News Archive May 2011
From: ReelScreen.com
Posted: May 19, 2011
Legendary rock-god and multi-hyphenate Gene Simmons will be inducted into realscreen's Factual Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame as the "Personality of the Year" at the awards celebration on June 1, 2011 in Santa Monica.
Along with his unconventional family, Simmons stars in Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E in the longest running, unscripted celebrity family-based series on television. "The show's longevity, loyal fan base and consistently high ratings, coupled with Gene's engaging onscreen presence and the wonderful family dynamic that makes the show 'appointment' television, all factor into this recognition," said Claire Macdonald, VP & publisher of realscreen, creators of the Factual Entertainment Awards and Factual Entertainment Forum.
This is the second nod from the international non-fiction community, as Gene Simmons Family Jewels emerged the winner in the docusoap category at the 2010 edition of the Factual Entertainment Awards, which are judged by over 30 senior global non-fiction programming execs and producers. A&E's Gene Simmons Family Jewels is produced by Thinkfactory Media and the Gene Simmons Company. Adam Freeman, Adam Reed, Gene Simmons, Moriah Muse, Erin Kelly and Leslie Greif are the series executive producers. David McKillop, Neil A. Cohen and Steve Harris are the A&E executive producers.
"I am who I am because of my family," said Gene Simmons. "Shannon, Sophie and Nick make me a better man, and that's factual. I'm honored to receive this award."
"Gene Simmons has gone from entertaining millions of fans to becoming one of TV's most recognizable faces globally reaching over 83 countries and we couldn't be happier for him being named this year's Personality of the Year," said Leslie Greif, executive producer and Thinkfactory Media CEO. "A&E's Gene Simmons Family Jewels continues to break records as the longest running celebrity docu-series on the air and we'd like to thank realscreen and the Factual Entertainment Awards for recognizing Gene and this ground-breaking series."
The entire Simmons family including Gene, his long-time girlfriend Shannon Tweed and children Nick and Sophie, will also set the stage for the Factual Entertainment Forum. In a lively panel discussion delegates will hear from the quintessential first family of reality about how their on-air lives intertwine with real family life. The audience is promised an interesting, unusual and entertaining glimpse into their not-so-private lives and into the making of the hit show.
The Factual Entertainment Awards and the Factual Entertainment Forum take place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on June 1 & 2, 2011. For more information, click here.
