UPDATED: 27 APR 2023 12:06 PM EST
Former Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer has died at 79 after a brief illness, according to the Associated Press.
Springer was best known for his show, “The Jerry Springer Show,” which aired from 1991 to 2018. Guests on the outlandish show were faced with a spouse or family member’s controversial issues, such as adultery. The confrontations led to chair-throwing and bleep-filled arguments.
The show's tilt into tabloid sensationalism drew a wide range of reactions from audiences. At one point, “The Jerry Springer Show” eclipsed “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in viewership. Conversely, the show was also named No. 1 on TV Guide’s list of the "Worst Shows In The History Of Television.”
Springer also served as the mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978. He served just one year as mayor due to a political arrangement with a local third party group at the time that limited the number of years he could serve. In 1970, Springer ran for Congress, but he failed to unseat incumbent Republican Donald D. Clancy. Springer also mulled a Senate run in 2003 and a run for the 2018 Democratic nomination for Ohio governor.
TMZ first reported on the news of Springer's death.
