Edging Toward The Exit?

Jerry Springer's TV show was that rarest of productions; something that started as self-parody right out of the gate. It is what it is; an institution of American dolt kitsch, sort of like the National Enquirer, pro wrestling and dwarf-tossing.

His radio show has no such sentimental connection; his radio program was a train wreck from day one (which was, for me, embarassing; I thought Springer might have had the chops to pull it off. Goes to show ya...).

And I've seen him speaking in settings unrelated to either - and he's seemed like a decent speaker, at least; wry, self-effacing...worth a listen.

Brian Maloney has observations about Jerry Springer's appearance at a talk radio/new media conference in NYC.

During a well- delivered speech entitled "The Fine Line Between Journalism and Showbiz", Springer said he wasn't sure exactly where, or if, he fit in at the liberal talk network. "While I may not be a Bush fan, I don't think he's the devil, either," said the notorious television trashmeister.

One frustrated company executive, who still supports the concept of liberal talk, told the Radio Equalizer shortly after Springer's speech that his own words should be a signal that it's time to give up on talk radio.

According to the obviously annoyed corporate suit, "he's the worst thing they've got, and he's bringing down the whole operation and ruining progressive talk radio for everybody else. Why doesn't he realize he needs to quit?"

After hearing his speech, we couldn't have agreed more. In this setting, he's very impressive, in a way we've never seen on television and certainly not on the radio, where Springer is a nightmare.

And Maloney asks:

On the radio, where is this Jerry Springer? During his talk shows, we've never heard even a trace of any of these qualities. And on television, he lets the flying chairs do the talking.

I doubt there'd be room for a Springer on FrankenNet.

Springer, in other words, seems (to Maloney) to be edging toward the center.

Positioning himself for a post-FrankenNet radio life?

Soon?

Posted by Mitch at June 14, 2006 06:12 AM | TrackBack