Ozzy's True Stripes

Reason.com ^ | May 7 2002 | Sara Rimensnyder

[Senator Pardek]

After this weekend, we all have new reason to worship Ozzy Osbourne. While hamming it up as one of the stars of the annual glitzfest known as the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, the heavy metal papa was asked what message he wanted to pass on to the president.

Some of Hollywood's beautiful people, puffed up with self-importance (among other things), would have felt the need to twitter portentously about their current cause celèbre.

Not Ozzy. He's his own cause celèbre, and all he wants is dual-citizenship. " I want to be American," he called out. "America is the coolest place on the face of the Earth. You've got freedom of speech. You've got McDonald's."

Clearly, Osbourne's already an American at heart: Only a true Yankee spirit could be at once so patriotic and so gloriously self-interested. Of course, this being the outspoken, opinionated U.S.A., not everyone agrees. Lynne Cheney reportedly joined the short list of naysayers after the dinner. "He's hardly someone we should be applauding... not a role model, I am rather embarrassed."

Ozzy's not. Nor should he be.

[Xenalyte]

More than likely both - those guys can afford the good hooch!

[DoughtyOne]

Figured I'd see you here. You never miss an opportunity to defend Bush for doing the defenseless do you.

[Nitro]

Most people wouldn't complain about a well researched piece...

also keep in mind information offered does not have to be information accessed!!

[Sally II]

Oh, lighten up. So Ozzy is a strange man, and he appears to be a little damaged from his years of substance abuse. But Ozzy's presence at the event was nothing more or less than entertainment.

By the way, I know Pat Boone got to know Ozzy pretty well a few years back when he did his In a Metal Mood album. Boone got a LOTS of flack from the Christian community for his association with Ozzy. But I really respect Boone for standing his ground and refuse to go along with their harsh judgement and condemnation toward Ozzy and his big band interpretation of metal lyrics. In an interview he stated something to the effect of: "Ozzy is just a man. And he's gone through a lot of trials in his life, like any other person. He's not evil."

[DoughtyOne]

Listen Delbert, do you think Osbourn is a good source of entertainment for MTV, and the ten to fourteen year old kids that watch?

[Delbert]

I dont need to defend Bush , he can defend himself. I was speaking for Ozzy, someone you seem to hate, Either Ozzy stole your girlfriend in the 70's or ate one of your housepets in the 80's and you are still holding a grudge.

[Xenalyte]

Do you think perhaps the parents should be the judges of that?

[geaux]

Supposedly, the Boones are the Osbournes' favorite neighbors.

[Delbert]

We watch the Osbournes every Tuesday nite at 10:30 est and we enjoy it, Me, My wife and 17 and 10 year old sons. You have not watched the show have you?

[Delbert]

PAT BOONE ROCKS!!! by the way do you think that is Pat doing the opening song on the show?....I have the Metal Mood cd, but I didnt notice on the show credits, who is singing the Lounge version of Crazy Train.

[billbears]

I think he's a better source of entertainment than most of what's on MTV to tell the truth. You don't see Ozzy have banana licking or wet T-shirt contests do you? You don't see Ozzy doing most of the stuff that is rampant on MTV. Did he use drugs? At one time, yes. Does he drink a bit too much? Probably. Does he curse too much? Maybe, but really it's in his speech as expletives more than it is as a suggestion to someone of the opposite sex compared to how the language is used on most MTV shows. Are his kids strange? Heck yes, but again compared to some of the rap artists and half naked teen queens on MTV, I'd consider them normal.

Point being, rock and roll might be a bit over the top, it might even be a little crazy, but compared to today's music and attitude, Ozzy is more like a 50s show than something on MTV

[GSWarrior]

I'd take the Osbournes over Will & Grace, West Wing and just about every other show on television.

[Dales]

He says no such thing.

[stainlessbanner]

Tell me you don't watch this show BillBears. Say it ain't so!

[GoreIsLove]

I'd take the Osbournes over Will & Grace, West Wing and just about every other show on television

I'd take torture over Will & Grace and West Wing

[stainlessbanner]

I saw the keywords on this post and suddenly got hungry...hmmmm!

[DoughtyOne]

The Oz man described himself as the Prince of Darkness the other night. Is this what you expose your ten year old to? Yes I have watched portions of the Ozbourn show and I wouldn't expose my kids to that filth. What Ozzie does on his own time I could care less. What he represents to children I do care about. Do I hate the man? What is it with the people on this forum? If you disagree with what someone does you are automatically judged to hate them. I can't think of a single person on the planet that I hate. I can think of many of them that I do not wish to have my children emulate.

There's your answer Xenalyte.

[Delbert]

Except for the Osbournes ,I HAVE given up on MTV. Beavis and Butthead ran it's course. Except for the Osbournes, MTV is unfortunately a big source of gay propaganda lately...quite sickening. Unfortunately by watching Ozzy it may even further their cause. Back in the old days, MTV used to play music videos...then eventually it was everything but music videos. Jackass is pretty funny as well.

[billbears]

Yes I've watched it once or twice. Could do without the cursing but like I said compared to what else is on MTV, this is tame.

< excuse making time> Hey but I had to tune in!! I grew up on Ozzy's music and I'm somewhat still normal LOL!!

[GSWarrior]

I'm kind of proud of all the network television shows that I have not seen a single episode of. Could it be that I have a life?