Somto Bisina
Jerry Springer, the famous TV presenter known for his raucous talk shows, passed away at the age of 79. Springer’s popular show, The Jerry Springer Show, which ran for nearly three decades from 1991, brought fights, flying chairs, and the fringes of US society to a global audience.
Springer died peacefully on Thursday at his home in Chicago, his publicists confirmed to BBC News. He was an irreplaceable person, said Jene Galvin, a friend of Springer’s and spokesman for the family.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“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,” he said. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart, and humor will live on.”
Springer’s chat show became a symbol of low-brow television over the course of almost 5,000 episodes with its chaotic confrontation, swearing and infidelity revelations.
READ ALSO:Harry Belafonte Dies At 96, See Best 6 Songs
Fellow chat show host Ricki Lake led the tributes on social media, writing: “Just waking to the very sad news of the passing of my longtime talk show rival and friend Jerry Springer. A lovely man. May he rest in peace.”
Jerry Springer’s early life began in the London Underground station of Highgate in 1944 during World War Two. His parents, who were Jewish refugees from a region of Germany which is now part of Poland, were in the station sheltering from a German bombing raid at the time.
Springer moved to Queens, New York, aged four, along with his parents and older sister. He started his professional life working in politics, having studied both political science and law at university.
Springer was an advisor to Robert F Kennedy and served as mayor of Cincinnati from 1977-78. After a failed bid to become governor of Ohio, he switched to a career in TV journalism.
He became a reporter at a local TV station and worked his way up to being an anchor. Launched in 1991, The Jerry Springer Show began life as an ordinary talk show focusing on social issues and US politics, led by the-then mild-mannered Springer.
Jerry Springer’s legacy in the world of television cannot be overstated. The Jerry Springer Show was a cultural phenomenon, a show that brought the raw and the real to television screens across the world.
His ability to connect with people was unmatched, and his humor, intellect, and heart will live on in the memories of all who knew him. Jerry Springer may be gone, but his impact on the world of television will never be forgotten.
