Jerry Springer: The Opera

Just how offensive is Jerry Springer: The Opera? Debates still rage about how many swear words are featured; many claim they have counted over 8000. The alleged blasph... more >

Just how offensive is Jerry Springer: The Opera? Debates still rage about how many swear words are featured; many claim they have counted over 8000. The alleged blasphemy in the second act provoked an unprecedented 7940 complaints after it was broadcast on BBC2. With songs about foursomes, masochism and defecation, this musical is definitely not for everyone.
The basic premise of the show is that Springer, having exploited the lives of the vulnerable and ignorant guests who want their “Jerry Springer moment”, is sent to Hell after being shot by his warm-up man. There he must present a show in which he has to reconcile the relationship between Jesus and Satan. Devout Christians may pale at the apparent sacrilege, but the representation of Jesus, Mary et al being as dysfunctional as many of Springer's guests is wittily delineated.
What so many of the outraged reporters failed to grasp is that the opera works as a savage critique of the values of modern television, which abuses the dumb masses who “eat, excrete and watch TV”. The humour is occasionally too puerile, but this fierce (and frequently hilarious) spectacle pulls no punches in its satire. < less

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DVD Extras

• 'How To Write An Opera About Jerry Springer' featurette
• 'Jerry Springer - The Story Of A Musical'
• Audio commentaries
• Sing-along subtitled viewing option

Film Details

Cast

David Soul

Technical Details