TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider recently spoke to Fox 5 Atlanta (the Fox-owned and operated television station in Atlanta, Georgia) and the Associated Press about "Growing Up Twisted", A&E's reality show
based on Dee and his family as they navigate everyday life. Watch the interview clips below.
What happens when Dee Snider, the legendary frontman of heavy metal group TWISTED SISTER, is the "quiet one" in the family? "Growing Up Twisted" follows the outrageous and oddball daily pursuits of the Sniders, who think their zany world is just real life, perfectly normal... only it's not. The seven episode series premieres with two back-to-back half hour episodes on Tuesday, July 27 at 10 p.m and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
"Growing Up Twisted" explores suburban life in Long Island through the eyes of an off-beat but tight-knit family of six who are fiercely independent, strong willed and unafraid to speak their minds. There is Dee, a loving husband, father and newly minted grandfather who is the legendary frontman of heavy metal group TWISTED SISTER, the host of the "House of Hair" radio show and the national spokesperson for the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies; his hot and feisty wife Suzette, a clothing designer and makeup artist and the glue that holds the family together, and their children: Jesse, 27, an aspiring rock musician, husband and new father; Shane, 22, the resident comic;Cody , 20, a budding filmmaker; and Cheyenne, 13, daddy's little girl, who is making the tough transition to teenager.
The series looks at the unpredictable daily life of the Snider clan including: a baptism where a song opens up wounds between father and son; a playful sparring match that has devastating consequences; the inappropriate behavior of a local store clerk that brings the Snider men together in a show of solidarity; and a concert where Dee performs with his offspring. Throughout it all, despite their craziness, the Sniders prove the love that binds them, no matter how twisted, is undeniable.
"Growing Up Twisted" is produced by Evolution Media ("Real Housewives of OrangeCounty ") for A&E. Dee Snider is executive producer and Ron Starrantino is producer. Executive producers for Evolution are Douglas Ross, Greg Stewart, Kathleen French, Alex Baskin and Kevin Lee. Robert Sharenow and Elaine Frontain Bryant are executive producers for A&E.
Episode descriptions:
** "Carpet And Drapes" - Tuesday, July 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Dee decides to get his "Suzette Forever" tattoo redone as a surprise on their 34th anniversary, but is floored to find out that Suzette started the process of removing her "Dee Forever" tattoo. After this ruins their anniversary dinner, Suzette is on a mission to fix things with Dee and designs a new tattoo that she later seductively reveals. Throughout the anniversary plans, the kids realize they've gotten to learn a little "too much information" about their parents' sex life, especially when they find a packet of pink hair dye not intended for their mom's locks.
** "Baptism By Snider" - Tuesday, July 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
TWISTED SISTER lead singer Dee Snider is the lone voice of reason when his family packs a whirlwind of activity into one week. Their eldest son, Jesse, wants to have a christening for his daughter, but a touching tribute song he writes for the event opens up old wounds between father and son. Then the family heads to the city for son Shane's stand-up act, but his brother Cody nearly gets into a fight with a comic that disrespects the Snider clan. Finally, the family needs to pull it all together in time to stage a very touching… and very twisted christening.
** "Are Those Real?" - Tuesday, August 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Shane announces to the family that they all need to help him shoot his sketch, "My Friend Poseidon," for his final improv class with each member of the family taking an important role in the execution. The project hits an unexpected bump when a clerk at the costume store insults Suzette's physique and the Snider boys seek justice. And mother and daughter have a sparring match to exert some pent-up aggression with one another, leaving one with a bloody nose.
** "Empty Nest" - Tuesday, August 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
When her son Jesse reprimands her for trying to pierce his daughter's ears, Suzette decides the real issue is that she is starting to feel some empty nest syndrome. She urges Dee to reverse his vasectomy and visits her doctor only to find out they won't be able to have more children. Dee and Suzette begin to explore adoption but a suprise visit from a social worker from Child Protective Services shatters the couple's dream to adopt.
** "I Still Wanna Rock"
Dee gets a last-minute call to perform in Atlantic City and decides it should be a family affair. While Suzette is ready to party and hits the casino floor with sons Shane and Cody, Dee invites Jesse and Cheyenne to perform. Jess performs "Rock n' Roll Ain't Dead" at the show and Cheyenne sings "Cherry Bomb" with the legendary Lita Ford, both wowing the crowd.
** "Uneasy Riders"
With two children who were born prematurely, Dee dedicates his time to serve as the national spokesperson for the March of Dimes "Bikers for Babies" events. Wanting to involve the whole family in this year's ride, Dee asks Cheyenne to ride with him, Suzette to ride her trike and encourages Jesse to get a Harley, but keep it a secret from Suzette. When Suzette discovers that Jesse has a new bike and is going to ride, she is furious and threatens Dee, who finally convinces her to let Jesse ride. Suzette ends up stalling in the middle of the ride and nearly runs Jesse off the road in her struggle to get her bike to safety. Meanwhile, Shane and Cody don crazy outfits and concoct a competition to see who can sell the most t-shirts... the winner of the competition will wax the other brother.
** "Mommy's Boys"
Shane is graduating college and Suzette has plans for her son; he needs to settle down and find a steady girlfriend. Suzette makes it her mission to find Shane a gal enlisting the help of the family with matchmaking, a dating web site and a mixer. Dee asks that she stop meddling in the boys' lives, but she can't help it and starts pressuring Cody to spend less time with his girlfriend Annie. She reaches a breaking point and jumps to conclusions when she finds Cody editing his movie in his boxers while his girlfriend sits on his bed. Dee convinces Suzette the boys have turned out fine and she needs to stop interfering in their lives.
What happens when Dee Snider, the legendary frontman of heavy metal group TWISTED SISTER, is the "quiet one" in the family? "Growing Up Twisted" follows the outrageous and oddball daily pursuits of the Sniders, who think their zany world is just real life, perfectly normal... only it's not. The seven episode series premieres with two back-to-back half hour episodes on Tuesday, July 27 at 10 p.m and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
"Growing Up Twisted" explores suburban life in Long Island through the eyes of an off-beat but tight-knit family of six who are fiercely independent, strong willed and unafraid to speak their minds. There is Dee, a loving husband, father and newly minted grandfather who is the legendary frontman of heavy metal group TWISTED SISTER, the host of the "House of Hair" radio show and the national spokesperson for the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies; his hot and feisty wife Suzette, a clothing designer and makeup artist and the glue that holds the family together, and their children: Jesse, 27, an aspiring rock musician, husband and new father; Shane, 22, the resident comic;
The series looks at the unpredictable daily life of the Snider clan including: a baptism where a song opens up wounds between father and son; a playful sparring match that has devastating consequences; the inappropriate behavior of a local store clerk that brings the Snider men together in a show of solidarity; and a concert where Dee performs with his offspring. Throughout it all, despite their craziness, the Sniders prove the love that binds them, no matter how twisted, is undeniable.
"Growing Up Twisted" is produced by Evolution Media ("Real Housewives of Orange
Episode descriptions:
** "Carpet And Drapes" - Tuesday, July 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Dee decides to get his "Suzette Forever" tattoo redone as a surprise on their 34th anniversary, but is floored to find out that Suzette started the process of removing her "Dee Forever" tattoo. After this ruins their anniversary dinner, Suzette is on a mission to fix things with Dee and designs a new tattoo that she later seductively reveals. Throughout the anniversary plans, the kids realize they've gotten to learn a little "too much information" about their parents' sex life, especially when they find a packet of pink hair dye not intended for their mom's locks.
** "Baptism By Snider" - Tuesday, July 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
TWISTED SISTER lead singer Dee Snider is the lone voice of reason when his family packs a whirlwind of activity into one week. Their eldest son, Jesse, wants to have a christening for his daughter, but a touching tribute song he writes for the event opens up old wounds between father and son. Then the family heads to the city for son Shane's stand-up act, but his brother Cody nearly gets into a fight with a comic that disrespects the Snider clan. Finally, the family needs to pull it all together in time to stage a very touching… and very twisted christening.
** "Are Those Real?" - Tuesday, August 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Shane announces to the family that they all need to help him shoot his sketch, "My Friend Poseidon," for his final improv class with each member of the family taking an important role in the execution. The project hits an unexpected bump when a clerk at the costume store insults Suzette's physique and the Snider boys seek justice. And mother and daughter have a sparring match to exert some pent-up aggression with one another, leaving one with a bloody nose.
** "Empty Nest" - Tuesday, August 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
When her son Jesse reprimands her for trying to pierce his daughter's ears, Suzette decides the real issue is that she is starting to feel some empty nest syndrome. She urges Dee to reverse his vasectomy and visits her doctor only to find out they won't be able to have more children. Dee and Suzette begin to explore adoption but a suprise visit from a social worker from Child Protective Services shatters the couple's dream to adopt.
** "I Still Wanna Rock"
Dee gets a last-minute call to perform in Atlantic City and decides it should be a family affair. While Suzette is ready to party and hits the casino floor with sons Shane and Cody, Dee invites Jesse and Cheyenne to perform. Jess performs "Rock n' Roll Ain't Dead" at the show and Cheyenne sings "Cherry Bomb" with the legendary Lita Ford, both wowing the crowd.
** "Uneasy Riders"
With two children who were born prematurely, Dee dedicates his time to serve as the national spokesperson for the March of Dimes "Bikers for Babies" events. Wanting to involve the whole family in this year's ride, Dee asks Cheyenne to ride with him, Suzette to ride her trike and encourages Jesse to get a Harley, but keep it a secret from Suzette. When Suzette discovers that Jesse has a new bike and is going to ride, she is furious and threatens Dee, who finally convinces her to let Jesse ride. Suzette ends up stalling in the middle of the ride and nearly runs Jesse off the road in her struggle to get her bike to safety. Meanwhile, Shane and Cody don crazy outfits and concoct a competition to see who can sell the most t-shirts... the winner of the competition will wax the other brother.
** "Mommy's Boys"
Shane is graduating college and Suzette has plans for her son; he needs to settle down and find a steady girlfriend. Suzette makes it her mission to find Shane a gal enlisting the help of the family with matchmaking, a dating web site and a mixer. Dee asks that she stop meddling in the boys' lives, but she can't help it and starts pressuring Cody to spend less time with his girlfriend Annie. She reaches a breaking point and jumps to conclusions when she finds Cody editing his movie in his boxers while his girlfriend sits on his bed. Dee convinces Suzette the boys have turned out fine and she needs to stop interfering in their lives.