'Chrisley Knows Best' 's Todd and Julie on What's Next for Season 2, How Fame Has Affected Them

The reality show's star couple sat down with PEOPLE to talk about their new celebrity status and how their kids are coping

Published on April 16, 2014 07:30 AM

Get ready for 12 more episodes of tough parenting and quick wit: Chrisley Knows Best has been renewed for a second season, USA Network announced Monday.

Though the show has blown up since premiering in March – the April 8 episode boasted ratings of 1.25 million viewers – “patriarch of perfection” Todd Chrisley promises fame won’t change the wacky family dynamics fans have grown to love.

“I don’t think that there’s any subjects that are going to be off-limits with us, because I don’t think we can parent our children effectively if we’re not honest and current with every situation that’s going on in our life,” the Atlanta millionaire tells PEOPLE.

“We certainly will not be texting and driving, we will not be doing that. My children have now been called out on using profanity. So those are two things that we certainly will be working on.”

In fact, his wife Julie says being recognized on the street has made the couple and their five kids think before they act – on- and off-camera.

“People are watching, people are looking at you. Whether that be good or bad, they’re gonna catch it all,” she says, adding with a laugh, “For me, it’s not going to the grocery store without makeup.”

But celebrities pay a price, as the Chrisleys learned the hard way. Soon after the show went on the air, the Internet flooded with rumors regarding Todd’s sexuality, and documents showing the couple filed for bankruptcy in 2012 resurfaced.

Todd says the reality stars continue to spend extravagantly (“I don’t know that budget is something that was used in our family, and I don’t think it’s used today in our family”) but have learned to be more careful with managing their businesses.

“Mo’ money, mo’ problems,” he jokes. “It’s just a regurgitation of what happened in 2012. We’re very blessed. It’s 2014, we’ve moved on.”

And though Julie is protective of her husband, she admits she understands the public’s fascination with gossip all too well.

“He always said if things got really dire ” she begins.

” she could go to work for TMZ,” Todd jokes.

“Or paparazzi,” Julie adds. “I just love it. I love to keep up.”

Keep up with the Chrisleys when Chrisley Knows Best airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET) on USA.

• Reporting by CARYN MIDLER