The Osbournes
Encyclopedia
The Osbournes is an American
reality television
program featuring the domestic life of heavy metal
singer Ozzy Osbourne
and his family. The series premiered on MTV
on March 5, 2002, and in its first season, was cited as the most-viewed series ever on MTV. The final episode of the series aired March 21, 2005.
musician Ozzy
, the show features his wife and manager Sharon
, his son Jack
, his daughter Kelly
, and, from the second season on, his adopted "son" Rob
. The Osbournes have another daughter, Aimee
, who has refused to participate in the show, and publicly criticized her parents for their antics on the show. In most family photos shown on the show, she is either absent or blurred. The series also followed the family as they dealt with major events such as Sharon's battle with cancer
, and the aftermath of an ATV accident that nearly killed Ozzy.
The theme song for the show is a cover of Ozzy's song Crazy Train
, done in a jazz-swing style by Lewis Lamedica.
Concurrent with the success of the series, Kelly Osbourne launched a brief career as a singer, while Sharon Osbourne hosted The Sharon Osbourne Show
. The family also parodied their TV series during a cameo appearance in Austin Powers in Goldmember
.
The series was parodied during the intro of the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards
with talk show host Conan O'Brien
staying with the Osbournes while in Los Angeles
because of his hosting duties.
Ozzy confirmed in an interview on BBC Radio 2 in May 2009 that he was "stoned during the entire filming of The Osbournes" and can no longer watch the episodes for this reason.
Profanity was censored
during MTV broadcasts of the series in the United States. In an interview Ozzy himself stated that, while he was happy that the Canadian broadcasts were uncensored, he preferred the censored version because the cursing was more noticeable due to the bleeps. The Canadian broadcasts on CTV and UK broadcasts on MTV and Channel 4 are uncensored. Some episodes were also aired uncensored to Australian audiences when shown on Network Ten
. It is broadcast uncensored on MTV Australia.
Later, from November 30 to December 1, 2007, items belonging to the Osbournes and featured in the show were auctioned off to the public. The two day event listed memorabilia as well as furnishings of the home. Bidders could bid through the Auction Network
.
for the Fox
network. Produced by Fremantle Media North America, the series debuted on March 31, 2009 at 9:25PM ET/PT, following American Idol
. The show consists of sketches, stunts, celebrity cameos, music performances, and pretaped bits. However the show was canceled after airing its first episode.
On the show's debut, 26 Fox affiliates pre-empted or delayed the program, due to the show's sophisticated content, which the stations felt was more appropriate for older viewers.
A various artists compilation based on the show was released in June, 2002: The Osbourne Family Album
.
.
in Canada
, Channel 4
in the UK
and MTV UK and Ireland in Ireland and the UK
, VH1 India
in India, RTÉ Two
in Ireland, Network Ten
, MTV Australia
in Australia, MTV Finland
and Nelonen
in Finland, MTV Latin America
in Latin America, MTV Portugal
in Portugal, TV2
in New Zealand, MTV Germany in Germany, MTV Ukraine
in Ukraine, MTV Brasil
in Brazil and MTV Holland in The Netherlands.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
program featuring the domestic life of heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
singer Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
and his family. The series premiered on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
on March 5, 2002, and in its first season, was cited as the most-viewed series ever on MTV. The final episode of the series aired March 21, 2005.
Overview
In addition to metalHeavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
musician Ozzy
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, the show features his wife and manager Sharon
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
, his son Jack
Jack Osbourne
Jack Joseph Osbourne is an English media personality, best known as the son of musician Ozzy Osbourne and music manager Sharon Osbourne, and brother of Aimee and Kelly Osbourne.-Early life and family:...
, his daughter Kelly
Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Michelle Lee Osbourne is an English media personality, television personality, host, judge, fashion designer, singer, and actress, best known for being the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne...
, and, from the second season on, his adopted "son" Rob
Robert Marcato
Robert Marcato was a cast member for three seasons on the American reality show The Osbournes. He was a family friend whom Sharon took in after his mother died of cancer in 2002. He was introduced as a school friend of Osbourne daughters Kelly and Aimee, though on the show he hung out mostly with...
. The Osbournes have another daughter, Aimee
Aimee Osbourne
Aimee Rachel Osbourne is an English singer, actress, and columnist. She is the third child of singer Ozzy Osbourne and the first child to Ozzy's second wife Sharon...
, who has refused to participate in the show, and publicly criticized her parents for their antics on the show. In most family photos shown on the show, she is either absent or blurred. The series also followed the family as they dealt with major events such as Sharon's battle with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, and the aftermath of an ATV accident that nearly killed Ozzy.
The theme song for the show is a cover of Ozzy's song Crazy Train
Crazy Train
"Crazy Train" is a song written by Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley. It was released as the first single in 1980 on Osbourne's first solo studio album, Blizzard of Ozz. The song was recorded in 1980, a year after leaving Black Sabbath, and later included on the live album Tribute,...
, done in a jazz-swing style by Lewis Lamedica.
Concurrent with the success of the series, Kelly Osbourne launched a brief career as a singer, while Sharon Osbourne hosted The Sharon Osbourne Show
The Sharon Osbourne Show
The Sharon Osbourne Show refers to either of two TV chat shows hosted by Sharon Osbourne – the original US version, or the more recent UK version. These are described separately below.-US version :...
. The family also parodied their TV series during a cameo appearance in Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy comedy film and the third installment of the Austin Powers series starring Mike Myers in the title role. The movie was directed by Jay Roach, and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers. Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil, Goldmember,...
.
The series was parodied during the intro of the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards
54th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held Sunday, September 22, 2002. Nominations were announced July 22, 2002. The awards show was hosted by Conan O'Brien and was broadcast on NBC...
with talk show host Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien
Conan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer. Since November 2010 he has hosted Conan, a late-night talk show that airs on the American cable television station TBS....
staying with the Osbournes while in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
because of his hosting duties.
Ozzy confirmed in an interview on BBC Radio 2 in May 2009 that he was "stoned during the entire filming of The Osbournes" and can no longer watch the episodes for this reason.
Profanity was censored
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
during MTV broadcasts of the series in the United States. In an interview Ozzy himself stated that, while he was happy that the Canadian broadcasts were uncensored, he preferred the censored version because the cursing was more noticeable due to the bleeps. The Canadian broadcasts on CTV and UK broadcasts on MTV and Channel 4 are uncensored. Some episodes were also aired uncensored to Australian audiences when shown on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
. It is broadcast uncensored on MTV Australia.
Later, from November 30 to December 1, 2007, items belonging to the Osbournes and featured in the show were auctioned off to the public. The two day event listed memorabilia as well as furnishings of the home. Bidders could bid through the Auction Network
Auction Network
Auction Network is a 24-hour Internet and cable television channel that allows viewers to participate remotely in auctions taking place throughout the world...
.
After filming
In 2009, the Osbournes reunited for the debut of their new variety show Osbournes: ReloadedOsbournes: Reloaded
Osbournes Reloaded is a short-lived 2009 variety show that aired its only episode on Fox. The show was hosted by The Osbournes — Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly — and premiered Tuesday March 31 on Fox following American Idol. Fremantle Media North America, the producers of American Idol, produced the...
for the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
network. Produced by Fremantle Media North America, the series debuted on March 31, 2009 at 9:25PM ET/PT, following American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. The show consists of sketches, stunts, celebrity cameos, music performances, and pretaped bits. However the show was canceled after airing its first episode.
On the show's debut, 26 Fox affiliates pre-empted or delayed the program, due to the show's sophisticated content, which the stations felt was more appropriate for older viewers.
DVD and album releases
Only seasons one and two (released in two sets as season two and two 1/2 or 2.5) have been released on DVD.A various artists compilation based on the show was released in June, 2002: The Osbourne Family Album
The Osbourne Family Album
The Osbourne Family Album was a various artists compilation album based on the television series The Osbournes with the songs selected by the family. It included the theme song "Crazy Train" as well as contributions by Ozzy and Kelly. The songs were interspersed with dialogue from the show...
.
Awards
Along with the highest ratings in MTV history, The Osbournes won a 2002 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality ProgramPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program
Outstanding Reality Program is a Primetime Emmy Award handed out annually at the Primetime Emmy telecast.-2000s:-2010s:...
.
International airings
The series aired on CTVCTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and MTV UK and Ireland in Ireland and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, VH1 India
VH1 India
VH1 India is a music channel in India. It is the sister channel to MTV India, which was launched in 2005. In December 2004, MTV India and Zee-Turner teamed up to bring VH1 to India. In India, VH1 is a 24-hour pay channel caters to the 13–35 age group. VH1 primarily focuses on international genres...
in India, RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
in Ireland, Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
, MTV Australia
MTV Australia
MTV Australia is 24 hour general entertainment channel specialising in music and youth culture programming which serves Australia and New Zealand. It is operated by Viacom International Media Networks Australia owned by Viacom and primarily features imported shows as well as locally produced...
in Australia, MTV Finland
MTV Finland
MTV Finland is a general entertainment channel broadcasting to the Finnish speaking market. The channel replaced MTV Nordic on September 18, 2005.-History:* MTV Finland launched in September 2005 along with MTV Sweden and MTV Norge...
and Nelonen
Nelonen
Nelonen is a Finnish commercial TV channel. It started out as Helsinki's local television channel PTV in 1989 on the HTV cable network, which name was changed first to PTV4 and then to Nelonen. It started on June 1, 1997. Nelonen, in Finnish, means the glyph of the number four. The channel is...
in Finland, MTV Latin America
MTV Latin America
MTV Latin America is a cable television specialty service aimed at residents in Hispanic American countries. It was launched on October 1, 1993 as MTV en Español. The channel is a Hispanic American version from MTV...
in Latin America, MTV Portugal
MTV Portugal
MTV Portugal is a 24-hour general entertainment channel serving Portugal.The channel was launched on July 1, 2003 replacing MTV Europe within the territory. In its initial stages MTV Portugal shared similar content to MTV Spain and MTV Italy, while also airing programming from MTV US and MTV Europe...
in Portugal, TV2
Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
in New Zealand, MTV Germany in Germany, MTV Ukraine
MTV Ukraine
MTV Ukraine is a Ukrainian language music channel, owned by MTV Networks Europe, a division of Viacom. The channel was launched on 24 August 2007, 6:00 a.m. local time and is available to the whole country of Ukraine through cable and satellite: in Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Lutsk, Lviv and...
in Ukraine, MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil is the Brazilian version of MTV, owned by Abril Mídia, the nation's largest magazine publisher, under license from Viacom - owned MTV Networks Latin AmericaMTV Brasil is one of two versions of MTV available in free-to-air terrestrial television...
in Brazil and MTV Holland in The Netherlands.