Jerry Springer said his talk show, which included episodes such as 'I Married a Horse' and 'l'm Sleeping With My Brother,' 'ruined culture' five months before his death
Jerry Springer said his controversial talk show "ruined culture" five months before his death.
"I just hope hell isn't that hot because I burn real easy," he said on "Behind the Velvet Rope."
Springer died Thursday at his home, his family said in a statement shared with Insider. He was 79.
Five months before his death, Jerry Springer reflected on the legacy he and his controversial tabloid talk show left on the world.
The television talk show host passed away peacefully in his home in suburban Chicago on Thursday, according to a statement shared with Insider. He was 79 years old.
Speaking on David Yontef's "Behind the Velvet Rope" podcast in November 2022, the politician turned TV host was asked if he considered himself the "granddad of reality TV," thanks to his eponymous talk show, which aired almost 5,000 episodes between 1991 and its cancellation in 2018.
Springer wasn't keen to accept the title and instead answered: "No, I just apologize. I'm so sorry. What have I done? I've ruined the culture."
He then joked: "I just hope hell isn't that hot because I burn real easy. I'm very light-complected, and that kind of worries me."
Springer added that he considers himself "just a schlub who got lucky," and that making a name for himself in showbusiness was "never a thought in my mind."
The show, which featured guests airing their personal problems in front of a live studio audience, still has people talking to this day as it still continues to be syndicated across the globe.
Some of the most memorable and outrageous episodes include a man who was living in marital bliss with his horse, a woman who had sex with 251 men in 10 hours to beat the world's sex record, and a mother and daughter who teamed up to be dominatrixes together.
Of course, over the years, there were plenty of paternity tests, adultery accusations, and altercations between the guests, who were more than happy to send chairs flying in the name of entertainment.
Prior to the talk show, which made him a household name, Springer was mayor of Cincinnati between 1977 and 1978. Explaining how he made the transition from politics to television, he told Yontef on the podcast that it was "pure luck."
The British-born star explained: "After being mayor, I was offered the job to anchor the news for the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati. I did that for 10 years."
"And that was a kind of rational transition and then how the show happened was pure luck," Springer continued.
"The company that owned the station where I did the news owned talk shows. They owned Phil Donahue, Sally Jesse Raphael. Well, Phil was retiring. And so the CEO took me to lunch one day and said, Phil's retiring, we are starting a new talk show. You're the host."
"So I was assigned to it as an employee, and then all of a sudden, the show took off. So I wound up in show business through no thought of my own," Springer said, noting that he doesn't believe he has "any particular showbusiness talent."
Jene Galvin, a spokesman for Springer's family, shared a statement with Insider regarding the legendary TV host's death on Thursday.
"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," the statement said.
"He's irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart, and humor will live on."
Springer's family asked that "in lieu of flowers you consider following his spirit and make a donation or commit to an act of kindness to someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization."
The statement concluded: "As he always said, 'Take care of yourself, and each other.'"
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