Jerry Springer Has Died

[Frank Underwood]

TMZ has confirmed that Jerry Springer has died at age 79:

Jerry Springer, one of the most influential and controversial figures in TV history, has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

Jerry hosted the smash hit syndicated talk show "The Jerry Springer Show" for 27 years ... and it was never a boring moment on the raucous and wild show -- which was known for its outrageous guests who usually got into crazy fights as the audience cheered, "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!"

Before TV, he was a politician who ran a failed campaign for U.S. Congress in 1970, got elected to Cincinnati's City Council in 1971 ... and became the city's mayor in 1977. He served one term.

But, Springer became a worldwide sensation with his show ... which debuted in 1991. Most people won't remember this, but when he started Jerry's show focused on political issues. Of course, it eventually became the exact opposite ... and a ratings smash.

Jerry's show was so popular in the late '90s, it even topped Oprah Winfrey's in several cities. 'Springer' finally went off the air in 2018.

He made one more run in TV, with his courtroom show, "Judge Jerry," which ran for 3 seasons.

Jerry's last TV appearance came last season on "The Masked Singer" ... where he performed as "The Beetle," singing a Frank Sinatra classic.

He's survived by his daughter Katie Springer and his sister Evelyn.

Jerry was 79. RIP

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!!!

Source: https://www.tmz.com/2023/04/27/jerry-springer-dead-dies/

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Do you think Jerry Springer opened the door to lowering civility and decency in the U.S. that in the long run made it easier for Trump to get elected?

 

[Frank Underwood]

Do you think Jerry Springer opened the door to lowering civility and decency in the U.S. that in the long run made it easier for Trump to get elected?

Springer himself seemed to think so. At the conclusion of his show, he said "I'm so sorry. What have I done? I've ruined the culture."

I personally think it's more complicated than that. The fact that we live in a failed democracy with corrupt institutions hell bent on sowing division is the bigger problem IMO. Shows like Springer's are basically just sleight of hand. While everybody's watching the trainwreck, the ruling class are running off with the money. I suppose the modern version of that would be TikTok, Twitter, and various other forms of social media. At the end of the day, it's all just nonsense and noise meant to keep us ignorant and distracted.

Getting back to Springer, his show (like several others from that era) started off earnestly before being retooled into trash. Like I said, everybody loves a trainwreck.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

I wonder if JS's show was a slippery slope in that the masses are distracted and slowly accepting of outrageous behavior being normalized so after a decade and a half of "reality tv" a president's overtly bad behavior is no longer an impediment to being elected, as it once was.
I do agree with @Frank Underwood about distraction. We are entertained/outraged while the corporations that own the country are eroding democracy and replacing it with what people believe is democracy. Over time the artifice has completely replaced the reality and people no longer even recall the real thing, so there's no outcry. The perfect crime.

 

[bmasters9]

Springer himself seemed to think so. At the conclusion of his show, he said "I'm so sorry. What have I done? I've ruined the culture."

At least he was honest enough to admit his part in it-- Trump couldn't even do that.

 

[Angela Channing]

Not many people have such an impact on popular culture that they have a successful opera written about them.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

I have read that many are giving him credit for being one of the first to give the transgender community representation. However, there's a thin line between representation and exploitation.

 

[Frank Underwood]

I wonder if JS's show was a slippery slope in that the masses are distracted and slowly accepting of outrageous behavior being normalized so after a decade and a half of "reality tv" a president's overtly bad behavior is no longer an impediment to being elected, as it once was.

Oh yes, I'm sure it's a contributing factor. Reality TV has likely desensitized many people to bad behavior.

I do agree with @Frank Underwood about distraction. We are entertained/outraged while the corporations that own the country are eroding democracy and replacing it with what people believe is democracy. Over time the artifice has completely replaced the reality and people no longer even recall the real thing, so there's no outcry. The perfect crime.

Precisely right. And while reality tv has likely made people more open to bad behavior, they've also seen textbook politicians hide behind the veneer of decorum and civility.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Oh yes, I'm sure it's a contributing factor. Reality TV has likely desensitized many people to bad behavior.


Precisely right. And while reality tv has likely made people more open to bad behavior, they've also seen textbook politicians hide behind the veneer of decorum and civility.

Great point I think the appeal of Trump for some initially was he gave the appearance of the populist outsider. Just because a politician acts dignified and civil doesn't mean he or she is or that their policies are particularly humane.
However, I do think there is a value in basic good manners when the motivation is just basic respect from one human being to another.

 

[cijimccashin]

Rest in peace Icon.

 

[Payton Cross]

The "Jerry Springer Show" was definitely a high profile talk show in the 90's something we had never seen on TV before, I'm not a big fan of his talk show but I watched it a lot at the time. But I always have my doubts whether this wasn't all staged, because nothing resembles the authenticity of emotions.

But sorry for his passing, he was a icon on tv, i wish all his family and friends all the best.


Jerry Springer