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.
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.”
• RELATED: Dog and Beth Chapman address family turmoil in upcoming CMT special
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.”
Read more about Dog and Beth: On The Hunt, the Chapmans’ effort to help save the bail bond industry and how Leland balances work and family in the April issue of Channel Guide Magazine.
Photos: Electus
I also have been watching Dog since they came on the air and i dearly love them all for what they do and stand for they have been an inspiration in my life in so many ways i will continue to watch.
I have been watching Dog the bounty hunter ever since they came on T.V with their series,I love the whole family and will be sad that Duane and baby Lyssa wont be on the new series,But life goes on,I will still watch it for I love dog Duane, Beth and Leland…when they went off the air I looked and looked for them EVERY week I really did and when I couldn’t find them anymore on channel 52 I was heart broken,it is my favorite series of the week…then when I seen they were on again in their new series Dog and Beth and Leland on the hunt I was so happy again.PLEASE keep them going on T.V. I really do love them. Life goes on if the other kids don’t want to come back OH WELL…I thank God Leland did…love that guy also and I’ll always watch them…their an awesome family.
I have always loved Dog; and his bounty hunting Family! I think they are not only bringing bad guys to justice; but also doing it in such a way that the bad guys have an opportunity to change their lives. They have a chance at redemption n to learn from their mistakes. Yes! Duane Lee n Baby Alyssa will be missed but I’m sure they have their own jouney to travel. God bless the Chapman family! Keep making impressions in other peoples lives! Love a HUGE fan in Bellmawr’ NJ xo
I just want to comment on the new show. I understend that every family has its problems. However has anyone other then me noticed that this new show is awful in then language department. I know in the original show Dog the Bounty Hunter there was foul languagem but in this new show it is almost like they are ALL trying to fit cussing in where they can. I mean I understand that you are going to cuss in the heat of the moment but this new show if FULL of cussing. I just really cant get over the GD this and GD that and then all of a sudden it is let pray. I am not judging anyone but they REALLY need to read the ENTIRE bible, not just the verses that pretain to that moment, it does say not to take the Father’s name in vein. I am just saying they can have a great show just tone back the cussing. Its almost like you are trying a little to hard to fit it in.
I love the new show and I understand why some of them might not come back. I wish them all the best of luck, keep up the good work !
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am glad for the new show dog and beth on the hunt but i would love to know what happend to duene lee and baby lyssa and tim just to let everyone know what happeded and whatsgoing on with them love you all much thanks please let us whom want to know about themthnaks lynn
Greetings to the Chapman family, I am happy u guys r back.U guys r great, I know Lisa n Duane Lee will not join u guys, but I wish them all the best in the choices they have made. Its hard for them too. God bless your family. Lots of love to u all. XOXOXO
I love to watch the bounty hunters and i will miss the kids. I loved the comraderie between them all.
Nothing but a white trash family
Shame on YOU!! you obviously dont know the definition of “white Trash” great people doing whats right! are you? JACKASS!
thats the pot calling the kettle black
Terry I hate to say it but if you think the Chapman family is white trash then you are either 1. A fugitive that they have arrested or 2. You are just stupid. Then again maybe you are both. If you think the Chapmansarewhite trash then you don’t know anything about them.
First of all welcome back to Duane, Beth and Leland. I can understand why Duane Lee and Lyssa do not wish to pursue this commitment to the show. They have lives outside of the cameras. If they choose to come back, I am so happy about that, but I still love this show with or without them.
Beth: I just want to say how beautiful you are.
I look for the next episode.
I think that everyone can sit back and judge no one knows what the cast is trying to do with their lives. I wish everyone well and it looks like that they are doing great things with their lives. I just wish that everyone could keep everyone updated so everyone knows how they are doing.
Really love Dog and the rest of the family the show will not be the same without Duane Lee and baby Lyssa.
aloha- dwene lee and lssya choise not to be w/ the team anymore and they both choise to go their merry way as an adult. i wish both of them good luck on what duane lee and lssya is going to do. 2- as for leeland and duane lee the boys yes they both split up for good.3- i hope lssya stay out of trouble and be a good mom to both of her kids and no men in her life at all.
I HATE Beth!..She has no say in any of the Dog the Bounty Hunter show!!..She has to QUIT!!!!!! Lyssa && Duane Lee Has to come BACK!!!!!
aloha- yes beth think she can tell her step kids what not to do. dog is the boss of the show. now that the show as been change to dog and beth. as for their hawaiian office yes there is no body working to run their hawaiian bails bonds office in mine and my youngest brother home state hawaii anyore to be the office manager anymore. it was duane lee was the office manager. now that beth w/ her white big fat mouth nobody is running the chapman bails bonds in hawaii anymore thanks to beth bad mouth.
You can always find another bondsman when you get arrested!!!!!They need to keep the office open for you??
U r a dumbass beth rules. Glad the trash is gone.
First off, Tim is(or was the last I saw) a single dad of 3 or 4 kids. He probably can’t work those long hours and be the father he wants to be.
Second, being in the spotlight and working non stop, and having cameras in your personal(not just professional) life is hard. Duane Lee is trying to settle down and start a family. And Lyssa is doingbher best to be a good wife and mother. Thats not easy with a “normal” lifestyle, let alone a celebrity lifestyle. Some people just arent cut out for it. So stop being so judgmental. They are real people with real feelings who dont need people speculating and speading rumors about them.
Ok, rant over.
Amen sista!