Meet The Osbournes

Here is the family that gave a brand new spin to the concept of reality TV. The time was when Ozzy Osbourne was known mainly as the heavy metal singer who bit the head off a bat. Now he has become the millennium's answer to the classic sitcom dad.

If you have seen Ozzy only on "The Osbournes" on MTV, you might find it hard to believe that this is the same guy. But 15 years ago, in 1988, this is how he looked.

Here's Ozzy as he looked seven years later, in 1995, a bit more weathered and in the process of raising a family with Sharon. On "The Osbournes," she once described traveling with Ozzy in his tour bus, sleeping in the back with a crib set up next to their bed.

Sharon Osbourne is clearly the backbone of her family. This year, her battle with colon cancer is being dealt with on "The Osbournes" in a straightforward fashion. On the second episode this season, she told the camera that she is not ready "to croak...and certainly not with a wig on."

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne share a laugh in 2001.

Sharon arrives at the 30th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, May 16, 2003 in New York.

Actor/director Quentin Tarantino shows talk show host Sharon Osbourne some fight moves from his new movie, "Kill Bill," while taping an episode of "The Sharon Osbourne Show," Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, in Los Angeles.

Kelly Osbourne, described by Sharon as "a drama queen," had something of a hit with a remake of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach." She came out this year with a CD, "Shut Up," that prompted People magazine's reviewer to crack: "You shut up."

Kelly arrives for the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 31, 2003.

Kelly arrives for the EMI post Grammy Party in New York in February 2003.

Jack Osbourne famously fights with his sister, Kelly, and sets off the sprinkler to greet fans who make the pilgrimage to the Osbourne home. He also gets excited about the little things in life, like the return of the McRib sandwich.

Kelly and her mother have the kind of relationship where Sharon can tell the world that her daughter likes "young, smelly boys" and torture Kelly during a hangover by telling her to eat bacon and butter on a roll. Or little pink sausages.

On the other hand, Kelly feels free to scold her father about ordering the adult channel in his hotel room. And it's really touching to see how Ozzy reacts to his daughter's salty conversation, clearly seeing her through the eyes of a typical adoring father.

Among the most famous young people in America, Jack and Kelly were hosts of the 30th annual American Music Awards in Los Angeleson Jan. 13, 2003. Here, they pose for photographers as they arrive.

"The Osbournes" has brought Ozzy and his family into the mainstream. Kelly performed at the MTV awards show, and, as shown here, Ozzy himself was invited to entertain at Queen Elizabeth's official jubilee celebration at Buckingham Palace.

And, finally, a symbol of true acceptance by the Hollywood establishmet: A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From left, it's Sharon, Ozzy, Kelly, and Jack. As always, missing from the public line-up is another Osbourne daughter, Aimee, who has opted out of the reality program.