The Osbournes Want to Believe is an American reality television series that premiered on August 2, 2020, on the Travel Channel. The show features Jack Osbourne as he attempts to convince his famously skeptical parents, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, of the existence of various paranormal phenomena. Each episode showcases Jack presenting a series of "jaw-dropping" supernatural videos to Ozzy and Sharon, ranging from UFOs, Bigfoot, poltergeists, and haunted dolls, to unexplained apparitions and cryptids. The series highlights the family's unique and often humorous reactions and critiques to the footage, with Jack serving as the "paranormal investigator" and his parents offering their often disbelieving or comical commentary. The show ran for two seasons, totaling 28 episodes, concluding its original broadcast run on October 31, 2021.
The core concept of The Osbournes Want to Believe centers on Jack Osbourne's personal mission to convert his parents, Ozzy and Sharon, into believers in the supernatural. Jack, who has a well-documented interest and career in paranormal investigation (including hosting shows like Portals to Hell), curates a selection of alleged real-life footage. These videos depict a wide range of inexplicable events and creatures, such as alien encounters, Sasquatch sightings, ghostly interactions, and other unexplained phenomena.
Ozzy and Sharon, both known for their strong personalities and often cynical outlooks, watch these clips alongside Jack from their home. Their reactions form the central entertainment of the series. While Jack earnestly tries to present compelling evidence, his parents frequently offer unfiltered, humorous, and sometimes skeptical commentary, often leading to lively family banter. The show aims to blend elements of paranormal investigation with the established comedic and chaotic family dynamic that made The Osbournes a cultural phenomenon, but with a new thematic focus. The segments often include brief educational moments where Jack explains common paranormal terms or theories to his parents.
The series consists of two seasons, totaling 28 episodes.
The first season premiered on August 2, 2020, and featured 8 episodes.
The second season premiered on August 22, 2021, and featured 20 episodes.
The Osbournes Want to Believe was greenlit by the Travel Channel, with the concept originating from Jack Osbourne, building on his established interest in paranormal investigation. The series is produced by Meetinghouse Productions. Jason Cilo, Elaine White, and Ron Simon serve as executive producers for the show.
The production style of the series is characterized by its intimate, home-based setting, largely filmed within the Osbourne family's residence. This approach allows for authentic and unscripted reactions from Ozzy and Sharon as they watch the presented footage. The show leverages advanced visual effects and graphic overlays to enhance the presented video evidence for viewer clarity.
The series premiered on the Travel Channel on August 2, 2020. Following its initial broadcast, episodes became available on various streaming platforms, including Discovery+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Philo, and Sling TV. The show completed its two-season run on October 31, 2021, with its final original broadcast.
While The Osbournes Want to Believe did not receive extensive critical analysis from major media outlets, it was generally received by audiences as a lighthearted and entertaining addition to the paranormal reality genre. Viewers appreciated the unique family dynamic of the Osbournes, particularly the comedic interplay between Jack's earnest attempts to convince his parents and Ozzy and Sharon's often disbelieving, yet always candid, reactions. The show capitalized on the enduring appeal of the Osbourne family, offering fans a new format to experience their signature banter and irreverence. Some viewer discussions online indicate mixed reception, with some finding the premise engaging and humorous, while others perceived Ozzy and Sharon's skepticism as occasionally disengaged or the presented footage as unconvincing. However, its overall tone is generally seen as more comedic and less serious than traditional paranormal investigation shows.