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1 Shannon Tweed’s Family Jewels: Why Stay at Home Moms Don’t Get Standing Ovations By Maria Suzanne Boyd Georgia State University Reality TV is hard on moms. Perhaps that is the most real thing about reality-based programming. Maternal labor is rarely acknowledged as actual work once a woman has delivered her child. And now that we live in an era where surveillance culture and entertainment have become nearly indistinguishable, audiences can serve as arm-chair social workers as we admonish women who are unable to provide an appropriate domestic environment for their unruly children. What would make these women seem more capable as parents in our eyes? Scholars Laurie Ouellette and James Hay have argued that in a neoliberal society reality programming operates as a tool to educate people on what it means to be a good citizen- consumer. Those who live beyond the pale of normative, middle-class consumerism are portrayed as aberrations. They are freaks to be ridiculed. As our call for this round table notes, much of these mommy-bashing reality shows focus on lower class parents. If Honey Boo Boo’s mother spent her meager family income on appropriate products rather than exorbitant toddler beauty pageant fees and costumes would her family be better off? Would Mama be a better mother? Would we acknowledge the fact that this woman, with limited education and modest means, is raising four daughters who, at least on camera, appear to be members of a happy, loving home? Unfortunately, I think despite what income level or class status a woman has, the immaterial labor of her motherwork is not seen as a job or career. Even women who may enjoy the privilege of affluence are not exempt from having their roles as primary care givers devalued. I offer Shannon Tweed’s role on A&Es Gene Simmon’s Family Jewels as an example. The program chronicles the life of Gene Simmons, the front man of the rock band KISS, his long 2 time girlfriend, former Playboy Playmate, Shannon Tweed, and their two teen-aged children Nick and Sophie. The early seasons of the show have the light hearted tone of a family sitcom. Episodes feature the kids working on school projects, Gene going on various business trips to expand his vast KISS merchandising empire, and Shannon and her sister, Tracy, having Lucy and Ethel styled adventures and mishaps. The tone of the program takes a dramatic turn in season six. The children had grown and are leaving home. And Shannon had grown tired of the decades of Gene’s highly publicized philandering. The sixth season begins with the couple separating and ends with Gene winning Shannon back after going to televised therapy sessions. The season six finale concludes with Gene and Shannon’s fairytale wedding. The seventh season opens with the couple settling in to married life and Shannon’s revelation that she wanted to adopt a child. Gene asks her why, now that their children were adults, would she want to start all over again as a parent. Shannon’s reply is simple, “You’re showing no signs of slowing down. If you’re not quitting your job, why should I quit my job.” Shannon clearly sees her role as mother as her career. Additionally, she explains to many of her friends throughout the season, that she has no talents other than taking care of people. Gene reluctantly participates in foster parent orientation sessions with Shannon in the hopes that she will change her mind, while Nick states time and again that his mother needs to just get a hobby if she is bored. Sophie, warns her mother that Gene would “get in to trouble” with other women again if she spends her time with a new child instead of giving him the “attention he needs.” Shannon maintains that decision to adopt is hers, and though Gene agrees, he also announces that he is planning to go back out on tour with KISS. When Shannon realizes she would be raising a child alone just as she had with her first children, she decides to suspend her plans to enroll in the foster parenting program. 3 Gene Simmon’s Family Jewels demonstrates that motherwork does not have an equal status or value to a job performed outside the home. But, it also examines what it means to be a father. Sophie, reminds Gene that although he was a great provider for the family he was nearly always absent and he was “not a good father.” Gene’s “workaholic” tendencies are interrogated far more than his infidelity. And home is articulated as a place where one bonds with family rather than works. But, what does this mean for Shannon’s role as mother? I would argue that this home versus work dichotomy ultimately erases the immateriality of being a primary care- giver. Shannon is regarded as a nurturer, but her family does not acknowledge her affective labor. To them, she is a Mom. She does not have a job. .

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