When I sat down with Leland, Dog and Beth Chapman to talk about their upcoming new CMT reality series Dog and Beth: On The Hunt and told them that my own family loved watching theirs on A&E’s smash Dog the Bounty Hunter, Beth wanted to know what I liked best about the show. I told her it was her family’s bond.
• NEW INTERVIEW: Dog Chapman talks business family, and CMT’s Dog and Beth: On the Hunt Season 2
Much to my surprise — and with Dog and Leland looking on — she offered candid insight into what the Twittersphere has been discussing since plans for the show were announced in the summer: the absence of Baby Lyssa and Duane Lee Chapman from the cast of the show.
• RELATED: Channel Guide’s exclusive interview with Dog, Beth and Leland Chapman
Slated to being in April, Dog and Beth: On The Hunt will focus on the three remaining Chapmans as they crisscross the nation, teaching struggling bail bond agencies how to succeed in the embattled trade by helping them hunt down some of America’s most dangerous criminals. While the show will highlight the Chapmans’ proven methods for capturing criminals and Leland’s expertise in non-lethal weaponry, Dog and Beth: On The Hunt will also address the family’s changing dynamic.
“The focal point of the show is our relationship — and our relationship with Leland,” Beth explained. “Because Leland wants to stay with his dad. Duane says this really profound thing where he says, ‘I don’t love you more, son. But you probably love me more than any of the other kids.’ Because as a parent, you don’t love any of your children differently. But they love you. And their love for you may be stronger than what your sister’s love is. And that’s what Leland is, right? His love for his dad is stronger than the others. And so he doesn’t want to be the one to leave or go away. He wants to be the one staying right here and doing what he does. And so we were really happy about that.”
Though she did not elaborate on whether Duane Lee and Lyssa officially elected to not be part of the new show, Beth suggested that family priorities and individual interests may have factored in. “You know, people grow,” she continued, as Dog leaned into her affectionately, fiddling with the gold zippers on the shoulders of her dress and making Leland grin and shake his head. “Children grow up — and how long can you work for your mom and dad? You become 40 years old and you’re not married and you’re like, ‘Why am I still hanging around my dad?’ You know what I mean? At some point, you feel like there’s got to be changes made. And we as parents have to be OK with letting our bird fly. Hopefully it’ll come back and it will know that this was always the best thing for it. But if they don’t, you loved it and you coddled it and you wished it well. You can’t force your kids to stay with you forever.”
Does that mean Lyssa and Duane Lee might join the show at a later date? The Chapmans didn’t say. But in the meantime, you can rest assured that Beth and Dog can relate to the pain and frustration fans felt as the Chapman children entered and exited Dog The Bounty Hunter throughout its eight seasons.
“We were lucky because our kids didn’t go away to college — our kids went to the college of hard knocks with us,” she says. “And so when there was some turmoil in the family, it was like our kids went to college all at the exact same time. We had that separation anxiety from them. But it really wasn’t that. It was just that they were spreading their wings and getting older. And they had their own families.
“Each person has to make their own decisions for their own lives.”
Photos: Electus
Why people think they know anything about these folks is beyond me.All the criticisms all the hate all the gossip when you have nothing to do with them.These folks have a life beyond the show and none of you know how they really are
I agree with ric jones, show should be banned from tv, most ignorant show on tv, they really are disgusting to watch period,, can’t beleive its allowed on tv. to think they are exsposed to our children as role models. whats this world comeing to?
Yes, Beth is just a loud-mouth and not only has she ruined the show, but it seems the family as well.
Dog thinks with his d**k
I was really looking forward to the new series and have watched all the episode, but it’s just not at good. Duane Lee, Lyssa and Youngblood are all missing and the show is suffering. I think they missed the point. The show wasn’t popular because of the bounty hunting. It was popular because viewers (including me) liked the people in the show and how they tried to help the people they hunted. I like Dog and Leland, but I really don’t like watching Beth. Beth gets to angry and bossy which reminds me of how I’m treated by my wife…and I DON’T want to watch that on television. It’s just not entertaining. I think this show will likely get cancelled after 1-2 seasons unless they can re-create the old family formula and move Beth more to the background.
you can,t teach an old dog new tricks, and the bitch of the family is running the show, know wonder his children are messed up in the head, dog should stand up to beth, but being the brains of the outfit looks like thats not going to happen.. money over his own children,, shame on you, what if it was her own children kicked off the show,. would beth let that happen, me thinks not
i like the new show dog and beth on the hunt however i think duanelee and baby lyssa should be apart of the new show thay are a family who work together and iam sure thay still do off camra love theam all
All I want to say to dog and beth is no worries, I got your back in prayer! It’s not easy to blend families. To Leland…nothing but respect for staying.
No way to make everyone happy. We all have expectations. No one can carry that and please all. There are things we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go. Once people grow up and live through some things they realize family is all that really mattered. Coming full circle is in everyones future. Love your big hearts!
These people put there lives on t.v. for everyone to scrutinize while they take fugitives of the streets. No wonder their relationship is so volatile. Its time to take a holiday and take car of themselves.
LOVE THE SHOW, MISS DUANE LEE & LYSSA, WHAT IS DUANE LEE DOING WITH HIS LIFE NOW?? LYSSA KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WITH THE TEENS,, DAKOTA I HOPE YOU DON;T GET HURT BY WORDS THAT ARE BEING SAID ABOUT YOUR FAMILY ,, TAKE CARE;;; DIANE HOLMES;
I feel that Dog and Beth have changed a lot of lives and I love the show. They are trying to help other family’s even if some of there family has left. It isn’t so much about them it is about them showing others that they can change there lives around no matter how bad they have messed up.they prove to others there are 2nd chances in life and to never give up on others or yourself no matter what there is always a britter side in every case if you look for it
Baby Lyssa’s mom was not a very good one!! Pick up her memoir “walking on eggshells” its her version of her childhood! Although she has some mean things to say about dog, I still think the world of him. Everyone makes mistakes!!
I watch the show on A&E reruns, I think Beth let stardom get the better of her, and I do believe she puts a wedge between Dog and “his” kids and now that Dog is ancient he’s letting Beth control a lot, I have a son from my first marriage and no way in hell would I allow my ex’s wife call my son hers, I think in that aspect she’s wrong and their new show is just a last ditch effort to stay in the spotlight and pay for that big house, after reading all of the comments and interview I think Beth needs to chopped down from her pedistool.
I completely agree. Beth and Dog have alienated Bobby Brown, Dog’s children. Now, they’re bringing Leland’s son and another of Dog’s daughters on the show. How long before they burn bridges with those 2 kids???? I looked forward to CMT’s show, but Beth seems to be running the show and I can’t stand her mouthiness. She’s like a male dog that walks on 3 legs, the other hiked way up in the air, waiting to mark on the submissives in her pack.
They are hypocrites because they have burned their kids, Bobby Brown and others over money and promises they made and didn’t keep.
I loved Leland, Duane Lee and Tim. Notice how Leland hardly talks on the new shows?
I am happy to see that Dog & Beth are still doing the wonderful work that they do. I believe that they have truly made a difference in the “bounty hunting world” Dog, I love your faith. I wish you every success in your new series. I enjoyed it very much ( I LOVE Leland) SO HAPPY to see him return & stay by his Dad. Be safe & God Bless !!
hugs, Heather
New show is ignorant..old show was.very entertaining..not because there good at bounty hunting..because there funny white trash and dorky..duane lee wants to be a cool crazy manly man,beth is a loud rude b***h..baby lyssa thinks shes hot..not!!..would make a great simpson character..dog..just white trash!!
well rik,,,,u should know wat trash is bitch cause I think the last box of trash bags I bought had ur name on it….baaaahaaa….as far as white trash…WHITE…is the problem here and of course ignorant..(u know wat I mean..wats the word im looking for??) lmao that’s exactly wat u r…IGNORANT!!!
I am white trash..im not fake..i dont steal,do drugs,drink..but i do ride gocarts in my back yard!!
New show is ignorant
Like everybody else I truly miss Duane Lee jr. and Lyssa! It’s obviously not the same without them! Sorry to say, but that’s how I feel! At first, I was all happy that after the “Dog the Bounty…cancellation“ that they were going to be back! And then, to learn that only tree of the old crew were back???
Nope!!! Still think that it’s missing that “je ne sais quoi“!!!
By the way….I always woundered why Beth called Leland, Duane Lee jr., Baby Lyssa, and some of the others…why she called them “HER kids“???? I’m sorry but, doesn’t that offend their real moms??? And I’m truly not saying that to offend Beth but…I don’t know??? It’s just weird to me!!!( Thinking about their biological mom..)Still love you Beth…Even if you have your flaws….like everybody else!
P.S Dog??? Don’t ever loose that `very emotional“ side that you carry with you thru out your hunts!
Kudos to you Beth. I love the way you treat Leland, Duane, & Baby Lyssa like you are their biological mother. You may not be, but, I “feel” you. I have 6 half brothers and sister and we have never called ourselves half-brothers or half-sister even if we are and during some tough times. We are brothers and sisters period! Same with you Beth I could not get used to your personality for years but now I realize you are really a “good” hearted sincere person and so far I love the new show. You just went on a new adventure with your family!
I am glad to see Leland’s son Dakato on Dog and Beth on the Hunt. I think that so far he is doing a really good job, but I still think that Dog and Beth should try talking with Duane Lee and Baby Lyssa and see if they will join the team on the new show. I really think you guys are doing GREAT on the new show but a little help couldn’t hurt. Take care and GOD Bless, Andrea
use to like the show but it grew old with listening to the loud mouth oversized blonde bimbo who by the way always seemed to favor Leland and it showed!!! Then Duane the so called Dog(a real Dog) just seems so phony when it comes to all. He acts like a spoiled brat most of the time. He also has his fans faked out. This is true with a lot of these so called reality shows. Duane Lee and Baby L should stay away unless they need the money. Yes they are laughing all the way to the bank or where ever they put the money.
It would be a lot better if the new show did not copy the Ramsey Kitchen Nightmares script and keep the loud mouth in the background
I do loveDog and Beth on the Hunt, but I think the show could be a lot better if DuaneLee and Baby Lyssa were on the show also. Like Beth always says on Dog the Bounty Hunter “A family that hunts together stays together.” right Beth?
Dog, Beth and Leland fans, make sure you cast your vote for Dog and Beth On the Hunt for Best Family Values series in Channel Guide’s Viewers Voice Awards.
http://bit.ly/1dquXpp
Baby lyssa was let go because she got arrested for property damage and hitting a cop!! No a good role model to have on the show!! Everyone talks crap about DOG and BETH but Lyssa and Duane Lee jr, need to take some responsibility for their actions too!!