The host was known for his controversial shows, including “The Jerry Springer Show,” which launched in 1991.
American host Jerry Springer, known for his controversial broadcasts peppered with expletives, vulgarities and physical altercations, died at the age of 79, announced Thursday, April 27, his press secretary to several American media, including Fox News. Jerry Springer, who also entered politics and served as Democratic mayor of Cincinnati for a year in 1977, died peacefully in Chicago after “a short illness”said the American people site TMZ, citing a family source.
Launched in September 1991, “The Jerry Springer Show”, which ended in 2018 after 27 years on the air, had become cult and a symbol of American “trash TV”. The show was initially a classic talk show, focused on social issues and American political life.
The quest for the spectacular at all costs
Lawyer and politician, Jerry Springer was on the move, in a relatively civilized style. But, after a few years, to improve audiences, this son of German Jewish immigrants had radically changed the tone of his program, switching to the quest for the spectacular at all costs.
In the majority of episodes, guests came to talk about their couple or family problems, to expose adultery, deceit and baseness. Guided by the care of Jerry Springer, the discussion regularly ended in tussles, the protagonists being held back, only occasionally, by security guards.
At the end of the 1990s, the show had the best daytime audience ratings, ahead of “Oprah”, presenter Oprah Winfrey’s must-see talk show.