The Family Stallone

I stumbled on this show when season one came out, and had zero expectation and was pleasantly surprised! What piqued my interest was it was none other than Sylvester Stallone and his family, the tough guy movie star who I actually didn't expect to do this kind of series. Growing up in the 80s and 90s when he established his stardom, I didn't care for his movies at all and I had an image of the guy as a typical self-absorbed Hollywood star who didn't have much of a character. Well, after seeing this series, I realized it was my ignorant stereotyping of the macho movie star that had always stuck with me but is now totally gone.

Yes, Mr Stallone is a typical male in many ways, and I can imagine the efforts Ms Jennifer Flavin had to make in their marriage, let alone the near-divorce that was featured in season one, but he seems to be a real stand-up, caring family man of good values. And he, and his family, are funny! You can see a lot of love and respect each of Stallone family member has for each other and it makes you happy seeing them together. This is a an uplifting reality tv series starring a celebrity. Most reality series starring famous people don't leave you feeling warm, but rather anxious and unsettled from all the drama or vanity. This show makes your heart warm and cheering for the Stallones.

The three daughters are typical California-raised rich girls who are living their lives in their twenties under the protection and guidance of two pretty cool parents who love them but also don't spoil them rotten. By the end of season two, I found myself cheering for each of them.

So far, this show has been a great breather and I have enjoyed it very much. I hope there's season three and if there is, I hope the producers will keep the show as genuine, light-hearted, and focused on the good and positive as season one and two.

Oh how I wanted this to be good, to catch a glimpse of the real Sylvester Stallone, superhero for every +40 something out there. What is he like waking up, does he cook, how much does he work out, does he do chores around the house, take the dogs for a walk, does he eat pizza in front of the TV and falls asleep with a beer on his lap ... If that's what u expect from this reality show then I have to disappoint you. From the get go it is clear that Sly agreed to do this show only to make his daughters rise to fame because he feels that he's in the last stage of his life and time is running out.

The problem is that Sylvester Stallone can't let go of directing, of keeping control of every aspect in his life. The man is not interested in sharing anything profound with the fans, even in this "reality" show he plays a 24/7 cool guy which is just ridiculous at his age. He has major issues with his +20 year old daughters having boyfriends, he wants them "to stop wasting valuable time" with simply dating guys, imagine that ! It's called living Sly, living and learning and experiencing heartache. But no, Mr Stallone doesn't want any of it, his daughters need to stay with him forever because he's 76 years old and he worked all his life, mostly missing out on every major milestone of his children's lives and now he wants to catch up. Well Sly, who told you to shoot Tulsa King, at the age of 76, being the multimillionair you are, in a different state and be gone from home for 6 months ? He doesn't NEED to do anything anymore, he even states that he's "done" with shooting far away from home, he wants to be with his family he says. But then why does he have at least 5 more movies in preproduction ??

Anyway, Frank Stallone is in almost every episode even though in the 1st episode the girls spill that they never ever see uncle Frank ... So again Sly is pushing Frank into the spotlights. In that same 1st episode there is a cameo from (a very old) Al Pacino, no idea what that was all about, it looked like a geriatric gathering.

Every episode takes 19 minutes so you don't really waste time but I'm afraid most people will have a different opinion of Mr Stallone after seeing this. And as a last remark : the man doesn't do kisses. He doesn't kiss his wife or his daughters, he kinda hugs and throws a cheek .. Again no idea what that is all about.

Conclusion : I tell everyone to watch the "Arnold" documentary, I really loved it, Schwarzenegger doesn't play roles, what u see is what u get. He lives alone and feeds his donkey & pony and smokes cigars and he is content with what he achieved in life.

Sylvester Stallone is another story .. even though this is obviously not a documentary, I'm quite certain an Arnold reality show would be more fun and more honest to watch.

I don't like reality tv shows because of the narcissism required to make one but this has a few elements that makes it worth watching. From the start Sylvester Stallone makes it clear his intentions of making the show, he wants more involvements in his daughters lives and this facilitates that. Secondly, the episodes are short and sweet and the season in totality is shorter than some movies being made. The show is hindered by the fact that this series doesn't revolve around any particular event in any of the family members lives. Sylvester celebrates his birthday in the first episode but unlike his action movies it is uneventful. The series doesn't have a focus or mystery but you stick around for the dynamic chemistry between a father and his three daughters and the wholesome nature instilled in the family.

Couldn't help but feel a little heartbroken that they didn't take just five minutes to mention either of Sly's sons. The name was The "Family" Stallone. There are messsges throughout about how much family means. The ending was all about family. Very sad that his two sons weren't mentioned at all. They could have acknowledged Sage and his passing after they spoke of Sophia's heart issues. They could have had just tribute wording or dedication wording at the end "Gone but not forgotten" I understand privacy for his other son but they could have found a way to acknowledge him. Could have even found a way to include him in some way. The world understands autism now that so many people are on the spectrum.

They found a way to include Pacino and Arnold... When speaking of the "FAMILY" Stallone - please don't forget to include all of your children... A simple acknowledgment at the end, even if an afterthought could have been worked in. They were his children first afterall... Would have given much higher rating if so...

.... just seems like a way for Sly to fast-track some "celebrity" for all three daughters at once.

It's akin to the Kardashian show... or any of the "real housewives" shows... etc... If that's what you like, you will probably like this. Although I will state that the "mental stability" and maturity of the Stallone family appears to be at a much higher level than the other shows I've mentioned.

I did find the second episode funny.. .all the talk about being an overprotective father.. but then essentially creating a show that, at its core, is merely objectifying all three of his daughters at the same time. CLEARLY there's the ulterior motive of getting the daughters "known" more.

I guess "fame" is REALLY important to some people and if you can get that nepotism push, why not use it. After all "Hollywood" isn't about talent or skill 99% of the time.. it's about who your family is and if they can use their celebrity to get you hired. Here's a great example.

What's really striking about this is show is how NONE of the Stallones seem to realize just how much "privilege" they are provided.

It's actually kind of funny.. all the "problems" they face are relatively insignificant and only seem "troubling" because something as a MINOR impact on some expensive outing. It's really quite hilarious... they don't have an real life worries so they conjure up some pointless drama and have some sort of emotional reaction to fabricated "problems".

I've seen Tulsa King... Sophia's performance was NOT that great... and her last name is "Stallone" the star of Tulsa King is a Stallone... and yet they all repeatedly act and state that "she got the part on her own." Really? Being the daughter of the primary star had no baring? Really? Are they really that blind???

Stand up and be loud and boisterous in a restaurant.. everyone just laughs it off.. if a non-celebrity were to do such a thing, after a moment or two, then'd be "disturbing other diners" and they be asked to stop, asked to leave, or the police would be called.

And the fact that each episode shows the women in bathing suits.. short shorts, etc.. yeah... none of that has anything to do with WHY this is a series, right? (Admittedly they are all very attractive, so this just plays into the objectification of them all.)

Or marrying someone more than 20 years your junior... yeah .... that happens every day. I've lost count of the 75 years olds I've met with 50 year old wives..... surely that has NOTHING to do with wealth and fame... come on!

The ENTIRE family takes a vacation to Rome.. and oh NO! Someone has a headache!!! Ain't it horrible! I mean seriously....

I fear all these young women would just wither quickly if they did not have the safety and security of a multi-million dollar father. One thing is certain.. they aren't prepared to actually deal with real life and will rely on their privilege. I can't blame then.. hell I'd do the same if it were possible.

I fear "Hollywood" causes brain rot.. or at least common sense rot.