A&E Wants More of Simmons' 'Family Jewels'

Zap2It.com | November 30, 2006

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Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed, 'Gene Simmons Family Jewels'
Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed, 'Gene Simmons Family Jewels'
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Network orders up 20 episodes of family hijinx

A&E has ordered up a 20-episodes second season for the real-life family drama "Gene Simmons Family Jewels."

The cable network's best original series launch since 2004's "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "Family Jewels" averaged 1.3 million viewers per premiere episode in its first season.

"Our viewers have really connected with Gene and his family," says Bob DeBitetto, executive vice president and general manager at A&E. "'Gene Simmons Family Jewels' is a great example of A&E's unique brand of peal-life series, presenting remarkable personal stories in an entertaining but always honest way."

The series revolves around the unusual relationship between KISS frontman Simmons, longtime girlfriend Shannon Tweed and their two kids and helped boost its time period viewership among adults 18-49 by an impressive 56 percent.

Production has already begun on the second season with a 2007 premiere pending.

"Now that A&E has picked us up for another 20 shows, I suppose they expect me to put out. I will," says the ever-tactful Simmons. "My family, Shannon, Nick and Sophie, my partners Leslie Greif and Adam Reed, the entire staff and I have a 'take no prisoners' approach to doing things. It's our way or the highway and we're proud to be back."
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