Ringmaster! by Jerry Springer, Laura Morton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Ringmaster!
Book Review: An Entertaining Read
Summary: 3 Stars
Jerry Springer is the first to admit his television show is a circus. Still, there's something that millions of people are tuning in for - the outrageous topics and warrring guests on "The Jerry Springer Show". This book is a bit like watching an episode of the show: fun, but eventually you get overloaded with enough wacky information.
It's also like the show in that you'll forget about it soon after reading it.
Jerry lets us learn a little bit about his past and how he came to host such a bizarre 'chat' show. The writing style is very informal which makes this a quick, easy read.
The perfect companion for a few free hours, but if you can't stand the show...stay well clear. There's nothing here to persuade you to like either Jerry or the show if you don't already.
Book Review: Explaining a Freak Show
Summary: 3 Stars
Laura Morton is a co-author and owns a television production company. Gerald Springer earned a BA in political science from Tulane University, a law degree from Northwestern University, and became one of the country's youngest mayors in 1977 Cincinnati. He became a top-rated news anchor, then world-famous for his interview show. This book has no index. I've heard Jerry on his radio talk show; he is smarter than the character he plays on TV. You can read this book for a clue to his personality. Will he run for Senator from Ohio? I think he would be as good as Warren Harding (seriously). [If you take away the music and singing, an opera like `Carmen' is like a Jerry Springer Show.]
Chapter 1 tells about the beginning of the show. Why does anyone watch it? Strictly for laughs, or schadenfreude. Jerry shows his irreverence (p.8). Why show bigots (p.15)? His show is like an exception report (p.16) It's great fun and pays very well (p.41). While at law school Jerry took a summer job in Cincinnati at a prestigious law firm. He worked on Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign, then to lower the voting age to 19 (p.49). After he ran for Congress he was called up for active duty in the Army (p.52). In 1972 he was elected to the Cincinnati city council. He improved the transit system and lowered the fare (p.59). Jerry explains the check to that health club (pp.59-61). After this he was elected mayor of Cincinnati. Later he ran for governor, and lost. Jerry became a news anchorman during the 1980s. In 1991 his TV station assigned him to "a fluff talk show" (p.85). It started as a copy of Donahue, and then evolved based on their ratings. They would show life as is rarely seen on TV (p.101). Entertainment, not information. He doesn't pander to mainstream tastes (p.104). Jerry explains himself (p.106).
Chapter 8 explains how business works behind the scenes. Truthful stories that are outrageous are preferred (p.109). They don't pay guests except for expenses (that alone can attract thrill seekers). They don't fake shows, but can be fooled (p.110). Are their critics hypocrites (p.113)? News programs can exploit people (p.140). ["How do you feel about that?"] His co-workers get pages to tell about their work. The owners of the show want "life as it is, even if it isn't pretty" (p.189). Does Jerry really believe that entertainment is causing "kids walking into classrooms with their guns" (p.191)? Doesn't his show make weird behavior seem normal? They were allowed to do anything to attract viewers (p.203). They surpassed Oprah, the first talk show to ever do this. Is TRUTH a coincidental by-product of the news business (p.211)? "The truth is, whenever the senses are involved, what is most pleasurable or most intense isn't necessarily good" (p.241). [His personal experiences?]
Some claim that Jerry's show is a fake, they have actors on. How different would that be from most of the television that has paid performers to entertain the viewers? Can they make that stuff up? [Jerry's breakfast seems very wrong. He should eat a hearty breakfast and a light supper.] The fault of this show is to present the abnormal and outrageous as if it were just daily life. Readers of true crime know how these romantic triangles are often resolved.
Book Review: Good reading
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be an even equal balance between Jerry's private live, from growing up to his political and early television career, and also with talking about the show. It was a clean 50/50 mix. I would have liked to learn more about his personal life as it is now or in the 90's but only one small chapter covers his wife and daughter. He does make a point of saying he likes to keep these issues private and I think we have to respect that. The thing I didn't like about the book was the beginning and how it lead you in referring to Jerry dying and being on God's Talk Show. I found it to be bad taste and didn't enjoy that but ended up just ignoring that aspect and focused on what Jerry was saying and I was also let down by the ending that I felt wasn't really and ending. Would have been good if he had an extra chapter closing the book. Overall though, I must be fair and say this is a biography and I found it very interesting reading. Thanks for a good book Jerry....Book Review: Jerry is truly a Rignmeister!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have the original hard cover book. I always wanted to learn what goes on behind the scenes of The Jerry Springer Show. I wanted to learn more about Jerry's history background as well. Thank you, Jerry, for sharing the light about you. This book is a must for Jerry Springer fans. Now I would like to see an updated Ringmaster book.Book Review: Springer... the most controversial talk show host and author
Summary: 5 Stars
Jerry! Jerry!The crowd chants wildly. However, one must look past this seemingly low-class, degrading form of entertainment. I found this work quite refreshing.
As a scholar, I do not get the chance to fully appreciate the world around me. For this reason, I miss out on meeting many of my fellow men and women. I have lost touch with the average joe and I find this quite disheartening.
However, Mr. Springer has given me the chance to connect with millions of Americans. These people real and their stories are not made up. Springer vividly portrays the joys, sorrows, and anguish that these brave men and women are facing. Perhaps the most touching was the story of the 400 pound man that left his wife for a 3 foot tall transvestite.
I really feel that reading this book helps me appreciate the needs of others. I am forced to realize that all around me, people are suffering. I am spurred on to be a better person because of Mr. Springer and his friends.
I too can chant "Jerry! Jerry!" with pride. Thank you Jerry.
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