Being raised in Texas, Ozzy Osbourne and his legend had a significant impact on me.
Were you aware that he was taken into custody in 1982 forurinating on the Alamo, one of Texas’ most revered historic locations, resulting in his ten-year exclusion from San Antonio (commonly referred to as “The Alamo City”)? If you were raised where I was, roughly 90 miles south of San Antonio, this unusual link between him and the city was familiar, making him either an annoyance or a sort of local legend. He had done something foolish to a cultural symbol, but as a rebellious teenager who enjoyed rock music and sought to defy norms, it didn’t significantly affect my view of him or his work.
Fortunately, I had an older sister who also enjoyed Ozzy and let me join her at concerts, including Ozzfest, which visited almost every summer in — you correctly guessed — San Antonio. When we found out that the Prince of Darkness and his group were going to have their own reality TV show on MTV, a channel that had recently been added to our local cable service a few years earlier, we knew we had to watch. And that’s exactly what we did, along with millions of other viewers, who in 2002 got a glimpse into the personal life of a rock icon with his family, which consisted of wife Sharon, daughter Kelly, son Jack, and a variety of pets, in “The Osbournes.”
What set the show apart was its refusal to conceal the family’s true nature: They were boisterous, used profanity, raised their voices, and stood out — yet it was clear they had deep affection for one another. It introduced a fresh perspective on the TV father figure, one who deviated from traditional expectations. When the series concluded in 2005, it signified the end of a significant pop culture trend that propelled the careers of Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne, turning them into well-known figures in their own right. Subsequent rock stars attempted to follow Ozzy’s lead by creating their own reality shows, but none achieved the same level of popularity.
Now accompanied by the news ofOzzy’s death Tuesday, senior television writer Yvonne Villarreal and I recall his television legacy and the reasons behind his beloved status.
Maira Garcia: It has been many years since I last watched “The Osbournes,” but certain parts of it still stick with me, likely because it was one of the earliest reality TV shows I followed closely and something my sister and I used to enjoy together. As someone from a very loud household, the Osbournes felt like home. When we’re all together, the noise level is always high — that family atmosphere was something I could really connect with while watching the show. Yvonne, do you recall when you first saw “The Osbournes”? How much did you know about Ozzy as a musician before the show?
Yvonne Villarrreal: My sibling had guests over recently to watch the broadcast of the concert that signified the conclusion of both Black Sabbath and Ozzy’s solo career. Witnessing Osbourne, who was frail yet attentive, absorbing the heartfelt farewell from his fans while seated on stage, made me feel an intense desire to rewatch the MTV series. Although I may not be well-versed in heavy metal, I definitely understand reality TV. I discovered it on Prime Video and quickly finished the first season that very night, completely captivated by the rock star family being unapologetically wild and undeniably entertaining, as if it were 2002 all over again. Like you, Maira, I was among the audience that helped make the show a massive success during its initial run — sorry, not really? I still can’t say for sure. However, after all these years, I was reminded that Ozzy, despite his carefully created Prince of Darkness image, was the bright light that brought warmth and positivity to the chaotic family life surrounding him.
There he was, simply a father with streaks of red in his hair, attempting to relax by coloring with markers, while his daughter, Kelly, complained about her brother Jack taking credit for the band she introduced him to — “If you can’t figure it out, just ignore it. What are you going to do about it? What do you want me to do about it?” There he was, just a dad moving around the kitchen, telling an angry Kelly to simply disregard the unwanted OB-GYN appointment her older sister scheduled for her — “Tell her to set up a gynecologist appointment for me; I wouldn’t mind.” There he was, just a dad cursing repeatedly about one of the family’s many pets soiling the floor for the hundredth time — “Who peed on my damn carpet? That damn dog! Where is he? Get the damn thing out of my house! … He’s damn part of Bin Laden’s group.”
He was frequently without a shirt, often frustrated by everything (which, now that I’m an adult, I find very relatable), and his frequent bleeped curses combined with his stuttering sometimes made him hard to understand. And for me — the child of an alcoholic who knew well the complicated feelings of loving my dad while despising his vices and the frustration of how quickly that built-up anger could vanish the moment he made me genuinely laugh, which happened far too often — watching Ozzy felt like seeing a version of my dad. He had his flaws and his history, but he was lovable and showed love in return. More than Danny Tanner or Cliff Huxtable or Dan Conner, inmychaotic reality, Ozzy strangely seemed like the most genuine TV father.
Garcia: My father, like every person, isn’t perfect, but he has always been quiet and composed — completely different from Ozzy. Maybe that’s why “The Osbournes” was so interesting to me. He was a father who was unlike mine, much more wild, and he wasn’t afraid to display his flaws, including his struggles with addiction. It was also intriguing to watch how he and Sharon raised Kelly and Jack — who often argued on the show — which might have appeared different from my own childhood, but was actually quite common. He was concerned about what Kelly and Jack wore (I still recall him yelling at Jack for wearing a shirt that had “Cocaine” written across it), what they did, who they associated with, and how they spent their time. They traveled with him on tour, hanging out with rock stars behind the scenes, yet they remained grounded.
Some individuals disapproved of Ozzy revealing this aspect of his personality, as they believed that, being a rock star, he should maintain a particular image or enigma. However, he was completely indifferent. This was his true self, and I admired that. It made me realize that every family is unique, and there’s no single correct way to be a parent. We’re all simply doing our best, for heaven’s sake.
Yvonne, when you reflect on your past, was there a particular moment or event that you especially cherished?
Villarreal: I haven’t finished rewatching it yet, so my recollections are mainly made up of the little moments that occupy significant space in my mind — such as when he had trouble putting the cloche back on the pastry stand after grabbing a muffin or the wonder in his eyes as he watched his burrito being prepared at Chipotle — you’d think he was observing a surgeon conducting a triple bypass operation. Or the time, while trying to figure out the highly advanced home remote, he became frustrated because he couldn’t get the TV to move past the Weather Channel, only to be completely confused by the ringing phone at the same time. He turned it into a family sitcom by himself. The family’s relevance beyond the show’s original run (2002-2005) faded, naturally, and they weren’t free from controversy and questionable moments in the following years. However, for millennials, it was must-see television. And as the first reality show centered around a celebrity family, it set the standard.
Is there a particular moment that stands out to you? How do you view the family’s impact on the reality TV genre and the influence they created, for better or worse?
Garcia: Just like you, it’s those little instances, such as Ozzy yelling, “SHAROOOONNNN!” for the hundredth time when he needs assistance or is confused about something. But there are also tender moments, like when he helps direct Kelly’s music journey or their joint performance of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” (there are mixed feelings about that song, but I enjoyed it), and times when he spends quality time with Jack and his eldest son, Louis. I can’t imagine what it’s like to grow up with a super famous parent; I’m sure it’s not easy. They appeared to make the most of it, even through a lot of challenges.
I began following Jack and Kelly on social media around a year ago because the algorithm showed me one of their videos, and it’s been like reconnecting with people I used to watch growing up. The siblings have grown up, have their own families, and lead lives apart from their parents. Sharon, who once had her own talk show and later joined “The Talk,” from which sheunceremoniously departedafter an exchange with fellow panelist Sheryl Underwood regarding remarks about Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, she has expressed views or opinions that I disagree with. Kelly faced widespread criticism for her comments about Latino immigrants while attempting to make a point about Trump’s immigration policies on “The View,” althoughshe did apologizeand stated, “I will accept responsibility for my unfortunate selection of words.”
However, I believe “The Osbournes” demonstrated that there is a desire for individuals and families who don’t fit into a standard template, which was quite groundbreaking back then. Much of this was due to Ozzy Osbourne, whose fame helped open doors, and his behavior made him appear somewhat… ordinary. That was the attraction.
And now we’ve lost not just a music icon, but also a reality television personality — and father — who defied conventions.
Villarreal: Perhaps we should order a burrito or throw a piece of boneless ham into some bushes as a tribute to him?
This narrative first was published inLos Angeles Times.
