Jerry Springer and His Show Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hosted "American Idol"

Jerry Springer's parents fled to England to escape German Nazi persecution to England where he was born. Both his grandmothers and an uncle died in concentration camps. His family came to the United States in 1949. Jerry attended Tulane University and proceeded to Northwestern where he earned his law degree. He worked as a campaign advisor to John Kennedy and served a brief time as mayor of Cincinnati.

Jerry Springer never hosted "American Idol" but did host "America Has Talent" for two seasons 2007-8.

Jerry Springer was a newscaster in Cincinnati for many years and won ten local Emmy awards. His political career was cut short in the gubernatorial primary in Ohio because of his association with a prostitute.

Answer: False

Considering the controversial nature of the show, the more powerful networks might be reluctant to commit to a program that it might have to defend or cancel.

Syndication involves a decision by a local television station to purchase the show and pay for it by running commercials. These are often by firms wanting to purchase your lottery or settlement funds, law firms that want you to sue someone--probably doctors, payday loan companies, and obnoxious local car salesmen.

Perhaps not as well known, the first two years 1991-2 of "The Jerry Springer Show" was devoted to political and social issues. Guests during that time included Jesse Jackson and Oliver North. Inspired somewhat by "The Rickie Lane Show", in its third year in order to seek better ratings it began to explore more tabloid type entertainment. By 1995 it was what one critic called "a full-blown-freak show.

Answer: The Plight of the Homeless in America

Shattered relations more often than not are the core of the program. Infidelity, sexual orientation, betrayal, and bitter family struggles are explored. There is an invitation for television watchers to phone in if they have an issue or someone they would like to confront. The film "Ringmaster" (1998) starred Jerry Springer as himself and gave some background of how guests were recruited and prepared.

Cynically, many of these guest are motivated to get a few minutes of exposure on television, or Andy Warhol's fifteen minutes of fame. Some these are individuals who have been of other 'talk' shows. In many cases the participants are encouraged to fight, hence the presence of security guards to prevent any serious physical damage. Guests are asked if they would like to prefer charges against an attacker.

Answer: All of these

Jerry is often greeted by the audience chanting "Jerry" and may also be chanted later when something meets their approval. In the audience participation segment late in the program the audience member have a chance to hurl insults at the guests and females use their few seconds to bare their breasts.

Normally the audiences are made up of college students on an outing. "Springer" is a favorite with this group. It is comforting to know that our future leaders have made this selection. When I was it college "Batman" was the academic choice.

Answer: Use of boxing gloves and head gear

Most fights start when a guest backstage learns about betrayal or infidelity on the part of the onstage guest or guests. Women generally kick off their shoes so as not to fall on the stage during the encounter. After an initial confrontation, battling guests are given paper cups of water. Often the guest will throw the water on the other guest so the struggle will begin again.

Security guards strive to keep participants an arm length from each other but a few blows get through. The guards will allow fights between females to go on longer as they are less likely to inflict damage. Fights between men are shorter as men are more likely to throw damaging blows due to their size and weight.

Meanwhile, the audience hoots and hollers and chant 'Jerry' or 'Jer-ree'.

Answer: Larry King

In August 2000, Springer appeared on Larry King Live to discuss the incident. Springer explained the events had nothing to do with his program. He further stated that his program did not endorse or glamorize deviant behavior.

A later law suit by the surviving sons claimed the 'mood' of the program prompted the murder. This was met by a counter suit against the estate for 'malicious prosecution'. Eventually both suits were dropped, a vindication of the program.

A similar situation on "The Jennie Jones Show" in 1995 led to a 25 million settlement that was later overturned by an appellate court.

Answer: Steve Wilkos

"The Steve Wilkos Show" debuted in 2007 and although a spin-off of the "The Jerry Springer Show", it takes a different tact. Adultery, domestic abuse, paternity, disrespectful children, and teenage pregnancy are more often the core topics. Violence is kept to a minimum but Steve has been known to throw a chair or two. Jerry Springer is listed as a producer.

Disputes are often settled by lie detector tests. Although a security guard, he hosted "The Jerry Springer Show" in Jerry's absence and attracted the eye of producers who thought that a talk show could be constructed around him.

Answer: Take care of yourself and each other

Jerry's final words are an attempt to place the content of the program in a broader philosophical context and to salve over the ill feeling and passions of the guests. He often reminds that what we have seen are not just personal problems but human problems.

When Springer was a newscaster early in his career, he coined the phrase "take care of yourself and each other" as his sign-off. He has used it in other programs where it is appropriate,

Answer: Baggage

Baggage in the context of this program were secrets that could spoil a relationship. In the beginning of the program a male contestant is given three pieces of baggage. Example: "I am currently on parole from prison", "I live with my mother and she pays all my bills" and "I suffer from extreme flatulence".

However, only one is true. The three female contestants also have 'baggage' and as these are revealed by the end of the program, the male must select the woman with baggage that he can accept. The female then is told what the secret baggage was and she could accept or reject a date with him. Or visa-versa if the contestant is female.

Answer: A desk and couch

In addition to the fan, brick walls, and pipes, the program begins with one or two chairs in the middle of the stage. Jerry uses a hand-held mike and often begins his program from the audience by asking the guest "What's going on?" Jerry will enter the stage and continue to ask clarification questions and make observations. At the end of the program a 'jerry-rigged' setup is used for all the guests to be confronted by the audience's intimidating questioning.