How much of Jerry Springers TV audience do you think

[Skidmore]

followed him to AAR? His TV audience seems to me to be immature freeper types who would choose to ogle and make fun of the sick, dysfunctional, and poor among us.

I'm having trouble reconciling his message and audiences.

[bryant69]

1. It'd be hard to say

But of course there's a sizable number of immature liberal types who like to make fun of that kind of person too - consider Bob Boudelang.

But one supposes some people watch his show with empathy for the people on it. Either because they are in similar situations or they come from them or they are just generally empathatic.

And of course the same criticism could have been made about Phil Donahue (and was, come to think of it).

I never watch talk shows myself, though so wouldn't know.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[stellanoir]

2. I've heard him address this disparity several times.

He says that he merely hosted the TV show and didn't come up with the concept. He made his fortune doing so.

When callers have said that they like his radio show but loathed his TV show, his response is always, "that just proves you have good taste."

[zbdent]

3. I think that more of the people who showed up ON his TV show

were freepers than the watchers who migrated to his radio show (callers)

[marbuc]

4. I do also

I'll never be able to listen to him without thinking of the antics on his TV show. Although an appearance by Security Steve would be interesting.

[FreedomAngel82]

17. I love security Steve

;) He gives a lot to democrats which makes him even better. :)

[marbuc]

19. Does he really? nt

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. I'm having trouble reconciling AAR's goal of providing...

stimulating, engaging progressive talk radio with handing over three (seems like five) hours a day of radio prime time to someone so trite, so simplistic and frankly, so *dull*.

Is this the best AAR can do? Does having a "name" make up for not having
anything original, interesting or important to say?

Are Springer TV watchers following him to AAR?

It's hard to imagine such a thing.

[ClusterFreak]

6. Yeah I'm pretty sure they are two distinctly different audiences....

....I mean, since Jerry isn't doing radio shows called "You Stole My Man", I don't think he's brought his TV faithful along with him to AAR. Springer's a smart guy, and with his AAR show maybe he's slowly ramping up for a break from his trash tv show. God knows he's made himself a gazillionaire from it for the last 10 or 15 years, and he can sure as hell afford to walk away.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I enjoy his radio show

He's become a fast favorite of mine on AAR.

[MADem]

7. I think JS's tv audience consisted of that vast majority that does not

...even bother to vote.

The ones that will TELL you they voted, but they really didn't. They have a political viewpoint, but they don't follow through.

That is just a guess on my part--but half of his guests cannot pay their bills, remain faithful to a significant other, or are astoundingly irresponsible in some other fashion, which is why I suspect civic responsibility and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship are not high on their list.

I have long been aware of JS's philosophy WRT his program, and his progressive roots, and I don't have an issue with separating the guy from his TV persona. With the exception of that business, decades ago, of paying the hooker with the check (that's thinking with the wrong head, there!), he seems to be a bright, thoughtful, thinking and engaged guy.

I've watched his tv show in the past a time or two, mainly to bolster my mood--when you see some of these pathetic people in convoluted situations that would not be believed if it were a movie plot, you realize that your life is not as dire as you might have initially thought. I couldn't stomach it as standard fare, though!

[WCGreen]

8. Is it really any different than Ron Reagan playing second

fiddle to a chimp...

Or arnold blowing hundreds of people away....

Or Sonny Bono....

Or Fred Grandy, TV's Gopher on the Love Boat....

All entertainers who became elected GOP office holders....

[bee]

9. wow.

I watched the Springer show for years... still do now and then. Yeah.. Ill admit it. But I certainly never ogle, or made fun of the sick, dysfunctional, or poor among us. If any talk show host fits more in the line of capitalizing on the sick and poor, it would be Maury ... dont you think? I mean, giving dysfunctional adults a forum to air their "problems" doesnt exactly compare with parading disfigured children around the stage and giving them toys for ratings. But I suppose that is viewed as sympathy.
Am I an idiot? Hell, Id like to think not. I simply take the Springer show for what it is. ie. Not serious. The guests are adults who CHOSE to be on the show. I dare say they even enjoy it. So if adults make a conscious decision appear in a very public forum, one who's reputation they are undoubtedly familiar, what is so horrible about tuning in?
Am I a freeper type? No, not in the least. I am a full blown liberal who believes that the right of expression is important regardless of whether or not I agree with it.
Did I follow Jerry to AAR? damn right I did. Curious to see his "other" side... But now I listen to Jay Morgan instead.
So, while I may, in fact, be a rare departure from the "norm" of Jerrys tv audience... I would advise you not to base assumptions on peoples "type" or integrity based on whether or not theyve watched a tv show. No matter how ridiculous you may think it is.


edited to add:
and yes... not only do I vote, but I am actively involved in politics in my area.. and have worked on several dem campaigns.

[Connie_Corleone]

10. I used to watch it too...in college.

It was like watching a train wreck. Plus, Springer was the mayor of my city years ago. That was another reason I watched. But, I stopped watching it after college because it was just too much a waste of my time to watch stupidity.

I listened to Springer on the radio, but now I listen to Stephanie Miller.

[bee]

12. exactly my point....

I know many people who watch Springer... all of which are intelligent, civic minded adults... and none of which would fall into the same categories as some would place his guests. A guilty pleasure? A waste of time? A mind-numbingly stupid show? Perhaps. But certainly not a basis by which any viewer should be judged. If only shows worthy of being viewed were allowed on tv... there would be nothing on. Its absurdity of its guests, combined with what is for me, an incomprehensible fact that they desire that particular exposure piques our curiosity... and even entertains us. But it makes no statement as to our intelligence, potential, or ideals.

sheesh.

[StayOutTheBushes]

20. >But I certainly never ogle, or made fun of the sick, dysfunctional, or po

That is the whole point of his show. I think you are confused.

[bee]

22. The whole point of the show

as defined by whom? And what sets this talk show apart from a show that expoits disfigured children and women who need 25 paternity test to find their childs father? What is the point of that show?

[StayOutTheBushes]

24. The same

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

11. College kids...

....were his biggest audience from what I understand.

[bee]

14. no doubt...

but my father, active Christian, Republican, and scientist at MIT's Lincoln Labs, loved the Springer show... as did many of his peers. I think people underestimate the show's broad appeal. An hour of stupidity on the "idiot box" is just a welcomed escape for some. Nothing more.
:shrug:

[theboss]

13. I'm not sure I ever watched his show sober

So...I have no idea what that means.

[davidinalameda]

15. he's an entertainer

he changes his style to fit his audience

[NYCGirl]

16. Except that he's always been

a Democrat. (He was voted Democrat of the Year in 2004 by the Ohio Democratic Party for his fundraising efforts.)

[bee]

21. Indeed. So please excuse my digression...

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

:applause:

[davidinalameda]

23. WHOO HOO

hehe

[Tyranny_R_US]

25. I doubt his audience are "freeper types"

maybe his guests are :)