What caused Jerry Springer’s death?

Jerry Springer was a legendary television host, a former politician, and previously a news anchor and commentator. He has been long considered the “grandfather of trash TV” and according to previous interviews, he is quite proud of the title and his contribution to television.

Springer is best known for his TV series, ‘The Jerry Springer Show’ which ran for 27 seasons and nearly 5,000 episodes. The show is described as a syndicated tabloid talk show and paved the way for later controversial reality and talk show TV series to come.

How did Jerry Springer die?

According to a statement from his family, Springer passed away peacefully in his suburban Chicago home after a brief unnamed illness. It was reported earlier this year that Springer had been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which turn a turn for the worst this week.

“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,” said Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesperson for the family.

“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”

Springer’s Impact on Television

‘The Jerry Springer Show’ first premiered in 1991 and initially had poor reviews. Critiques of the program called it “trash TV” but that didn’t phase Springer.

Following the criticism Springer would proudly introduce the program as the “worst TV show of all time” at the start of each episode. His humor proved beneficial as approval ratings began to increase into the 1990s and early 2000s as the program started to be described as “the most infamous guilty pleasure” in American television.

‘The Jerry Springer Show’ showed a heightened almost satirical drama that many viewers couldn’t resist. Episodes would feature dysfunctional families, brawls, obscenities, controversial nudity, and chaos.

Following Springer’s program a whole new genre of controversial tabloid talk shows began. In 1991 ‘The Maury Povich Show’ which was later renamed ‘Maury’ began to air, following its success, and a similar model to Springer’s show, ‘Dr. Phil’ hit the air in 2002.

However, it wasn’t only tabloid talk shows that dominated American television thanks to Springer. The controversial humor of ‘The Jerry Springer Show’ carved out a new market in entertainment allowing for reality TV to dominate TV screens in the 2000s and continue until today.