The hype for this show, airing tonight at 9:25 on Fox after American Idol, is that "it's like nothing you've ever seen on television." And exec producer James Sunderland wants to make very clear what this isn't: a traditional, Rosie Live-style variety show:
The only reason variety should be mentioned with regard to Osbournes: Reloaded is because it's got a variety of different things in it. It's got music, surprises, reality pieces, studio elements; but that's where the comparison ends. You're not going to see Sharon and Ozzy dancing on the stage with jazz hands or celebrities doing cameos.
Okay, it isn't a regular variety show. So what the hell is it? One gets the sense from reading the interview with the executive producer that not even he knows: he throws out words like "edgy" and "controversial", but then makes sure to point out that it's a "family show" that one should watch with "their grandma." Their edgy, controversial grandma? (Sunderland then points out "the swearing is bleeped." Oh, Grandma will love that.)
The promo gives us no clue what this show is, either - only that it takes a lot of things we've seen before in different types of shows and puts them all in one place:
All right, let's go through this: fast-food? saw that on The Simple Life. The kissing prank? Could be from any one of a hundred shows over the past forty years, could be on Howie Do It. Musical performance? Yeah, that's good. Ozzy can sing. But it's hardly original. Searching for people with your name? Done before, brilliantly, by the British comic Dave Gorman, in Are You Dave Gorman? And little British kids impersonating British celebrities and cursing? Check this out:
So what they mean by "You've never seen anything like this before" is "You've never seen all these things you've seen before on one show!"
Unfocused is not a synonym for original. We're worried.
PREVIOUSLY:
Oh, No, You Did Not Just Say That To Sharon Osbourne
"Rock Of Love" Contestant Suing Sharon Osbourne For Assault
Kelly Osbourne Is Back In Rehab
"America's Got Talent": Fake Ozzy Drives Sharon To Demand "Pants Off Dance Off"
Sharon Osbourne Makes British Tabloid Apologize, Pay Her