British TV lags behind US, says Springer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The American chat-show host Jerry Springer has accused British television of lagging 10 years behind its US counterpart.
Springer, whose confessional talk shows are famous for guests swearing and throwing chairs at one another, praised the quality of documentary-making in the UK, but said that British television has some catching up to do.
He told Radio Times: "What you do great are your documentaries. You still do TV with a stiff upper lip and when you do that it's excellent, the best there is."
Springer, 61, who was born in London but moved to New York at the age of five, added: "The rest of your stuff is 10 years behind American television. That's not a criticism - it's just newer to you here. Your talk shows are like ours were 10 years ago; they plod along. It could be radio. Virtually all your live programmes could be on radio."
Springer has been in the UK filming a series of chat shows for ITV1, which has signed him up for a month in the morning slot left vacant by the talk show presenter Trisha Goddard, who joined channel Five.
ITV says that Springer's new show will not be filled with swearing and fighting, but will include DNA tests for babies whose parentage is disputed, making emotional scenes difficult to avoid. Springer said: "The rule on my TV show is you have to be able to watch it with the sound off. If you still kinda know what's going on, that's compelling."
The Jerry Springer Show, launched in the US in 1991, is watched by 25 million Americans and syndicated to 40 countries.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments