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Jerry Springer, Politician-Turned-TV Ringmaster, Dies At 79

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CINCINNATI, Ohio – Jerry Springer, the 79-year-old former mayor and television anchor whose namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional families eager to bare all on weekday afternoons, including brawls, vulgarity, and blurred images of nudity, died Thursday.

In its heyday, “The Jerry Springer Show” was a rating juggernaut and a cultural pariah in the United States, synonymous with filthy drama. Over its 27-year history, the daytime talk show was a favorite American guilty pleasure, beating Oprah Winfrey’s show at one point. It was known for chair-throwing and bleep-filled confrontations.

Springer described it as “escapist entertainment,” while others saw it as contributing to the dumbing-down of American societal ideals.

“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,” Jene Galvin, a family representative and Springer’s friend since 1970, said in a statement. “He is irreplaceable, and his loss is heartbreaking, but memories of his intellect, heart, and sense of humor will live on.”

jerry spinger

According to the statement, Jerry Springer died quietly at home in suburban Chicago following a brief illness.

Springer joked on Twitter that he was a “talk show host, ringmaster of civilization’s end.” He’d also told folks, jokingly, that his desire for them was “may you never be on my show.”

The show terminated in 2018 after more than 4,000 episodes, never veering from its fundamental salaciousness: some of its final episodes had names like “Stripper Sex Turned Me Straight,” “Stop Pimpin’ My Twin Sister,” and “Hooking Up With My Therapist.”

Springer provided a defense against distaste in a “Too Hot For TV” film broadcast in the late 1990s when his daily program approached 7 million viewers.

“Look, television does not and must not create values; it is simply a picture of everything that is out there — the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Springer said, adding, “Believe this: The politicians and companies that seek to control what each of us may watch are a far greater danger to America and our prized freedom than any of our guests have ever been or could be.”

He also claimed that the participants in his show volunteered to be subjected to whatever scorn or humiliation was in store.

Gerald Norman Springer was born on February 13, 1944, at a London tube station used as a bomb shelter. His parents, Richard and Margot, were German Jews who fled to England during the Holocaust, resulting in numerous relatives’ deaths in Nazi gas chambers. They moved to the United States when their kid was five years old and resided in the Queens neighborhood of New York City, where Springer acquired his first Yankees baseball gear and became a lifetime admirer.

He attended Tulane University for political science and Northwestern University for law. He was involved in politics for much of his adult life, even considering a bid for governor of Ohio in 2017.

He started as an adviser in Robert F. Kennedy’s disastrous 1968 presidential campaign. Springer, who worked for a law company in Cincinnati, campaigned unsuccessfully for Congress in 1970 before being elected to the city council in 1971.

Jerry Springer resigned in 1974, citing “an abrupt move that shook Cincinnati’s political community” in The Cincinnati Enquirer. He claimed “very personal family considerations,” although he did not disclose a vice investigation involving prostitution. Springer later admitted to paying prostitutes with personal checks, which could have been the subject of one of his future episodes.

jerry spinger

Jerry Springer considered a Senate run in 2003.

He had married Micki Velton the previous year when he was 30. Katie was born to her parents, who divorced in 1994.

Springer soon rose through the political ranks, obtaining a council member in 1975 and then mayor in 1977. He then became a renowned nighttime political commentator on local television. He and co-anchor Norma Rashid eventually helped NBC station WLWT-TV’s broadcast become the top-rated news show in the Cincinnati market.

Springer’s talk show debuted in 1991 with a more traditional structure, but after he departed WLWT in 1993, it was given a sleazy makeover.

It was voted No. 1 on TV Guide’s list of the “Worst Shows in Television History,” but it was rated gold. Springer became a superstar as a result, and she went on to host a liberal radio talk show and “America’s Got Talent,” star in the film “Ringmaster,” and compete in “Dancing With the Stars.”

“With all of the joking I do with the show, I’m fully aware and thank God every day that my life has taken this incredible turn because of this silly show,” Springer said to Cincinnati Enquirer media reporter John Kiesewetter in 2011.

Jerry Springer considered a Senate run in 2003, even before Donald Trump’s political rise from reality TV celebrity, hoping to attract “nontraditional voters,” individuals “who believe most politics are bull.”

“I connect with a whole bunch of people who probably connect to me right now more than a traditional politician,” Springer. He opposed the Iraq war and supported increasing public healthcare but did not run.

jerry spinger

Jerry Springer also frequently referred to the country he immigrated to at age five as “a beacon of light for the rest of the world.”

Jerry Springer told a Democratic rally in 2003, “I have no other motivation than to say I love this country.”

Jerry Springer had a nationally syndicated “Judge Jerry” show in 2019 and continued to speak out on a podcast about anything that was on his mind, but his shock value had dwindled in the new era of reality television and combative cable TV talk shows.

David Bianculli, a professor at Monmouth University and a television historian, claimed in 2018 that “real life lapped him not only by other programs but by other programs.”

Despite the constraints Springer’s show imposed on his political ambitions, he accepted its legacy. Springer mentioned a quotation by then-National Review pundit Jonah Goldberg in a 2003 fund-raising infomercial ahead of a probable U.S. Senate candidature the following year, who warned of new people brought to the polls by Springer, including “slack-jawed yokels, hicks, weirdos, pervs, and whatnots.”

Springer mentioned the quote in the infomercial and wanted to reach out to “regulators.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast

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Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast
Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian made a surprise cameo on Netflix’s The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady, which was met with loud boos at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. She was introduced by comedian Kevin Hart to deliver a toast to which the audience booed.

“Alright, alright, alright,” Kardashian responded, as the boos became more intense.

Hart exclaimed, “Whoa! Whoa!”

When the booing faded, Kardashian resumed her roast, focusing on Brady.

“I am actually here tonight for Tom. I wasn’t planning to come tonight, but since I’m not here as Tom’s date, there’s a high possibility I will,” she laughed.

Kardashian made another joke, comparing Brady’s features to her stepfather, Caitlyn Jenner.

“I do know it would’ve never worked out,” Kardashian stated of a relationship with Brady. “The ex-athlete has high cheekbones and silky hair…” You remind me too much of my stepfather right now.”

A meme depicting “the evolution of Tom Brady” emerged on screen, depicting Brady’s physical transition into Jenner.

Kardashian went on, “Part of me believes you would trust me just to try on my clothing. I realize the move from the NFL must have been difficult, but I believe my stepfather is an excellent example for you.

She’s one of the world’s top athletes, and she proved that you can do anything in this next phase of your life. You can be a commentator, a far-right Republica, or a strong, confident lady.

Kardashian concluded her speech by referencing O.J. Simpson, stating, “Honestly, it’s painful for me to see people mock you. But I believe plenty of my family members have defended past football players.

Watch the footage of Kim Kardashian being booed.

 


Kim Kardashian is a reality TV personality, socialite, and businesswoman who catapulted to prominence with the release of her infamous sex tape with Ray J in 2007. She co-starred in the successful reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” with her family, which showed their opulent lifestyles and personal struggles.

Kim’s popularity increased, resulting in multiple endorsement deals, product lines, and media appearances. She’s a fashion and beauty trendsetter, having founded successful brands such as her shapewear company SKIMS and KKW Beauty. Despite criticism for her “famous for being famous” status, Kim’s astute business decisions and ability to remain relevant have elevated her to the rank of multi-millionaire and cultural icon.

Kim Kardashian’s romances and personal life, which include marriages to Damon Thomas, Kris Humphries, and Kanye West, have made headlines. Kim’s daring style and voluptuous physique have stirred discussions about body image and cultural appropriation. Love her or hate her, Kim has built an empire and is still one of the world’s most famous superstars.

Source: CTN

 

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

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Ethan Hawke and his daughter, Maya Hawke, have a running joke about their Flannery O’Connor film.

“Wildcat,” directed by Ethan and starring Maya as O’Connor, was created with genuine authenticity. It’s a deeply creative look at the Southern Catholic novelist and short story writer behind “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” weaving in and out of her imagination and actual life.

Lupus claimed O’Connor’s life in 1964, when she was 39. She won the National Book Award posthumously in 1972. Though she is well-known for her language and sharp social satire, she has recently faced criticism for racism in her private correspondence and her depiction of race in her work. It was a difficult but potentially rewarding region. However, the Hawkes can’t help but giggle as they imagine pitching to a major studio or streamer.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

Here’s how things could go:

Maya: “We want to make a film about an unfortunate-looking woman with lupus.” She struggles with her beliefs and does not have any lovers.

Ethan: “She’s a really brilliant writer but she’s completely unsuccessful.”

Maya: “Also, her minor success has recently been utterly disregarded, and people are mostly concerned in deleting her from the canon these days. “What do you think?”

Jonathan: “Sounds like the makings of a commercial, hit movie!”

If it isn’t clear, “Wildcat” (in select theaters Friday) was produced independently. To flesh out the cast, both Hawkes relied largely on friends with whom they had previously collaborated. The large ensemble includes Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Steve Zahn, and Vincent D’Onofrio, to mention a few.

Maya had the concept for a movie about the day she decided to devote her life to acting. Despite having two successful actresses as parents, including mother Uma Thurman, she had hesitated due to her passion of reading. She was concerned that if she attended Juilliard, she would be forced to choose a decision. So, in a little act of defiance, Maya decided to audition not with a monologue from the theatrical canon, but with one she had revised from O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal” with her father during his breaks while filming “The Magnificent Seven.”

“If I showed them that I was really interested in literature, and if then they still wanted me, then it would probably be a place that would still allow me to explore language and writing and poetry the way that I wanted,” Maya said. “What a rebel.”

Ethan had also read O’Connor early on, at the suggestion of his mother, who encouraged him to read female authors in addition to Faulkner and Hemingway. They were both drawn to this prickly woman who wrote about faith without preaching, as well as about race and white Christian hypocrisy, in a way that few others had. She was also talented, self-deprecating, and suffering with the sickness that killed her father. At 24, she received her diagnosis and returned to Milledgeville, Georgia, to live with her mother (portrayed by Linney).

Ethan has little interest in biopics, particularly “in the age of Wikipedia.” However, upon deciding to direct and co-write the film, he was inspired by films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” and Jane Campion’s “An Angel At My Table.” They were about real people, Jake LaMotta and Janet Frame, but they did not require any prior knowledge of boxing or literature. They were only films about individuals.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“(‘Wildcat’) is a kind of treatise on imagination, reality and faith and how those three things intersect with each other,” he remarked. “I’m not attempting to teach a college course on Flannery. We used her life experience as a starting point for a conversation.

Before delving too deeply into the process, they addressed themselves difficult questions about filming a film about someone who has made racist remarks.

“It begged the question: Do we want to make a film about someone who said some hurtful words at some point? What would it say about us if we did? And how do you become a decent anti-racist? Ethan said. “One of the things I realized was that you can’t create a story about America, past or present, without mentioning America’s wounds, crimes, and sins. One academic put it beautifully: Flannery O’Connor is a racist in rehabilitation, much like our society.

Maya pondered if depiction was always a celebration or if it could be an observation. She hopes it’s the latter, which she describes as a politeness that is frequently provided to films about complicated guys but may be less so when it comes to female characters.

Something remarked by novelist James McBride when Ethan was writing on “The Good Lord Bird” remained with him as well.

“He used to say how important it was that you don’t paint racists with horns on their head because people don’t have horns and racism is real,” Ethan added.

After much research and deliberation, they decided not to back down from the topic or defend her.

“I’m interested in this woman, and I’m interested in all the truths of her life,” he added.

“Wildcat” also served as inspiration for Maya’s upcoming album, “Chaos Angel” (due out May 31). The title and title track are based on a scene she shared with Philip Ettinger in which O’Connor discusses wrestling with her guardian angel.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“That idea really hit me in my gut,” Maya remarked. “We resist our better selves… As soon as we finished shooting the film, I went to make this album.”

Maya is now 25, the same age her father was when he finished “Before Sunrise” and was performing on stage in Chicago in Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” They are close and like-minded, frequently finishing one other’s words. However, Hawke admits that he is little envious of Maya’s musical abilities.

“There’s a part of me that has joked my whole life that all I really am is a failed musician,” he remarked. “All art strives to be music. It’s the simplest emotional connection we may form with one another. So, to see her thrive in this art form? I’m a little jealous of her for that.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Lord of the Rings Actor Bernard Hill Dead at Age 79

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Lord of the Rings Actor Bernard Hill Dead at Age 79
Hill Played Théoden, King of Rohan: Getty Images

Bernard Hill, who cried before leading his soldiers into war in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” died. Agent Lou Coulson said Hill, 79, died Sunday morning.

The second film of the series, 2002’s “The Two Towers,” starred Hill as Théoden, King of Rohan. He repeated the role in “Return of the King,” which won 11 Oscars, the following year.

In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Hill’s character gives a battle cry on horseback to his overmatched forces, sending them crashing downhill toward the enemy and his own death.

“Arise, Théoden riders!” Hill yells. Shields will shatter, spears quake! Sword day, red day before sunrise! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for destruction and the end! Death! Death!

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Bernard Hill played Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic,” one of the few historically accurate characters in the 1997 tragedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film won 11 Oscars.

Hill’s character secretly retreats to the wheelhouse as the ship sinks. He takes a last breath and clutches the wheel as water crashes through the glass as the cabin moans under the waves.

Bernard Hill became famous for playing Yosser Hughes in the 1982 British miniseries “Boys From the Blackstuff,” about five unemployed men.

He received a 1983 BAFTA nomination for the part, and the show won for best drama series. His passing coincided with the second season of “The Responder,” on which he played Martin Freeman’s father.

Lindsay Salt, BBC Drama director, said Bernard Hill’s long career of memorable and outstanding roles was a tribute to his skill. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”

Biography

Bernard Hill was a seasoned English actor known for his powerful film, TV, and theatrical roles. He’s most recognized for playing King Théoden in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” series. Hill was a virtuoso at depicting a complex character’s emotional journey as the once-mighty monarch brought low by Saruman’s betrayal.

Hill has produced a remarkable range of work over five decades beyond his Tolkien role. He was riveting in “Titanic,” playing Captain Smith, and “Defiance,” about WWII Jewish resistance fighters.

He excels as a Napoleonic-era sailor in “Master and Commander” and a tough detective in “Merlin.”

Bernard Hill made an impression on TV with “Boys from the Blackstuff” and “Outcasts.” He has a loyal following and critical accolades for his ability to give every character depth and subtlety.

 

Source: The associated Press

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