The weirdest thing about “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” is that the tongue-dangling KISS frontman isn’t nearly the misogynistic jerk he seems to be in interviews (like his infamous sparring with Terri Gross on “Fresh Air”: mp3 | transcript). The new series, which airs on A&E, is essentially “The Osbournes,” only a whole lot tamer, and with a different hard rock icon as patriarch. But the rest of the formula is similar, as cameras capture the home life of Simmons and his family, which include teenage kids Nick (17) and Sophie (14), and Playboy Playmate partner Shannon Tweed.

While out and about with cameras in tow, Simmons goes into a-hole rock star mode, ogling chicks and making crude one-liners, but back at home he’s a sweetheart family man who adores his wife and kids (though the irony that his daughter is 14 going on 25 is not lost on him). Whether meddling with Nick’s band practice or shopping for jewelry with Sophie, Simmons is a fun dad –- good-natured, funny and sweet. In other words, not at all like his makeup-wearing, blood-spitting, fire-breathing rock demon persona.

“Family Jewels” is well-made wholesome fun, which is to say, not very rock & roll. Then again, Simmons made much of his moolah through shrewd marketing not shrewd partying so it sort of makes sense. He also sports no tats and proudly spouts that he’s never touched a drug or a drop of alcohol. The show may not be loud or offensive or bombastic in a KISS sort of way, but it is light-hearted and harmless enough -– and with Simmons acting as executive producer -– the show is just another Simmons-approved product hoping to extend the brand and sustain his family’s (not very) rock & roll lifestyle.

Check out a clip of the show below, or check your local listings for airtimes.

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