Some shows are binge-worthy, but some rare gems on TV glue you to the screen.
One show in the 90s completely changed American television. The Jerry Springer Show hit the TV like a spring fever— where the backdrop may seem like any sophisticated and pretentious talk show, but bam!….the chaos ensues the minute you are pulled in.
The show quickly became a phenomenon, surpassing Oprah Winfrey’s ratings in the late 90s.
No matter how often you scoff at the ridiculous guests, you are still entirely invested in their roller-coaster life. The Oprah+UFC+Judge Judy concoction of a show was a cheap thrill of escapism. With 27 years, over 5000 episodes, and every taboo topic under the sun, the show stood the test of its time only because of one man!
Who Is Jerry Springer?
Gerald Norman Springer, born on 13 February 1944 in London during World War II, was one of the holocaust survivors. Jerry was barely four years old when his family migrated to the United States.
Having experienced the brutal part of history, his main interest was politics. His political pursuit began as an advisor for the Kennedys in 1968, before he ran for Congress elections in 1970. Even after the first unsuccessful attempt, he was appointed to Cincinnati City Council in 1971. He resigned after a scandal exposé but again ran for elections in 1975, winning by a landslide.
By 1977, he was Cincinnati’s mayor and also ran for governor in 1982. His political style was often perceived as ‘Gonzo’ type, where his stunts were unusually chaotic (keep this in mind as we explore his career further).
After this brief stint, Springer decided to transcend his political views into an opinion-based talk show. This was the inception of the Jerry Springer Show, with basic commentating on political views. However, the producer dramatized the show in 1994 in hopes of soaring the ratings.
Thus the rebirth of the show gave America their favorite pastime. He was the kind of host who never judged the people but assessed their circumstances. This kind of empathy was a rare skill in daytime TV (ahem, Tyra Banks Show). Plus, his sarcasm added fuel to the fire!
After almost three decades of epics chair slamming, hair-pulling, “not the father,” catfishing, and epic commentary from Jerry, the show took its last bow in 2018.
Jerry continued his TV career with the reality show, ‘Judge Jerry’ which last aired on August 2022.
What Happened to Jerry Springer?
Jerry Springer passed away on 27 April 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, at 79 years old. He was battling Pancreatic cancer and is survived by his daughter Katie and ex-wife Micki Velton.
Did Jerry Springer Have Any Kids?
Contrary to popular belief in the fandom, Jerry Springer has only one daughter Katie Springer with his ex-wife Micki Velton.
Springer and Velton were married for nearly two decades before they announced their divorce in 1994.
However, Katie was born with a few complications, including deafness in one ear, being born without nasal passage, and being legally blind. Her journey to work with disabilities and be the guiding light for those in need was an inspiration for Jerry to participate in season 3 of “Dancing with the Stars.”
What Does Jerry Springer’s Daughter Do?
Katie Springer, born in 1976, graduated from Barat College, Illinois. She then got into the teaching field in hopes of helping kids with disabilities and integrating them into society.
In a 2006 interview with Access Hollywood, Katie opened up about her courage and determination to keep going–
“I’ve heard this story that when I was first born, and they heard about all these problems, they just said, ‘We’re never going to treat her different; we’re going to make sure she knows she’s not different.'”
She channeled this positive mindset from her parents into ten years of dedicated service to children with special needs at Chicago’s Park School.
Is Jerry Springer’s Daughter Married?
Despite all her disabilities, Katie has manoeuvered her destiny per her wish. In 2006, she announced that she was got married to Adam Yenkin. Jerry’s dance partner in DWTS, Kym Johnson, taught a dance routine for Katie’s wedding nuptials. And two years later, Katie welcomed her first child.
What do you think of the Jerry Springer Show? Was it your guilty pleasure or simply “trash TV?”
Let us know your unfiltered opinions on the unfiltered talk show host.
