Recap 'Gene Simmons Family Jewels': Is the ending really a cliffhanger?
The sitcom-ready plot of the season finale is fun, but it skips over the deeper issues
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels"
Credit: A&E
In the midst of the season finale of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” son Nick teases his rock star dad, saying, “You are a sitcom. Who writes you?” It’s a question that could be asked of the entire episode, which hits every sitcom beat (and sometimes better than a lot of the actual sitcoms in prime time, but still). Gene orders a custom ring. It doesn't arrive when it's supposed to! He wants to propose at the top of a Mayan ruin but gets too winded to do it! He tries to pop the question during a biplane ride, but she can't hear him over the engine! Wacky, wacky hijinks abound!
Watching Gene Simmons bump up against every conceivable obstacle in trying to propose to girlfriend Shannon Tweed is fun and funny, but it’s an oddly unsatisfying conclusion to a season that’s been marked by a roller coaster of emotions. As much as I want a tidy happy ending for Tweed and Simmons, I have to wonder: does an apology and a kick ass vacation really make up for almost 28 years of playing second fiddle to a rock star’s career and (let’s face it) massive ego? And do we as viewers really want this season tied up in such a pretty bow?
Granted, it might not be such a pretty bow. We don’t get Tweed’s response, only a “to be continued…” which, if her answer is the pretty much expected “yes,” feels like a cheat. It’s not that I expected Tweed’s relationship crisis to be dragged out interminably. She clearly loves Simmons, and, other than a fundamental difference of opinion about whether or not their relationship is an open one, they seem well matched. Their non-marriage has lasted a heck of a lot longer than most real marriages in Hollywood. But I’m hoping that she makes him work quite a bit harder to win her over – and a big ring, while very nice, isn’t really enough.
The penultimate episode, during which Tweed was treated as royalty in her hometown while Simmons was forced to play second fiddle, only proved how far he has to go to be a grown-up. He could barely cede the spotlight to his girlfriend for a moment, either falling asleep on her family’s couch or changing the subject to himself during a radio interview. Even though he realized he was a jerk after the fact, I think he needs to do a lot more repair work than throwing his cell phone into a pitcher of ice water to prove he’s paying attention to make it clear he’s a changed man.
When Simmons asks Tweed’s mom for her hand in marriage, the older woman seems understandably suspicious, half-joking, “You hurt my kid and you’re dead meat, Mister.” Maybe the people around Tweed have simply had to watch her put up with second place for too long. And if one thing seems clear in watching the show, it’s that Tweed is a lot more than a trophy wife. This appears to be a marriage (so to speak) of equals. And I find it hard to believe the shiny trinkets and vacation hijinks that would woo a Hef girlfriend would do the trick for a smart cookie like Tweed.
Do you think she accepted the proposal? Do you think they should iron things out? Do you want to go to Belize now?
Liane Bonin Starr is an author, screenwriter and former writer for EW.com. Her byline has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Variety and a lot of other places. Her last book was called "a scandalously catty, guilty pleasure" by Jane magazine. Expect the same from Starr Raving.
News From Our Partners
-
Beyonce Pregnant Again? Sources Confirm 'Epic' Star Is Carrying Baby No. 2
'Hangover 3' Red Band Trailer: Take a Walk Down a NSFW Memory Lane (VIDEO)
Why 'Man of Steel' Didn't Use 'Superman' in the Title
-
The Future Of Olivia And Fitz, And More Season 3 Scoop
SPOILER ALERT: What's Ahead In 'Nikita' Season 4?
Google Glass Does Porn
-
'Da Vinci's Demons' Review: "The Devil"
'Assassin's Creed' Movie Slated For Memorial Day 2015
Amazon Picks Up John Goodman's 'Alpha House,' Computer Comedy 'Betas'
-
Hear This: Destroy This Place shows how press releases can get it right
Watch This: With Beavis And Butt-head Do America, Mike Judge skewered the idiocy of cinematic adventures
Cannes Film Festival: Cannes 2013, Day Two: Iranian director Asghar Farhadi chases A Separation with another stunning drama
-
Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake?
Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh
Red Carpet Roundup: Star Trek Into Darkness Edition
-
The Telefile - The Most Heinous Person on Reality TV This Week
The Telefile - Modern Family: The Best Lines of the Night
The Telefile - Fall TV 2013: What's On When
-
Pop Bytes: Michael Jackson's Nephew Negates Wade Robson's Molestation Claims + More
Watch Macklemore, Kendrick Lamar, Ellie Goulding + More on Hangout Festival Livestream
Dumb Celebrity Quotes – Who Said This?
-
What to Watch This Weekend: The Season Finales of Nikita, Doctor Who, The Simpsons, and Family Guy
The Office Series Finale Review: That'll Do, Show. That'll Do.
Syfy Renews Warehouse 13 for a Fifth and Final Season
Latest Posts
-
The magician just might beat the 'pretend game about pretend business'Friday, May 17, 2013
-
The NatGeo show takes a raw, dark look at life off the gridFriday, May 17, 2013
-
Did you expect the cliffhanger?Thursday, May 16, 2013
-
What did you think of Damon's big moment?Thursday, May 16, 2013
Recent Activity on Facebook
Most Popular on Facebook
Top Stories From Around the Web
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupjeff
July 27, 2011 at 12:32AM EST Reply to Commentshannon might say yes but we dont know till next show
Dee Any idea when new season starts?
July 27, 2011 at 12:41AM ESTnan she obviously says yes as you can see her ring on her finger when they do their little monologues, but would like to know when the new season starts as well??
July 27, 2011 at 1:07PM ESTRobyn
July 27, 2011 at 12:38AM EST Reply to CommentPlease dont tell me we have to wait until next summer to find out the ending of this seasons question...........
john tzivleris
July 27, 2011 at 12:39AM EST Reply to CommentOf course she said yes.... if u look, she is wearing the ring on the couch segments...
Dee Good eye!
July 27, 2011 at 12:43AM ESTDave Hart John, I wonder if she was wearing it when they were staging arguments over the last two weeks on the morning shows. I forgot to look. Of course those were all staged and she even walked off the set on one of them.
July 27, 2011 at 12:45AM ESTkiki yup. confirmed! I noticed the same thing.
July 27, 2011 at 12:45AM ESTDave Hart
July 27, 2011 at 12:42AM EST Reply to CommentOf course she said "yes!" I'm sure the 'hesitation" of her not saying "HELL YES I WILL" Right off the bat did have to do with a bit of shock, but at the same time I'm sure it was drawn out for television. If fact I have a feeling that next season the editing will show it as a bit of a faster response. Good shows always leave the season with BIG cliffhangers. In the annals of this and possibly all reality shows I think that this will be looked at as one of the greatest cliffhangers. Most everything on this show is pre-scripted, however it does somewhat deviate at times from the script, but does still follow the dramatic theory. And yes, of course this all means that they will iron things out! Lastly, I have been to Belize and it is the greatest!
cheryl
July 27, 2011 at 12:43AM EST Reply to Commentshannon said yes...if you look at the interviews with her sister and family, she is wearing her ingagement ring on her ring finger
pbrock16
July 27, 2011 at 12:44AM EST Reply to CommentIf she really loves him I think they should get married I have been married for 38 years tommorrow and had my ups and downs it goes with a marriage have a great wedding and a happy life gene and shannon
Dave Hart Congrats to you for being married for nearly 40 years! That is the true definition of making a marriage work!
July 27, 2011 at 12:47AM ESTDave Hart
July 27, 2011 at 12:50AM EST Reply to CommentWhen they start filming again in the next couple months it will be for the next season. News shows like "E Entertainment", etc will start talking about weddings plans, etc. as they happen, then we'll be able to watch all of it on Family jewels about six to 12 months later. I worked on the show for Season one, so I know have it works. LOL
dstetzler99
July 27, 2011 at 12:58AM EST Reply to Commentyes, I see that she is wearing the ring in the segment and I am glad that she and Gene is getting married I even cryed while watching him get down on his knees.I just love watching Gene & Shannon they belong together.I think Gene should have asked her long before now but she says yes and that is what counts.
dstetzler99
July 27, 2011 at 1:02AM EST Reply to CommentI watched as Gene asked Shannon to marry him and I even cryed.Shannon and Gene has been together for 28yrs and you just dont walk away from that many yrs and call it off so I am sure she said yes.Love you both Shannon and Gene.
Ryan
July 27, 2011 at 7:35AM EST Reply to CommentDo writers no longer proof their work? "asked onf the entire episode"? How does that get through?
MsM
July 27, 2011 at 12:22PM EST Reply to CommentCould you all not see the big honking ring on her hand she kept trying not to show during their commentary shots?
Of course she said yes...but the planning and the back and forth will be the "drama" for the next season. Gene is only about the Benjamins.
Mary I figure to keep the show interesting ... there are such thigs as "long engagements". Now that she has a ring she can string Gene along as he has done her all these years, maybe.
July 28, 2011 at 3:38PM ESTMary
July 28, 2011 at 3:24PM EST Reply to CommentIf you noticed during the show when Shannon and Gene were sitting, talking in one of the infamous red couch scenes, she appears to be wearing the ring on her left hand.
September 11, 2011 at 9:01PM EST Reply to CommentReady for Belize myself. We know she said yes. She is wearing an engagement ring.