Studio USA's decision to ban fighting on The Jerry Springer Show
has created a ratings slide, while the Chicago City Council applies the heat
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| 'Well, when they're this big, I go like this.'
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Ahh, to be Jerry Springer. To date women half your age who have a fondness
for tight fitting clothes and artificially enhanced breasts. To make millions of
dollars a year watching dirtbags beat each other to a pulp while inarticulately
screaming sentences consisting of four letter words held together by the
occasional conjunction. To be able to hear what people are really saying without
that annoying bleep (the one that dominates the audio to the point of making it sound like
an hour long Emergency Broadcast System test).
Well, at least that's what we used to think. Until lately.
Studios USA's recent decision to ban fighting on the program has led to the show's ratings
doing an impersonation of one of Springer's girlfriends. Add to that a
recent heavyweight confrontation with Alderman Ed Burke and the Chicago City Council,
and you've got trouble in the Windy City.
Springer averaged a 4.3 household rating and 12 share from Monday
through Thursday in Nielsen's 46 overnight metered markets last week.
Compare that to the last full week of unadulterated fisticuffs, which earned
a 4.8/14 average (the week of May 17).
To make matters worse, the drop was steeper in major markets like New York and LA.
In New York, the show had a four-day average last week of 4.8/17, down 21 percent
from the 6.1/23 it banked during the week of May 17. In LA the show sank 32 percent
from the week of May 17 (5.7/16) to a 3.9/11 four-day average last week.
Those ratings points may not seem like a lot, but they mean millions of dollars
to Studios USA. "So, if that's the case, why the ban?" you might be asking.
The answer is simple: Better to have a show that generates some revenue
than no show at all. And that's exactly the decision USA was faced with as the pressure
began to mount.
Springer, who seemed relaxed and damn near jovial during his appearance before
the Chicago City Council, did not hesitate to offer his first public comment on Studios
USA's new policy for the show. "I wouldn't be in favor of it," Springer said of the
distributor's decision. "Nobody who watches our show says, 'Wow, that's behavior
that everyone will love.' I don't want to take (the fighting) off…but it is their show."
Alderman Edward Burke led council members in an interrogation of Springer asking
him a familiar question: "Are they real or fake?" (about the, er, brawls, that is). Springer,
as expected, offered an ambiguous answer. "It looks real to me," he said, but went on
to suggest that the show's participants might engage in a little pre-show scripting of
their own saying, "I don't know what's in their minds."
Springer later defended the show, claiming it portrays violence in a negative light.
He even went so far as to compare the show to a Greek tragedy where "the bad guys
always get booed," and added that viewers always have the right to turn the program
off. "That's why God gave us remote controls."
In the end, the council resolution initially drawn to end the violence on the Springer
show was tabled by committee Chairman William Beavers (who, oddly enough, was
Springer's sole supporter). Alderman Burke, though, claimed victory after Springer promised
to adhere to the recent Studios USA mandate.
A minor victory for Springer came when Chairman Beavers made it clear that in order for
an arrest of a Springer guest to occur, the guest has to file a complaint. (Springer conveniently
added that, in the history of the show, two guests had been arrested for their aggressive actions).
Police though, can make an arrest if they witness an act of assault or battery. The only problem
is the cops on Springer (who serve as security) are off duty, and the shows are not live, but taped
a week in advance.
So, what does all this mean? It means the door is open for the return of 'Top Rank Springer,'
(and enough profanity and beatings to satisfy even the most critical of low IQ television viewers).
It means that Springer is not unlike a cockroach, having survived what seemed to be a nuclear winter
of pressure from the media and government.
It also means Springer, Studios USA, and everyone else are at a stalemate. Given that, look for
Studios USA to get back to the old Springer soon, and the old ratings levels.
We'll keep you posted.
