What the TV Host Shared About His Legacy
Conflicts. Racism. Infidelity. Total chaos. “The Jerry Springer Show,” which aired almost 4,000 episodes from 1991 to 2018, encompassed all these elements. However, at its heart, host Jerry Springer (who passed away in 2023) remained a beacon of calm amidst the frenzy and contention.
“Jerry was warm, engaging, and compassionate, and he truly cared about people, even though that might not be apparent from the show that carried his name,” former Chicago media critic Robert Feder, featured in the new Netflix documentary “Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action,” shared with TODAY.com. “He normalized the idea for people to view the program and accept everything they witnessed as entertainment.”
How did this lawyer, politician, and Emmy-winning news reporter become known as the King of Trash TV? Here’s what we know about the individual who thought he “ruined the culture” with his show.
What was Jerry Springer’s early career like?
Born in the UK to German Jewish refugees, Springer entered the world in a subway station as his mother took shelter from German air raids during World War II, according to NBC News in 2023. After his family relocated to New York City during his childhood, he earned a law degree and joined Robert F. Kennedy’s advisory team in 1968.
Springer established himself in Ohio and at the age of 27 won a seat on the Cincinnati city council in 1971. However, he resigned in 1974 after admitting to paying for a sex worker with a check in a public apology, a fact that he confessed to, as highlighted by Cincinnati publication WCPO.
He was re-elected to the city council a year later and became Cincinnati’s mayor in 1977. Following an unsuccessful bid for governor of Ohio, he transitioned to television, where he reported on news and won 10 local Emmy Awards, as noted by Cincinnati Magazine in 1992.
“The Jerry Springer Show” premiered in 1991, filming in Chicago. Initially, the program focused on news and social issues: early guests included Oliver North and Jesse Jackson, and topics ranged from “homelessness, AIDS, domestic violence, race, and equality,” as mentioned by WVXU.
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However, as ratings fell, the show hired former tabloid journalist Richard Dominick, leading to a shift into the chaotic, sensationalist format that would ultimately surpass “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in ratings, running for decades.
“He possessed immense talent and potential, and it’s tragic that he wasted it,” said Feder to TODAY.com. “He was a good person, but he compromised himself, and his name will always be linked to the worst television show of all time.”
What did Jerry Springer say about his show — and its legacy?
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Springer addressed “The Jerry Springer Show,” its legacy, and its cultural impact with a reflective tone.
As he mentioned on “The Roseanne Show,” “I don’t want to live in a country that watches my show, I’ll tell you that.”
“I don’t watch the show, but it’s not intended for 66-year-old men,” Springer remarked to the Associated Press via TODAY in 2010. “If I were in college, I would tune in. I enjoy doing it; it’s a lot of fun.”
Once the show concluded, he became more candid about its lasting effects. On the “Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast in 2022, Springer humorously stated, “I just apologize. I’m so sorry. What have I done? I’ve ruined the culture.”
What happened to Jerry Springer?
“Jerry loved being a star,” Dominick remarked in the documentary.
After the show ended in 2018, Springer sought to stay relevant. He launched a courtroom series in 2019 titled “Judge Jerry,” which ran for three seasons. He also hosted programs such as “America’s Got Talent,” “WWE Raw,” and a dating show called “Baggage.” Additionally, he dabbled in acting, including a role in the 1998 film “Ringmaster,” portraying a character loosely based on himself.
Springer even competed on “The Masked Singer” in 2022 and participated in “Dancing with the Stars” in 2006 — partly to learn how to waltz for his daughter’s wedding.
He passed away in April 2023 at the age of 79, as reported by TODAY. A family spokesperson revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was central to his success in all his endeavors, whether in politics, broadcasting, or just chatting with fans on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” stated Jean Galvin, a family spokesperson and longtime friend.
