The Jerry Springer Show is an American daytime talk show that was hosted by Jerry Springer. The show ran in syndication for twenty-seven seasons from September 30, 1991, to July 26, 2018, in which it broadcast 3,891 episodes, produced for most of its time by NBCUniversal. It was taped at the NBC Tower in Chicago until 2009, when production moved to Stamford Studios in Connecticut. The show premiered as a traditional talk show, with a focus on political issues and current events. However, it reformatted into a tabloid talk show by 1993, with a greater emphasis on single-issue panel discussions with everyday people. Initially produced by Multimedia, Inc., the program was unsuccessful in ratings in its first seasons due to its focus on more political issues. This led to an overhaul of the structure by the mid-1990s, eventually leading to the show as it is best known for, filled with controversial topics (such as incest and adultery), profanity, physical fights, and scantily clad guests. Chanting, heckling, and nudity was often featured on the show, including flashing audience members for "Jerry Beads." Critical response to the show was overwhelmingly negative; in 2002, TV Guide proclaimed it to be the worst TV show of all time. Despite this, it was highly popular, peaking in popularity around 1997 and 1998, and being a major force in the explosion of "trash TV" at the time. The critique of the show was satirically embraced by the show, with Springer proudly introducing the program as the "worst TV show in the history of television" at the start of each episode. After the show's cancellation, Springer hosted a new courtroom show titled Judge Jerry, which premiered on September 9, 2019, and is also distributed by NBCUniversal; it was canceled after three seasons in 2022.
Format and content Each episode of Jerry Springer began with Springer entering the stage and being greeted by a standing audience (made up of mostly college students) pumping the air with their right hand, chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!". Beginning in 2007, Springer would arrive on stage by sliding down a fireman's pole. He then shook hands with some of the audience members before introducing the episode's topic and guests. The topics were usually of an unsophisticated nature, such as infidelity and other relationship squabbles. Oftentimes, the guests would become emotional and get involved in heated arguments with one another; this would result in outbursts and physical fighting, and the audience chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!". On-screen security guards were present and tasked with managing the potential violence. Once all the guests had told their stories, there was usually a "question and answer" segment where audience members asked guests questions. In earlier seasons, the questions tended to be serious. However, these questions gave way to insults as the show progressed. Throughout the show, some women in the audience would sometimes flash their breasts in exchange for "Jerry Beads" (Mardi Gras-style beads with the show logo). In later seasons, serious questions were typically mocked by the crowd with chants of "Go to Oprah!". Springer then ended the show by giving a formal lecture, sitting by himself on the stage, on the principles of refined values in regards to the featured guests. Springer's "final thought" segment ended with the concluding statement, "'Til next time, take care of yourselves and each other," which was his sign-off line during his days as a newscaster in Cincinnati. Generally, Springer tended to present his program standing up, pacing the aisle steps between the seating areas, rather than having a podium or mark on the main stage. This was thought to be to protect himself from the potential violence occurring on the stage. He deliberately chose a role as straight man; he never directly involved himself in the arguments. "I'm always wearing a suit, I don't curse and I wasn't in fights involving Jell-O," Springer stated in retrospective. Sometimes the show would have a look back at previous episodes. They had rebranded as Classic Springer, some with a false Masterpiece Theatre-like theme and patina. These shows were interspersed with commentary from Springer himself, usually before and after commercial breaks.
Production
Set
According to NBC, the set for the show has had three major changes over the years. When the show first started in 1991, it was very basic with white walls, in an effort to capture the feel of fellow talk show Donahue, Jerry's haircut and glasses even seeming to make him look like Phil Donahue. The general look of this set was carried over when the series first moved to Chicago in September 1992, with an unpolished, open air look and bright colored shapes. In the fall of 1994, a few months after the series underwent its format overhaul, the studio received a makeover to make it look a bit warmer and more inviting, complete with brick walls, artwork, and bookcases. The stage walls were designed so that they could be projected outward into the audience, making room for a catwalk that was used in shows such as the 1997 episode Stripper Wars! In late 2000, the whole set was changed to its "industrial" look, changes initially welcomed due to the reduced ratings of the 1999–2000 season. In 2007 the set was slightly changed, with a larger studio audience, bigger stage, and a balcony, which was above the stage and ended at the pole. Springer used this as his main entrance by sliding down the pole. The logo and stage design were carried across to the new studio in Stamford, Connecticut, with only a few changes and stayed as such until the end of the run.
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