The Osbournes – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Osbournes

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2002

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Ozzy Osbourne's profanity-laden family reality show that was MTV's biggest hit in 2002—now feels like a time capsule of early-aughts chaos.

84%

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The Osbournes

show

TV-MA, 2002

22%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Ozzy Osbourne's profanity-laden family reality show that was MTV's biggest hit in 2002—now feels like a time capsule of early-aughts chaos.

84%

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84%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: The Osbournes was a massive cultural phenomenon in 2002, but watching it now is like opening a time capsule that maybe should've stayed buried. The constant bleeping of F-bombs gets old fast, and what felt edgy and groundbreaking 23 years ago now just feels exhausting and dated.

The show has virtually no redeeming developmental value—it's dysfunction as entertainment, full stop. While there are genuine moments of family love buried under all the chaos and cursing, you're not going to walk away enriched or enlightened. You'll mostly walk away wondering how they lived like that and why everyone's yelling.

For parents: this is absolutely not for kids or even young teens. The 17+ rating is spot-on. For adults curious about early reality TV history or feeling nostalgic for 2002 MTV? Sure, knock yourself out. But don't expect it to hold up well—the pacing is chaotic, the humor is dated, and honestly, there are better ways to spend your time in 2025.

Age Fit

This is strictly 17+ content due to pervasive profanity, substance abuse references, and mature themes. Even for older teens, it's more of a nostalgia watch for millennials than something modern teens would find engaging—it's painfully dated and the humor doesn't translate well 20+ years later.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Reality show featuring constant profanity, family dysfunction, substance use references, and chaotic household dynamics. While there are genuine family moments, the tone is far from emotionally healthy modeling—it's built on yelling, cursing, and dysfunction as entertainment. Not age-appropriate for younger viewers and doesn't model kindness or cooperation in meaningful ways.

Imaginative

As a reality show, it offers no creative expression opportunities or imaginative play. It was groundbreaking in 2002 for its unfiltered look at celebrity family life, but there's minimal curiosity-building or exploration beyond voyeuristic entertainment. The format itself was innovative at the time but doesn't invite viewers to create or build anything.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 17+. Heavy profanity throughout every episode, references to substance abuse, sexual content and innuendo, family conflict that can be intense, and overall adult themes. While there's no graphic violence or gore, the constant cursing and mature content make it inappropriate for younger viewers. The chaos and dysfunction could be triggering for kids from similar household situations.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value. Viewers might gain some insight into celebrity life behind the scenes and see that famous families have problems too, which could normalize family struggles. However, it's primarily entertainment through dysfunction rather than offering meaningful life lessons or skill-building. The show doesn't provide ethical growth opportunities or particularly insightful takeaways beyond 'famous people curse a lot.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Groundbreaking reality TV that showed celebrities as real (dysfunctional) people, not polished images
Genuine family affection does peek through the chaos—they clearly love each other despite the yelling
Cultural touchstone that defined early 2000s MTV and launched the celebrity reality TV genre
For older teens/adults interested in pop culture history, it's a fascinating artifact of pre-social media celebrity exposure

⚠

What to Watch For

Constant, unrelenting profanity—the bleeps are basically a soundtrack
Substance abuse references, sexual content, and mature themes throughout
Family dysfunction as entertainment might not sit well depending on your household dynamics
Extremely dated—the 2002 aesthetic, technology, and humor style make it feel ancient
Zero educational or developmental value; this is purely adult entertainment

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people were so interested in watching a celebrity family's daily life back in 2002?"
"How has reality TV changed since this show aired? What's different about how we see celebrities now?"
"Do you think it's okay to air family arguments and conflicts on TV? Where's the line?"
"What do you think it was like for the Osbourne kids to grow up with cameras in their house?"

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