Beth Chapman on Baby Lyssa and Duane Lee’s absence from CMT’s Dog and Beth On The Hunt: “You can’t force your kids to stay with you forever”

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.”

RELATED:  Channel Guide talks with Lyssa Chapman about her new memoir, her parenting insights, her plans for a new TV show and more!

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: Vote Dog & Beth On The Hunt for Best Family Values in Channel Guide’s 2014 Viewers Voice Awards!

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

12 Comments

  1. Are there going to be new episodes in 2016 ( when ). ..Also was told that Baby Lysa has passed away??? Could not confirm on Internet ??? Really enjoy your shows!, also where is Duaine Lee these days?? Thanks David

  2. These guys are a joke they claim to care but they call the fugitives all types of nasty names they claim to be god fearing and they talk to these people who are already in a bad place and treat them like pieces of crap then are all nice for the cameras I guarantee they wouldn’t talk to folks I grew up with like that they always catching folks in the islands or country they wouldn’t have a chance in the city like NY or ATL.

  3. To my favorite family! I live in Taylorsville, UT. and have a son who has been on heroin for over 10 years. He got hurt snowboarding and a man said hey dude take some of this and you will be cured you won’t feel any pain. Needless to say that was his start of his drugs. I am a single mom and have 4 kids and 3 grandkids and I will not give up on my family. I have 3 boys and 1 daughter. I was so lucky to be blessed to have theses children brought into my life. I lost 3 pregnancies. I was married to a police officer for 14 years and passed away on Mother’s Day 2014. I lost my father this year in April 11, 2014 had his funeral April 14,2014. I was my daddy’s little girl and favorite unfortunate he loved my kids and we all were there for my parents. Besides the point I have always tried to work 5 jobs and be able to take care of my kids and grandkids in time of need. I would like to talk to one of you about a circumstance about one of my other children who needs help and keeps saying its the end. Please call me, I have a sewing business and make – up business, babysit, Nail-Tech. I also have my Bail Bonds Recovery Agent badge. I love each and everyone of you. Thank You for loving all of us. Tell Duane Lee, and Leland HI for me Love to ALL!

  4. Beth…what a dips××t..i rememher a colorado episode where there looking for a fugitive claiming to be from hawaii..once dog mentioned he drove a purple honda civic,she said..yaah and hes from the islands?..she acts like hawaii is strictly looked up on..there is some nice places,but theres alot of 3rd world country living conditions as well..acts as if everybody there has nice cars..then she looks at her nails…

  5. I love watching Dog n Beth’s older episodes, I set my alarm every morning for 6:30 am, I live in New Mexico, n I won’t miss an episode. Beth, your such a good role model for all woman n I’m looking forward to watching the new show,Blessings to all the Chapman family..

  6. hi to all the chapman ive been watching you all on tv for awhile i love all of you so much ive been clean from drugs for so long like 20 years a yeat since ive drank but i just been.through alot love denece coyle

  7. wish u guys could come back on tv!i watch dog every morning-wont miss not 1 day,&would love 2 talk 2 beth!!

  8. I will miss Duane Lee but you are right, your kids grow up and they need to do what makes them happy. I wish all of you the best of luck in your life endeavors. Be safe.

  9. I am an addict. I have been clean for 6 weeks. I have never been in trouble with the law, I just chose to clean my act up. I love Beth. She is real, a mother to mother, an awesome woman. God has truly blessed her with such love and caring each and every human being. May God bless you more and more everyday.

Comments are closed.

About Lori Acken 1195 Articles
Lori just hasn't been the same since "thirtysomething" and "Northern Exposure" went off the air.