Jerry Springer death: 10 jaw-dropping episodes of iconic host’s talk show
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Jerry Springer, the famed talk show presenter, died at the age of 79. Despite a varied career as a news anchor, actor, producer, lawyer, and even a former political leader, he will be remembered most fondly for his infamous tabloid talk show, 'Jerry Springer', which broadcast for over three decades. With its stunning family conflicts, dramatic paternity disclosures, and shocking love triangles, the program became a cultural phenomenon. Springer's tenure as the king of daytime television solidified his standing as a pop cultural legend, and his legacy carries on in the memory of those who tuned in to see his outlandish acts.
With almost 4,000 episodes under his belt, Jerry Springer was known for bringing explosive and outrageous content to tabloid TV. However, certain moments stood out even among his wackiest episodes. In light of his death at the age of 79, now is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the wildest Jerry Springer moments of all time.
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We've compiled a list of 10 crazy moments from the 'Jerry Springer' show.
He was sleeping with her boyfriend
The Jerry Springer show's producers truly outdid themselves with this unforgettable moment. In this shocking episode, a woman tells her boyfriend about her new lover, leading to the latter's dramatic entrance with a team of security personnel. However, the new entrant spills the beans to her, saying, "I'm kind of been sleeping with your boyfriend", leaving the audience stunned and glued to their screens. It's no wonder that this love triangle remains one of the most jaw-dropping moments in the show's history.
'I'm here to marry my stepmom'
In this jaw-dropping episode, a 22-year-old guest appears on 'Jerry Springer' to confess to his father that he slept with his stepmother. To add to the drama, the son reveals that he intends to marry his stepmother. As if that weren't enough, the father doesn't even notice that his son is wearing a tuxedo, making for a truly unforgettable moment. This shocking twist on a typical family dynamic proves that anything is possible on the show.
He kicked the life out of him
'Jerry Springer' was infamous for its explosive confrontations, but this moment takes the cake. One guest made an unforgettable entrance that could rival any martial arts movie. The amount of training and preparation required to pull off this stunt was truly impressive and had viewers on the edge of their seats. It's no wonder that this karate kid-level entrance has gone down in the history of the show.
'Happy birthday, I slept with your BFF'
Who needs a typical birthday celebration when you can have one on national television with your boyfriend and his mistress? In this unforgettable episode, a woman's special day takes a shocking turn when her boyfriend brings her balloons and confesses his love for her best friend, who is conveniently waiting backstage. The best friend then offers the birthday girl a cake, only to get caked in the face as the birthday girl expresses her anger towards her and her husband. This moment is a prime example of the show's outrageous and unpredictable nature that kept viewers coming back for more.
He brought her on the show to dump her
While the Jerry Springer show was known for its sensational and controversial content, this particular episode stands out for its emotional depth. The man continues to reveal that he brought her on the show to dump her, also adding that he slept with their common friend while being completely mean and cold in spilling the secrets. Jerry Springer showed his compassionate side by asking thoughtful questions and allowing both parties to share their side of the story. The woman's heartbreaking breakup story resonated with viewers and showcased the human side of the tabloid talk show.
He had a one-night stand because his girlfriend won't get down and dirty
In one of the most absurd moments in Jerry Springer show history, a woman decides to challenge her boyfriend's girlfriend to a Jello fight. This is after the boyfriend admits that he loves the girlfriend because she is willing to get "down and dirty" in bed, something the woman couldn't do.
The guy slept with her girlfriend's best friend
This fiance is the worst. In this episode, a woman is invited to the show by her fiance, only to be blindsided by the revelation that he cheated on her with her own best friend. And if that wasn't bad enough, the girl he cheated with is also his friend's partner. As a bonus, viewers get a 'Tinder tutorial' from Jerry himself.
Her husband is her ex-husband's father
This episode of the Jerry Springer show tells the story of a Montana woman who had a tumultuous love life with a California man. After they broke up, she ended up dating his father and had a child with him. However, she soon regretted her decision and wanted to reunite with her ex-husband. She expressed her desire on the show, but her ex-husband declined her request. This unusual love triangle makes for a dramatic and unforgettable episode.
The 70-lb baby
In 1996, the world was fascinated by baby Zack Strenkert, who made headlines for his size and weight. Later, he was diagnosed with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome, which causes overgrowth. His parents lived an unconventional life, which involved putting their infant in adult diapers, but they loved him unconditionally. During his first appearance on the show, Zack's father said, "We wouldn't change him for the world." As an adult, Zack returned to the show and shared that he was happy and working as a competitive gamer. This is one of the rare heartwarming stories that came out of the show.
He cheated on her for four years with hookers
In 2010, a controversial episode of the Jerry Springer show featured a physical altercation between a sex worker and a woman whose husband had used her services. During the fight, the sex worker's dentures flew out of her mouth, but she continued with the confrontation. Despite the embarrassing incident, the audience cheered when a security guard brought her a glass of water to deposit her teeth into. The sex worker was left humiliated, but the show went on.