GIMMEE OUTRAGEOUS

I began the week as usual, flying on my private Learjet from my home in Sarasota, Florida, to Chicago, where we record The Jerry Springer Show. Three shows on Monday, two on Tuesday. It’s always the same. Same issues, just different people. There are only two rules: people must be outrageous and they must be truthful. If you call us with an uplifting story – a child overcoming cancer, say – we won’t take it. It’s a fun job. Is it challenging? Of course not. Is it fun? Sure!

It’s mostly about dysfunctionality. Someone not being faithful. Someone sleeping with more than one person. Marrying a cousin. Kind of like your royal family stuff.

I’ve been doing the show for 18 years, since I was 47. Before then I was a lawyer and a politician. I was the mayor of Cincinnati and I ran for governor of Ohio. I didn’t win but it was a good race. Would I ever go into politics full time? Well, every week of my life I give speeches and raise money. I was with Hillary [Clinton]’s campaign, but I think President Obama is wonderful. He’s wonderful for America.

PERFECT ROLE

On Wednesday I flew to London, although not on the jet. I don’t go overseas on it because I’m not that good a swimmer.

I got here to announce my part as Billy Flynn in Chicago. It’s an obvious role for me: he’s a showbiz lawyer from Chicago. The persona fits. I’m no singer and I’m no dancer, but at least I’ve memorised the script.

I’m still dreading the opening night: I’ve not been in a musical since my schooldays. Plus, I’m not doing it in some godforsaken outpost – this is the West End! I’ll just do as I’m told, respect the material and hope I’ll live through it.

I was staying in Soho, so I went to see Chicago, the show. Afterwards I took in a pizza in Knightsbridge. I love pizza, or a cheeseburger and a Diet Coke. I never work out. I don’t drink and except for the occasional cigar, I don’t smoke.

Who wouldn’t want my life? To have all the privileges that come my way through something as silly as a TV show! Would I ever go back to being a lawyer, handling divorce cases all day? If God comes to me and says you can have the exact same life again, I’d say: where do I sign? I wouldn’t trade it in for anything.

But then I believe 99% of life is luck, good or bad. The last 1% you have to hustle for. But I don’t for one second think I have success because I work hard. It’s not related.

CRUNCH IS GOOD

On Wednesday afternoon I went on Richard and Judy. I love those two – they are regular British people. In a way, I think Richard and Judy were the first reality TV show. When you watch them, you’re watching a husband and wife interacting. That dynamic is kind of fun.

The credit crunch has been very good for my show. Because we are viewed as bottom of the barrel, we don’t get the blue-blood sponsors like Procter & Gamble or General Motors. Instead, we get those commercials where people who are facing bankruptcy are encouraged to call in. The worse the economy gets, the more those people call. We make so much money! We are one of the more profitable shows in syndication. We go to 59 countries, including the Middle East. The West has shipped its culture all over the world. That’s why the Taliban get pissed off.

WELCOMING BRITAIN

On Friday I called my wife Micki and Katie, our daughter, and we said the Jewish prayers together over the phone. I don’t eat pork. I go to synagogue and when I am at home, I light the candles every Friday night.

Not that Judaism is the answer. I am Jewish because I was born to Jewish parents. I use whatever my traditions are to say thank you.

Twenty-seven of my relations were wiped out in the Holocaust: everyone except my parents. They left Berlin on August 4, 1939, three weeks before the war began, and Britain welcomed them in. I was born in London at Highgate Tube station.

The BBC unearthed a distant cousin of mine in Israel. They rang him up and said, “You have one relation from those who survived the Holocaust.” He gathered his whole family around the phone. They called him back and told him who it was. Can you imagine finding out that your long-lost cousin was Jerry Springer?

Jerry Springer will be starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago at the Cambridge theatre, London, on June 1 for a six-week run.

For tickets call the box office on 0844 412 4652

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