Quite a few people are outraged over allegations that the fights between guests on “The Jerry Springer Show” are staged.
This is a big deal, since the brawls on Jerry’s shows have tied or topped the shows of America’s sweetheart, Oprah Winfrey, since the February sweeps. According to Nielsen Media Research, Oprah has dominated daytime TV for almost 15 years.
Although this once again confirms H.L. Mencken’s dictum that no one ever went broke underestimating the tastes of the American public, count me out among those who have their shorts all tied up in a knot now that it has been revealed that Jerry’s fights may be staged.
I’m not angry. I’m relieved. What a relief it is to hear that people are not really as crazed, maniacal or idiotic as “The Jerry Springer Show” would have us believe.
Rather, it appears that they are merely naive. They apparently are naive enough to believe their fighting, cursing, spitting and hair pullings over family dysfunctions, unusual dating habits, extramarital love affairs and betrayals of friendships are going to enhance their self-esteem, once they are “interviewed” on national television for all the world to witness.
The syndicated news-magazine show “Extra” aired charges last week by 16 former Springer guests that a producer had urged them to tell fake stories and stage fights.
“Dateline NBC” took the story a step further by reporting that the “Extra” guests have hired a lawyer to sell their story, which suggests they may be guided by something more than just journalistic ethics.
In a cover story, the current Rolling Stone (May 14) contains an eyewitness account by writer Erik Hedegaard who describes Melinda Chait, a Springer producer, enthusiastically encouraging guests to get angry to the point of visible violence.
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Backstage before the show, the producer is talking to a guest named Keith from Arkansas, who is “sickened unto death” that that his ex-wife, Brenda, 32, is about to marry his 19-year-old son, Bryan, who happens to be her stepson. They are to be married on the show, but not if Keith can help it.
Lathered up, Keith threatens to stuff his sock into the mouth of Brenda’s girlfriend, Tabitha, who also is on the show’s lineup.
To this, Chait says, according to Hedegaard, “If that’s what you’re going to do, do it fast, because security will try to stop you.”
She encourages “moving objects. Moving objects are what get the attention of the audience . . .”
Later, she says, “I want you up out of your chair, but not slugging. . . . Stand up. Show me. You’re here to make sure your ex-wife doesn’t marry your teenage son, period.”
Well, guess what? During the show, a brawl breaks out before the ceremony can begin. A security guard gets the wedding cake pushed into his chest.
Finally, Brenda’s real son from some other marriage comes on stage and tearfully voices his own objection to the wedding. Apparently surprised and saddened by this, Brenda and Bryan call off the wedding.
Springer has denied the charges of staging and launched an internal investigation. If any staffers have encouraged guests to lie, they’ll be punished, Springer promises.
But Springer apparently doesn’t need credibility in the traditional journalistic sense. All he needs is audience. He quickly reminds reporters that the show is “entertainment,” not “Meet the Press,” so, hey, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging people to visibly express themselves.
Under pressure from Studios USA, the show’s distributor, the show reportedly is taking steps to reduce the fighting. Chairs have been moved farther apart and extra security has been posted.
But Springer’s show without fighting is about as easy to imagine as a war without anybody getting shot. Now that he has ratcheted the craven appetites of his audience up to such a feverish pitch, don’t hold your breath waiting for him to ratchet them back down to the level of civil discussion. More likely, the show will soar up and flame out soon–although not soon enough for my tastes–like the old Morton Downey show and other zany predecessors. Audiences that are quickly excited also quickly lose interest.
Meanwhile, since all television is educational, it is instructive to note the message Springer’s scufflefests are sending, particularly to young people who are wondering how to deal with their emotions. If you have a family problem or other domestic conflict, the message here is to talk, but only after you have screamed and slapped and wrestled somebody to the ground.
That’s entertainment, Springer-style. It is all done for laughs.
I have only one question: Why are we laughing?