New Netflix documentary to go behind the scenes at The Jerry Springer Show
by Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Entertainment Reporter · ChronicleLiveA fresh Netflix documentary is set to offer an exclusive glimpse into the workings of The Jerry Springer Show.
The two-part docuseries, titled Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, will delve into the talk show's ascent to fame, including its historic moment of dethroning Oprah Winfrey from the ratings summit, as well as the behind-the-scenes disputes concerning its genuineness and the notorious on-air brawls.
In the documentary's teaser, the late Springer, who passed away following a short illness in April 2023, is heard confessing: "I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise for everything I've ever done, I have ruined the culture."
An accompanying voiceover remarks: "The bigger that show got, it raised questions about what really went on backstage."
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Throughout the trailer, past participants allege that they were instructed by producers "coaching us on what to say and how to act" and express concerns that there was no regard for "weren't interested in what kind of impact it was going to have on you".
Additional commentary from show insiders reveals: "Teeth were knocked out. It really was the modern version of the Roman Colosseum." Often compared to the UK's own The Jeremy Kyle Show and dubbed the "anti-Oprah", this sensationalist broadcast stirred up much debate with its explicit content, ranging from expletives to nudity.
Among its most unforgettable broadcasts were those tackling taboo topics such as infidelity and incest, with episode titles that included I Married a Horse and I'm Happy I Cut Off My Legs. What started as a fairly conventional format in the early 1990s, tackling political matters such as homelessness and gun ownership, underwent a significant transformation in early 1994. This change came about when Springer and his fresh producer, Richard Dominick, decided to overhaul the format in an attempt to increase viewership.
The documentary is set to premiere on Netflix on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
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