While Gene Simmons may be best known as the long-tongued bassist from Kiss, he's slowly but surely proving he also has a knack for reality TV, as 'Gene Simmons Family Jewels' sails into its fourth season Sundays at 9 p.m. on A&E.The show gives fans and voyeurs a peek behind the makeup into the rock icon's family life with longtime girlfriend Shannon Tweed, son Nick, daughter Sophie and dog Snippy.
Gene talked to AOL TV about his disdain for marriage, why he could take anyone's girl and how Adam Lambert may have already killed his post-'American Idol' career. -- By Katy Kroll
Now that Nick's off at college, might he get his own reality show?
I don't think he's interested, actually. He was just offered a motion picture, but it doesn't really appeal to him. He's got his graphic novel, called 'Incarnate,' so he's more about drawing and writing, and he's got music too. If the right movie comes along he'll do that. Likewise for Sophie. But the only job Sophie and Nick have is to do well in school and be charming young adults. That's it. That's their job.
How has your notorious experience with women influenced the way you've raised Sophie?
I hope the only lesson she ever learned from Dad, or the main one, is that women are trapped and you'll never get out of that unless you stop defining yourself by men. Women get married, they take the guy's last name. If you read all of those really stupid, idiotic women's magazines, all of them talk about how to stay eternally youthful. But the worst part of it is, "10 Ways to Keep Him Interested" or "10 Things He Likes to Eat." "What Is He Thinking?" "Where Is This Going?" All that stuff is the ruin of women, and Sophie understands that. Sophie has boyfriends, but she's nobody's girlfriend. Women are free. You are no longer indentured slaves. You can get married if you want to, and if you don't want to, that's OK too.
Gene Simmons Photos
BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM American Idol Grand Finale 2009. Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, CA. May 20, 2009. Job: 90520TC1 www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com Pictured: Gene Simmons
TOBY/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM
BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM American Idol Grand Finale 2009. Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, CA. May 20, 2009. Job: 90520TC1 www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com Pictured: Gene Simmons
TOBY/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM
BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM American Idol Grand Finale 2009. Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, CA. May 20, 2009. Job: 90520TC1 www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com Pictured: Gene Simmons
TOBY/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tommy Thayer;Paul Stanley;Eric Singer;Gene Simmons;KISS
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tommy Thayer;Paul Stanley;Eric Singer;Gene Simmons;KISS
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tommy Thayer;Paul Stanley;Eric Singer;Gene Simmons;KISS
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tommy Thayer;Paul Stanley;Eric Singer;Gene Simmons;KISS
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tommy Thayer;Paul Stanley;Eric Singer;Gene Simmons;KISS
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tommy Thayer;Paul Stanley;Eric Singer;Gene Simmons;KISS
Getty Images
Musicians Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Gene Simmons of KISS pose in the press room during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. "American Idol" Grand Finale 2009 - Press Room Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States May 20, 2009 Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com To license this image (16805048), contact WireImage.com
Steve Granitz/WireImage.com
Speaking of marriage, you're really never going to marry Shannon, are you?
I'm never going to marry anybody. It's an archaic institution; it doesn't work. If you take a look at it strictly as a business, forget the emotions and the love, it's a failure. The statistics are horrifying. It's a financial model that doesn't work. You need a cohabitation agreement with individual counsel, so you two decide what the relationship should be, not the government. And if you don't do that, then when you get divorced, because statistics tell us you will, then somebody other than the mother who gave you life is going to take 50% of your gross pre-tax dollars plus the car, the jewelry, the clothing and the houses. Anybody I've lived with I've had a cohabitation agreement with, and I've lived with Cher and Diana Ross. And I would urge everybody to do that, especially since women find men with money to be appealing. Whereas we don't care if you have a dime.
Do you mind if women are interested in you just because of your wealth and status?
Well, you just have to understand where the minefield is. I'm aware that if I didn't earn a lot of money and have a certain stature then I'm less appealing to women. Period. Shannon included. Tell me if this is true: Two guys are talking, two girls are talking. The guy says to his friend, "I've got a blind date for you." The friend replies, "What does she look like?" Two girls are talking: "I've got a blind date for you." "Really? What does he do?" A guy pulls up in a Volkswagen from the 1960s and says, "Let's go on a date and eat beans and franks." Next day, same guy pulls up in a Rolls Royce and says, "I'm taking you to Paris" -- which one do you want? But men don't care if you have a job, a dime or a car. We just don't care as long as you look good.
So would you find it intimidating if a woman was more successful than you?
No. But a lot of men do. I'm delusional though. I think I'm God's gift. I'm the man all women dream of. I know I'm not the best looking guy in the world, or the worst looking guy. I have average looks. But I know I can walk into a party and take anybody's girl.
Adam Lambert's performance with Kiss on 'American Idol' was amazing. But I'm a little bummed you've been talking smack about him ...
I don't think I've been talking smack at all. In fact, if anything, I've been soft-peddling. He's enormously talented, best talent 'American Idol' has had, but I think he killed his career because now the conversation is not about his talent but about his sexual preference. He's done. You're forcing people to deal with issues they may not be interested in. Life is unfair, and the masses don't all live in L.A. They live in Wisconsin and Nebraska, and you're on crack if you think the same rules apply there. My advice is still the same, shut the f*** up, just sing and let people say whatever they want. But I do wish him the best because he's got all the talent in the world. If only the world was not homophobic, but it is. I would be the first one to vote for equal rights for gay women and men, and get the church and the state to stop telling everybody how to lead their lives, but do I think he's killed his career? Oh, in an instant. I hope I'm completely wrong. I hope he becomes the next Beatles and proves me wrong.
Adam Lambert on American Idol'
'American Idol' runner up Adam Lambert performs on NBC's 'Today' Show in New York in this May 28, 2009 file photo. Before he became a household name, the flamboyant singer spent three years recording songs for Los Angeles-based Wilshire Records. The label has joined forces with Hi Fi Recordings to release the 11-track album "On With the Show" this summer. The first single, "Want," went on sale at digital music retailer iTunes on Tuesday June 23, 2009. Lambert co-wrote nine of the songs, working mostly with Madonna's guitarist, Monte Pittman. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/Files (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
In this image released by Fox, the top ten finalists for season 8 of "American Idol," clockwise from top left, Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, and Kris Allen are shown in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Fox, Ray Mickshaw) ** NO SALES **
AP
FILE - In this June 7, 2009 file photo, singer Adam Lambert arrives at the Hollywood Life 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)
AP
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert poses at the Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards in Santa Monica, California in this June 7, 2009 file photo. In excerpts released on June 9, 2009, Lambert has told Rolling Stone magazine that he is gay, answering a question that followed the singer for months since he gained millions of fans on "American Idol." Picture taken June 7. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/Files (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert appears on NBC's "Today" Show in New York in this May 28, 2009 file photo. In excerpts released on June 9, 2009, Lambert has told Rolling Stone magazine that he is gay, answering a question that followed the singer for months since he gained millions of fans on "American Idol." Picture taken May 28, 2009. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/Files (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT HEADSHOT)
Reuters
In this magazine cover image released by Rolling Stone, American Idol, runner-up Adam Lambert is shown on the cover of the June 25, 2009, issue, which hits newsstands on Friday, June 12. (AP Photo/Rolling Stone) NO SALES
AP
In this magazine cover image released by Rolling Stone, "American Idol," runner-up Adam Lambert is shown on the cover of the June 25, 2009, issue, which hits newsstands on Friday, June 12. (AP Photo/Rolling Stone) ** NO SALES **
AP
Singer Adam Lambert poses for a portrait at Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards held at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage on June 7, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards - Portraits The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage Santa Monica, California United States June 7, 2009 Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com To license this image (57629677), contact WireImage.com
Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com
Singer Adam Lambert (L) and American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi pose for a portrait at Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards held at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage on June 7, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards - Portraits The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage Santa Monica, California United States June 7, 2009 Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com To license this image (57629674), contact WireImage.com
Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 07: Actor Adam Lambert arrives at the 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards on June 7, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert
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Reader Comments (360)
sher at 12:48AM on Jun 26th 2009
who ask nick to be in a movie? Will they have a coach and a smart ass theme? Please do not insult the public. you old and greedy and want to buy your off spings a place in the real world of talent.
Kandypantz at 1:02AM on Jun 26th 2009
Adam's will be great because the world and it's people have grown. A talent like his come along once in 3 or 4 decades. The public is ready for what he can do (to us and for us) with that voice and his look. He is a handsome man. He is young so who know where he will go sexually? we are ready for the album and where his talent can take us. I feel sexual when i hear him.I am not with him (never gonna be) but it makes me hot with my partner. We just want him and all his talent brings. People know what they have been thristing for.Adam Lambert is the real raw deal. He is a sex pistol and we want to die by the gun. Let us.
Annie at 10:37PM on Jul 3rd 2009
Isn't it funny how Simmons says Adam ruined his career by admitting he is gay yet look what follows this article, ADAM LAMBERT PHOTOS, 500 BEAUTIFUL ADAM PHOTOS! Oh yeah, look there's a picture of Gene (who?) performing with Adam
lucie at 4:23AM on Jun 27th 2009
everyone knew simmons was bisexual in the beginning. he still screwed people out of millions.
Mary Jane at 9:21PM on Jun 27th 2009
Does anyone really care what Simmons thinks of Adam? Adam is incredibly talented, sexy and has charisma that will make him a superstar. I don't care that Adam is gay and neither does my 88 yr old father. I live in a small town in TN and I will buy Adam's cd when it comes out in the fall. We love Adam and his amazing voice. Simmons is egotistical, vain and he cannot "take" any woman he wants. He needs a reality checkup and not a reality show. GROW UP GENE.
tbrooks at 8:09PM on Jun 28th 2009
shut up gene and who the fuck are you? youre tired and old. Adam is one of the most talented singers we have seen in a long time. you have a problem with gay people? everyone knows you have been bi-sexual your entire life. Adam is going to have a huge career. Youre just jealous because your old, tired and so damn ugly these days. Adam is going to be the newest and biggest star we have seen in a very long time. Take youre tired reality show and go drive off in to the sunset and be a decent man and marry shannon. you are lucky you are still around after all the drugs you have done. you have no right to make an arrogant comment about anyone.
toni at 8:09PM on Jun 28th 2009
Gene Simmons is a washed up jerk..
MDCaver at 8:20PM on Jun 28th 2009
Everytime I hear something about Adam Lambert, I have a vision of him singing ZZTop's "Tube Steak Boogie." I agree with Gene Simmons, his career will be short.
BUDDY at 8:24PM on Jun 28th 2009
I AM STRAIGHT..AND DONT GIVE A FLYING --CK IF ADAM IS GAY, BISEXUAL OR STRAIGHT......ITS ABOUT HIS MUSIC...HIS TALENT...HIS VOICE.....I DONT WANT TO SLEEP WITH HIM..JUST WATCH AND LISTEN TO HIM adam rocks!!!!
S W at 8:25PM on Jun 28th 2009
Well, I AM from Wisconsin and I am a huge Adam fan! We all knew he was gay when his whole "Idol" trip began! Give us some credit, the guy is super talented, and that is what matters!