Jerry Springer versus Oprah Winfrey Show

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In the world of entertainment, TV talk shows have undoubtedly

flooded every inch of space on daytime television. Many of us have seen

and heard the often recycled topics found on such veteran shows as Geraldo

and Sally Jessy Raphael. And anyone who watches talk shows on a regular

basis knows that each one varies in style and format. One might enjoy

watching the sometimes trashy subject matter found on Jenny Jones, while

someone else might prefer the more serious and light hearted feel of the

Maury Povich show. But no two shows are more profoundly opposite in

content, while at the same time standing out above the rest, than the

Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey show.

Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of "trash

talk." The topics on his show are as shocking as they get. For example,

the show takes the ever common talk show themes of love, lust, sex,

sexuality, adultery, cheating, guilt, hate,

conflict and morality to a different level. In a vintage Springer show,

one finds women who cheated on their boyfriends and are ready to confess.

But the boyfriends are in for a bigger surprise. As it turns out that all

the women haven't been secretly seeing other guys, but seeing other women,

who also happen to be waiting backstage. Another episode tells of a John

Wayne Bobbit type case, but with a more twisted plot. A male cuts off his

own manhood because he claimed that his homosexual neighbor was stalking

him. Shocking, indeed, but the list of talk material goes on from

dangerous love triangles, broken homes, pregnant strippers, teenage

prostitutes, adult film stars, devil worshippers and the ever popular talk

show regulars, the members of the Ku Klux Klan. Clearly, the Jerry

Springer show is a display and exploitation of societies moral

catastrophes, yet people are willing to eat up the intriguing predicaments

of other peoples lives.

Oprah Winfrey was once a follower of the trash TV format, but her

long running popular TV talk show has since been reformed. Like Jerry

Springer, the Oprah Winfrey show takes talk TV to its extreme, but Oprah

goes in the opposite direction. Oprah is probably the most immaculate talk

show there is. It is unlikely that you will find guest on Oprah that have

committed adultery, have sold their souls to the devil, or are part of a

racist hate group. Instead, the show focuses on the improvement of society

and an individuals quality of life. Topics range from teaching your

children responsibility, managing your work week, proper etiquette,

getting to know your neighbors and entertaining interviews with

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