everything (which, looking back as an adult, I find quite relatable), and his frequent use of bleeped profanities along with his stutter sometimes made him hard to understand. For me, a child of an alcoholic who knew well the complex emotions of loving my father while hating his vices and the frustration of how quickly his anger could disappear when he made me laugh, watching Ozzy was like seeing a reflection of my dad on TV. He had flaws and a past, but he was lovable and showed love in return. Compared to Danny Tanner, Cliff Huxtable, or Dan Conner, in my chaotic reality, Ozzy seemed the most genuine TV father.

Music

Legendary heavy metal vocalist and former lead singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, passed away at the age of 76. Take a listen to ten of his iconic tracks.

Garcia reflects that his father, much like any other person, is far from perfect yet exhibits a distinctly reserved and tranquil demeanor in contrast to Ozzy. This unique characteristic might be what made “The Osbournes” so intriguing for him. His father was a dad who stood out, being significantly wilder than his own, and he didn’t shy away from displaying his flaws, including his struggles with addiction. The show also provided an interesting perspective on how Ozzy and Sharon raised Kelly and Jack, who often clashed on-screen. While their behavior might have appeared different from Garcia’s upbringing, it actually resonated universally. He remembers his father expressing concern about what the kids wore, what they did, who they associated with, and how they spent their leisure time. Despite traveling with him on tour, hanging out with rock stars backstage, the children still seemed well-grounded.

Some individuals questioned Ozzy for revealing this aspect of his personality since as a rock star, they believed he should maintain a specific image or enigma. However, he didn’t pay much attention to these opinions. Instead, he was simply being genuine, and I admired that authenticity. It also reminded me that every family is unique, and there isn’t a single correct way to be a parent. We’re all just doing our best, despite the challenges.

Yvonne, as you look back, was there a favorite moment or episode that stands out to you?

Music

At Ozzy Osbourne’s last performance, Kelly Osbourne and Sid Wilson announced their engagement, following Ozzy’s approval of his friend marrying his own daughter.

Villarreal stated that his memory of the show is mainly composed of small, memorable moments, such as when he struggled to put the cloche back on the pastry stand after grabbing a muffin or the awe in his eyes as he watched his burrito being made at Chipotle – it seemed like he was watching a triple bypass surgery for the first time. Similarly, during his attempts to understand the super-advanced home remote, he became frustrated when he couldn’t scroll past the Weather Channel and then got confused by the ringing telephone. He essentially turned everyday life into a family sitcom. Although the family’s significance beyond the show’s airtime (2002-2005) decreased, they weren’t exempt from controversy and dubious moments in later years. However, for millennials, it was essential viewing. And as the first reality TV show featuring a celebrity family, it served as a template.

Do you recall any particularly memorable experience? What are your thoughts on the impact of this family on the reality TV industry and the legacy they left behind, whether it be positive or negative?

As a film enthusiast, I find myself resonating with those intimate instances just as you do – like Ozzy’s recurring exclamation, “SHAROOOONNNN!”, when he’s in a bind or puzzled about something. Yet, it’s also the heartwarming scenes where he’s nurturing Kelly’s music career and their harmonious rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” that tug at my heartstrings. The moments he spends with Jack and his eldest son Louis are equally memorable. I can hardly imagine what it must be like to have a legendary parent for a role model; it surely isn’t an easy path. However, they seemed to navigate through the storms of their life admirably well.

Over the past year, I’ve found myself drawn to following Jack and Kelly on social media platforms. It feels like reconnecting with old friends from childhood, as they were a big part of my growing up years through their TV shows. As time has passed, both Jack and Kelly have grown into adults, started families, and forged their own paths independent of their parents.

However, I must admit that I don’t always share the same views as Sharon, who once had her own talk show and later joined “The Talk.” There have been instances where she has expressed opinions or shared perspectives that I find disagreeable. Kelly, too, faced criticism for comments regarding Latino immigrants while discussing Trump’s immigration policies on “The View,” though she did express remorse and apologized for her choice of words.

I continue to follow them out of a sense of nostalgia and curiosity, hoping they will return to the positive influences they once were in my life.

In simpler terms, “The Osbournes” demonstrated that there’s a desire for non-traditional families who don’t fit into standard molds, which was quite groundbreaking back then. A significant part of this was due to Ozzy Osbourne, whose fame opened the door, and his unconventional behavior made him appear almost ordinary, which was the charm.

And now we’ve lost not only music legend, but a reality TV star — and dad — who broke the mold.

Villarreal: Perhaps we could get a burrito for him as a gesture, or maybe toss a piece of boneless ham into the bushes as a tribute?

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2025-07-23 04:02

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