Time for a Kinder, Gentler ‘Jerry Springer,’ Perhaps

Is the fight finished?

Fans--and non-fans--of the “Jerry Springer Show” will be seeking the answer this week as they determine whether the controversial program has indeed entered a new era of nonviolence.

Tonight’s broadcast of “Springer” is supposed to mark the end of the chair-throwing brawls that have turned the talk show into a ratings phenomenon and a target for politicians, religious groups and television executives offended by its fights, coarse language and nudity.

Greg Meidel, chairman of Studios USA--Universal Studios’ television division, which owns the talk show--said in May that all physical violence would be eliminated from “Springer” starting today, but that the show would remain edgy and outrageous.

Following that announcement, an obviously upset Springer disputed Meidel’s statements, saying the show would not change. But he later seemed to back off that stance.

Whether “Springer” will become kinder and gentler was still a mystery late last week. Springer and his producers could not be reached for comment. Neither could Meidel, who announced that he was stepping down as Studios USA’s chairman.

And executives at KCAL-TV Channel 9, which airs “Springer” weeknights at 11 (with repeats weekdays at 11 a.m.), said they had not seen any of the programs that were to be shown this week.

Topics for this week indicate volatile but possibly less violent fare. Scheduled subjects include “My Lover Has a Secret,” “You’re a Man, Dress Like One” and “You’re Too Fat to Make Porn.” A compilation show at the end of the week features Springer in past one-on-one interviews with Kirk Douglas, James Brown, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Mickey Rooney, Oliver North and others.

A spokesperson for Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.)--who has complained about “Springer” to Barry Diller, chairman of Studios USA’s parent company, USA Networks--said the lawmaker would be monitoring the broadcasts this week.

The supposedly revamped “Springer” comes just as the program marked another milestone. Figures released last week by Nielsen Media Research showed that it was the top-rated syndicated talk show in the country during the May sweeps, breaking Oprah Winfrey’s decade-long winning streak in that period. “Springer’s” national ratings were up 152% over May 1997.

Some syndication executives have predicted that removing the violence from “Springer” is the beginning of the end for the show’s popularity. They said taking out the fights would eliminate the principal element that distinguishes “Springer” from other talk shows.

“Springer”--which tops the local ratings from 11 p.m. to midnight--will also face a new competitor tonight with the premiere of “The Magic Hour” on KTTV-TV Channel 11, starring former basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson.