Admit it. You loved the hell out of “The Osbournes” when it first came on. Sure, it’s worn out it’s welcome mat over the years, but Monday marks the final, final, final episode. We called Sharon Osbourne to chat about the end of an era and why the heck Dr. Phil makes a cameo appearance on the finale. Here’s what the tart had to say:
Ohmygosh. I can’t believe it’s really going to be over.
(Laughs.) Can you believe it?
No, can you?
Yes, it’s time, you know?
Why?
You have to end on top. You can’t milk it. The thing is, I think we made a great statement. We made a great impact. We opened the doors for so many other people, and it’s just time for us to move on.
How do you want “The Osbournes” to be remembered in TV history?
I want it to be remembered that Ozzy was the first celebrity who was brave enough to open up his private life to the public. He was the first.
What do you think about all these copycats? It seems like EVERYONE is doing it now.
It’s amazing to me. You can get arrested, you can serve time, you can break the law and then you get your own reality show. You can suck someone’s… and you get a reality show. It’s amazing.
Who are you talking about specifically on that last one?
(Laughs.) Shut up! You know! Well, mind you she did suck it and speak on the phone at the same time, so I suppose that is something special.
Definitely. Do you have any regrets about the show?
It depends what day you ask. Now that it’s over, it’s been one hell of a ride. It’s been an amazing experience. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Do you think all of your family members feel the same way?
They do.
What do you think your life would’ve been like if the show hadn’t been on?
We would still have been doing the same thing. Ozzy still tours, still makes records. We would have gone on doing that. We were blessed. We were lucky enough to have another experience, which was doing this show, so we were very lucky.
Tell me about this whole Dr. Phil finale thing. Why would you ever want him coming over to your house?
How do you end four years? We thought maybe we ought to have someone who is an expert on families and family problems. Let’s bring him, and we’ll see what he thinks. Let’s see where he thinks we went wrong or we went right.
What did he have to say?
I was really cynical at first, I have to tell you. I was like, “Oh yeah, what’s Dr. Phil have to tell us?” This, that and the other. He’s actually extremely bright. I have lots of respect for the man now. He’s spot on.
What kind of criticism did he have for you as the mother?
He gave me criticism which I felt was correct. I didn’t give my kids a lot of structure when they were growing up, and I should have put more guidelines down with them. I definitely should have done that. I sort of knew that within myself but never admitted it. The one thing he taught me was even though they’re still young adults, they’re still at the age were I can teach them. I can put a lot of things right.
What did Ozzy think of Dr. Phil?
He was amazed by him, I think. He’s so intuitive, and Ozzy was really taken aback by him.
What’s been the hardest part of having cameras around for four years?
I never had a problem with the cameras in the house. I suppose the hardest part is nothing in your life is secret. That’s the deal you make when you sign up for this. There is no privacy.
And the best part?
The fame! It opened up doors. Ozzy didn’t need it. Ozzy’s always been famous. But the rest of us, it gave us the opportunity to do something we could’ve never done and meet some amazing people.
Why end it like this? Why not have some huge event? This seems sort of quiet.
The thing is we had fizzled out as a unit because our children are young adults, because they’re in the process of moving away from home. To us, it wasn’t a big hurrah that it’s over. It’s kind of bittersweet. It’s just time.
Is your house on the market? What’s up with that?
We’re thinking of selling it. It’s really sort of become our office. It’s not like coming home. Everybody knows where we sleep. Everybody knows what our bed is like. It would be nice to have something that’s kind of more ours than the world’s.
What’s next? Would you ever do another reality TV show?
No, I think we were the first. We have to move on and do something different. I think it’s very important that you keep reinventing and moving on. You can’t think I’ll go to another network and bring the cameras back in again?
On the other side of the pond, you’re doing another season of “The X Factor” with Simon Cowell. What’s that like?
It is a talent show, but it’s very different from “American Idol.” Much more intense, much more involved. The judges are much more involved with the artists. On a creative level, it’s much more interesting. You don’t just sit there and say, “I don’t like this song.” You choose the song for them.
Would you do an American version?
It’s Simon’s show. I don’t know whether Simon would have me. I hope that he would pick me, but we’ll see.
I don’t know why not.
He might be fed up with the old tart!
Do you miss the camera and sound guys in your house?
We miss them terribly. Everything had to end. I’m so glad we ended it when we did. Now, it’s like, Jesus Christ, how many more reality shows can you have with celebrities?
I don’t think we’ll ever know the answer to that.
No, because I don’t think that it will ever end now.
Do you like any of the other shows?
I don’t know. Some of the shows that I’ve seen I really don’t like.
What shows do you like?
“24.” I love “Nip/Tuck.” I’m obsessed with it.
Why is that?
Because I’m looking for a surgeon that looks like one of those guys!
I noticed you didn’t say any reality shows.
Nope. One show that absolutely offends me is Gotti.
What? (We couldn’t understand her through her accent.) Gotti.
Oh, Victoria Gotti?
I’m sorry. I don’t see doing a reality show on somebody because their father was a hood, I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. I detest anything to do with violence. Not saying that she’s a violent woman, but she stems from a very violent family. And I just don’t like it. It’s just further evidence that, in the world of TV, bad behavior gets rewarded. Martha Stewart goes into prison, she comes out and she’s got yet another TV show. Maybe if I rob a bank I can get a new show.
I don’t think you’d have to do that, Sharon. OK, well, I think that’s everything I wanted to ask you. Thanks for talking about the end of an era.
I know. But I kind of get satisfaction in it. In some little way, we made a niche. I hope we go down in TV history as the first celebrity family to open their doors and then many followed.
