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Talk show
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- 2. Talk Show 2 Talk Show: The Jerry Springer Show verses Late Night with David Letterman How do you define the talk show genre? If you were to ask someone what their definition of a talk show is, it probably would be a conversation between two person.After a thorough research on this genre, in-depth explanations will be provided specifically on the tabloid talk show and late night talk show. According to Shoshana (2008), (as cited in Thornborrow, 1997), the display of spoken narratives are often the structure of talk show conversations which are coconstructed between the guests and hosts with varying degrees of arrangement by the host. However, before proceeding, it is vital to know a brief history of the talk show genre. The history of talk show is a cycle related to changes within the broadcasting industry whether it is a cultural influence or an economic development. There are three major subgenres of talk shows developed over time. These are the late-night entertainment talk show, the daytime audience participation talk show and the morning magazine-format show (Timberg, 2002). Due to their popularity, these subgenres have influenced many other forms of talk on television such as the tabloid talk shows. Focus will be given on the constrasting points between “The Jerry Springer Show” which is a tabloid talk show and “Late Night with David Letterman” which is a late-night entertainment talk show. What is a tabloid talk show? A quote for Springer’s show who was dubbed “King of Trash TV” could probably explain the subgenre: “Crazy” is one of the kinder terms that has been used to describe Springer’s circus. While television today us awash in tasteless, over-the-top “reality” programming, in its early years “The Jerry Springer Show”- with its chair-
- 3. Talk Show 3 throwing, hair-pulling, name-calling, sexually promiscuous, occasionally naked, invariably profane guests-was a shock to the public’s system. (Cottle, 2003, p.20). Due to its violent content, Springer’s show which is taped during the day is only allowed to be aired during the night. However, it is still considered a daytime talk show which is a contrast to “Late Night with David Letterman”, which is taped and aired during the night just as its name suggests. Besides that, major difference can be seen from the shows’ guests. Springer’s guests are often outrageous “everyday people” while Letterman focuses more on entertainment and “Hollywood”. Some claimed that Letterman was not a talk show and it is more of an “interview show” as it did not focus on one particular issue, features primarily celebrities and did not present people’s problems (Mittel, 2003). An example of outrageous guest is from an episode whereby a guest was invited to Springer’s show and spoke about her infidelity in which she cheated on her fiance’ with a woman. The woman came onto the stage and a fight erupted between the guest and the woman as the guest said she made a mistake and would not leave her fiance’. To make matters worst, the guest’s fiance’ was invited and all hell breaks loose. Furthermore, another contrast can be seen from the shows’ audiences. Brooke (1998) states that Springer only attracts, a low rent, trailer park troupe if claims by conventional wisdom are to be followed. However, the show has its followers and many may claim that they watch the show for “pure entertainment” purposes. As the saying goes, “One person’s trash, is another person’s gold mine”. In contrast, Letterman’s shows are envisioned to be appealing to a fairly, broad sophisticated adult audience, middle class with a college education besides being predominantly white (Mittel, 2003).
- 4. Talk Show 4 Another contrasting point of the shows’ are its environment and content. Letterman’s environment gives a classier feel and less motivated by “spectacle” which is the main focus of Springer’s show. Despite its success, Jerry Springer has been criticized for its content. According to Rubin, Haridakis and Eyal (2003), the program was too violent and was reported by Independent Television Commission (ITC) to be engaging in “victim entertainment” as there are constant verbal and physical violence performed by the guests (Rubin, Haridakis & Eyal, 2003). Furthermore, authenticity of the content for Springer’s show may be questioned. According to (Cragin, 2010), although Springer does play it “straight”, he and the guests sometimes have trouble keeping straight faces when presenting the guests as if they have a serious conflict. For example, during topics like “I’m Pregnant By My Brother”, it is often unclear whether the guests are serious or the episode was “staged”. In contrast, there are no antics for Letterman’s show as the focus is mainly on the conversations between him and his guest who are primarily celebrities. In conclusion, television talk show is governed by guiding rules or principles that makes it different from other form of television such as drama series or reality television. However, with all its limitations, television talk show is part of modern society. Core principles of talk show remains the same which will be host-centered, spontaneous but highly-structured.
- 5. Talk Show 5 References Cottle, M. (2003, March 17). Is Jerry Springer rabid enough? Virtually normal. The New Republic, pp.20-23. Cragin, B. (2010). Beyond the Feminine: Intersectionality and Hybridity in Talk Shows. doi: 101080/07491409. 2010. 507585. Grabe, M., E. (2002). Maintaining the Moral Order: A Functional Analysis of “The Jerry Springer Show”. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 19(3), pp.311-328. Gamson, J. (1998). Freaks Talk Back: Tabloid Talk Shows and Sexual Noncomformity. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.my/books?id=rtXcAvu5klAC&printsec=frontcover& dq=history+of+talk+show&source=bl&ots=SC8swlagje&sig=JMUcNlVgw0d 0IEQO5srD9yoeSs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3MWHUPyvCcbTrQehwICoDQ&ved =0CEAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=history%20of%20talk%20show&f=false Mittel, J. (2003). Audiences Talking Genre. Television Talk Shows and Cultural Hierarchies. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=2&hid=26&sid=bcbe3c7f-b68a- 486c-a9d7- f76db44ad93e%40sessionmgr114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2N vcGU9 c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=edsbl&AN=RN130933725 Munson, W. (1993). All Talk: Talk Show in Media Culture. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.my/books?hl=en&lr=&id=pUzVBt2pYbwC&oi=fnd &pg=PR9&dq=talk+show+definition&ots=viCxIYlm4Z&sig=2V0lZ1D_eJx VGrUKyFj_DR5Hc9M#v=onepage&q=talk%20show%20definition&f=false
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