Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 24, 2025 · Entertainment

Ozzy Osbourne's Reality TV Revelation: 'I Can't F***ing Take It!'

After facing a mob of squealing teenagers on the street, Rod Aissa, an executive on MTV's 'The Osbournes,' calmly tried to explain to the Godfather of Heavy Metal, then 53, that his new reality show was a hit. (Pictured: The Osbournes  - Ozzy, Kelly, Jack and Sharon - in 2002)

The Irrepressible Ozzy: A Legend's Tale of Humor, Heart, and Heavy Metal

In a shocking twist of fate, the world bid farewell to the one and only Ozzy Osbourne this week, leaving behind a legacy that will forever echo through the realms of rock 'n' roll. But as we reflect on his remarkable life, it's not just his iconic bat-biting antics or his reign as the Prince of Darkness that will be remembered – but also the unapologetic humor, humility, and humanity that made him an endearing figure to fans and friends alike.

It was a sunny day in June 2002 when Ozzy, his wife Sharon, and their producer Rod Aissa (a close friend of mine) took a leisurely stroll down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Suddenly, chaos erupted as a pack of 12-year-old girls swooned over the metal icon, screaming his name like he was the second coming. Breathless and bewildered, Ozzy turned to Rod and exclaimed, "What the bloody hell is happening? How do these girls know me?"

Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, died on July 22 at the age of 76. (Pictured: The Prince of Darkness performing at his farewell show in Birmingham)

Rod, an executive on MTV's groundbreaking reality show 'The Osbournes,' which had premiered just a few months prior, calmly attempted to break the news to his befuddled client. "It's huge, Ozzy! You're number one in the country!" Rod revealed. But Ozzy remained oblivious, asking Sharon, "Why didn't you tell me about this show?"

As it turned out, Rod had been secretly filming the Osbourne family's daily shenanigans for the reality show, which would become a massive hit and cement Ozzy's status as a household name. But in typical Ozzy fashion, he still seemed perplexed by his newfound fame.

"I don't f*ing care who you are!" Ozzy bluntly told Rod when asked about his role on the show. Little did he know that his eccentric behavior would become an integral part of the show's charm, making 'The Osbournes' a ratings phenomenon and catapulting Ozzy into the stratosphere of pop culture stardom.

While I didn't have the privilege of knowing him personally – so many people in my life did. And they all describe him the same way: disarmingly humble, oblivious, outrageously talented and kind – a down-to-earth, working-class genius who came from nothing and appreciated everything. (Pictured: Ozzy at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989)

One individual who had a unique perspective on Ozzy's artistry was none other than Dweezil Zappa, son of musical legend Frank Zappa. Growing up in Laurel Canyon, Dweezil would often host impromptu jam sessions at his sprawling estate, with rock royalty like Tony Iommi and Ritchie Blackmore making appearances.

Ozzy, who had always been a huge fan of Frank Zappa's eclectic music, was particularly fond of "Big Leg Emma," a doo-wop tune that showcased his offbeat sense of humor. One afternoon, Ozzy dropped by the Zappa compound, and Dweezil convinced him to record an unorthodox disco cover in their state-of-the-art recording studio.

The result? A hilarious rendition of The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive," with Ozzy ad-libbing "all aboard the disco train" instead of the original lyrics. As Dweezil recalled, watching Ozzy sing was nothing short of magical – on a technical level, he was exceptional, and his quirky sense of humor shone through.

As a child, Dweezil was fascinated by Black Sabbath (pictured) after discovering their first album Paranoid in his dad's massive record collection

In fact, music aficionados will attest that Ozzy's vocal range and versatility were unmatched. Rod Aissa shared an anecdote about Ozzy recording a track for 'The Osbournes' theme song: "He was singing this ridiculous lyrics, completely over-the-top, but he did it with such conviction and heart that you couldn't help but laugh."

That kind of unbridled energy and enthusiasm is what made Ozzy a beloved figure in the music industry. Behind the scenes, however, there were moments when even his closest associates would be left bewildered by his antics.

Rod Aissa shared another behind-the-scenes tale from the set of 'The Osbournes,' where Sharon was pitching her husband on the concept for their reality show: "I went to their LA mansion and saw chaos – Ozzy rummaging through the candy drawer, Kelly screaming at him, the History Channel blaring in the background. I thought, 'What am I getting myself into?'"

The story takes a hilarious turn when Rod picks up the house phone and dials his mom: "I'm sitting here with this crazy family, and I'm thinking, 'This is insane! They're crazier than we are!' Sharon finally comes down to greet me, introduces me to Ozzy, who's completely clueless about what's going on."

Despite the chaos surrounding him, Rod was struck by Ozzy's humility: "He never forgot where he came from – a working-class kid from Birmingham. If you gave him something, even a small gift, he'd blush and say, 'I can't take this!'"

Elton John once presented Ozzy with an extravagant piece of jewelry, only for Ozzy to push it back, muttering, "I can't f*ing take this!" The anecdote highlights the down-to-earth nature that defined Ozzy throughout his life.

Indeed, music buffs and children of the 80s remember that Ozzy Osbourne (pictured with son, Jack, in 1985) - the bat-chomping, ant-sorting, acid-dropping conductor of the Crazy Train - but Ozzy had a second career, as a loveable, fumbling, mumbling reality TV dad

In the end, it's this irrepressible spirit – equal parts humor, humility, and heart – that will be remembered as the true essence of Ozzy Osbourne. As Rod Aissa so aptly put it: "He got the biggest kick out of those screaming kids who didn't know him from Adam." Little did they know that they were in the presence of a rock legend.

Rest in peace, Prince of Darkness – you'll be forever missed by fans and friends alike.

'The first time I went to the house there were no cameras there, it was just me surveying the land, trying to get a sense of this family,' Rod tells me. 'It was absolute madness.' (Pictured: Ozzy, Sharon and their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack in 1987)