Maury Povich On Jerry Springer’s Death: ‘He Didn’t Change TV, He Radicalized It’

Maury Povich Reflects on the Death of Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer’s longtime rival Maury Povich reflected on the death of his colleague on Thursday.

The 84-year-old talk show host told People he was “absolutely shocked” to hear about Springer’s passing. The host of “The Jerry Springer Show” died after a reported battle with pancreatic cancer.

“We were all rivals, but at the same time, Jerry and I, because for the last 20-odd years, we both worked for the same company, we had the same bosses,” Povich said. “We also taped in the same studio for the last 10 or 12 years. So we would see each other, and we would reminisce.”

The talk show host said Springer was beloved by staff. “They love Jerry and he was a joy to be with,” Povich said. “He was very funny. He always loved to tell jokes. And some of the jokes were terribly stale.”

Povich also reflected on how the two very different talk shows were perceived. “The Maury Povich Show,” which is known for revealing paternity test results, also focused on drama. But “The Jerry Springer Show” became notorious for physical altercations, swearing, and vulgarity.

“People always ask, you know, ‘you and Jerry are the same kind of show,’” Povich told People. 

“Jerry used to say to me, he says ‘Here’s the thing, Maury. You’re the real deal. And I’m just the deal.’ I said, ‘Jerry, I might be the real deal but you’re your deal, okay?’ And he always said, he said, ‘You got it right,’ when some of the media asked me one time the difference between you and Jerry. I said, ‘Well, I do real people’s stories and he, he’s doing WWE.’ And he says, ‘You’re right! It’s wrestling on my show.’”

“Jerry didn’t change TV, he radicalized it,” Povich said.

Thoughts from Other Talk Show Hosts

• “Other than my father, Jerry was the most influential man in my life,” Steve Wilkos, who was a security guard on “The Jerry Springer Show” before being given his own talk show, told People in a statement. “Everything I have today I owe to Jerry. He was the smartest, most generous, kindest person I’ve ever known. My wife and I are devastated. We will miss him terribly.”
• “My thoughts and prayers go out to Jerry’s family,” Montel Williams said.
• Sally Jessy Raphael said she was “extremely sad at the news of Jerry Springer’s passing.”
• “He was a bright, funny man whom I considered to be a friend,” Raphael said. “He will be missed.”

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