Jerry Springer, Incendiary Host of Daytime TV, Dies at 79
thewrap.comstatement from his family provided to WLWT, Springer died peacefully Thursday at his home in suburban Chicago.“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesperson for the family, told the outlet. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”Springer became the 56th mayor of Cincinnati in 1977 and served until 1978.
He also served as a political campaign adviser to Robert F. Kennedy. After his time in politics, he went on to become a news anchor and commentator for WLWT before becoming the host of “Jerry Springer” in 1991.
When “Jerry Springer” debuted, it was developed to go the route of other popular talk shows of the time, including those hosted by Phil Donahue and Oprah Winfrey, but traveling in a more political direction with guests like Jesse Jackson and Oliver North.Three years into it, though, Springer and the show’s new producer Richard Dominick, revamped the series to draw more viewers and it made a turn towards tabloid sensationalism.
Rather than segments about homelessness or gun control, the show began to focus on more controversial topics like paternity, prostitution and adultery.
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