Jerry Springer Talks "Baggage," Politics, and Hasselhoff

Jerry Springer stopped by today to promote season two of the GSN dating show Baggage, which premiered last night. But it was Springer’s role as roaster of David Hasselhoff that Imus wanted to discuss first.

“That was the filthiest program I’ve ever been a part of,” said Springer, best known for the long-running, often violent, and always sleazy The Jerry Springer Show, now in its 20th year.

Imus wondered why anyone would agree to be roasted, and Springer said he has asked Hasselhoff that very question. “He said, ‘Hey man, I’m going to be on television,’” Springer said, imitating Hassehoff’s voice as a mixture of a person who is both learning impaired and intoxicated.

Though Imus initially had his doubts about Baggage’s success, the show, which forces contestants to present their “baggage” to potential suitors before going on a date, has done remarkably well.

“The show’s really working,” said Springer. As for The Jerry Springer Show, he said, “That, I want to apologize for. There’s no excuse for that.”

Since he is hosting two television programs that tape on opposite coasts, Springer spends much of his time in the air and in hotel rooms these days. That he has been successful for so many years in the entertainment business is still a mystery to Springer, who firmly believes he possesses no discernable talent.

“I’m not trying to be modest,” Springer insisted, adding, “One day they’re going to figure it out.”

A former mayor of Cincinnati, Springer remains interested in politics but does not think the issue over whether a mosque should be built near Ground Zero is a political one.

“The government can’t get involved in this,” he said emphatically. “We have free religion here. If you don’t like somebody, you don’t like somebody, but you can’t say, ‘Because I happen not to like your religion, you can’t have your mosque.’”

When Imus protested that common sense should play a role, Springer pointed out that the First Amendment should too. “We always have to remember the necessity of the First Amendment is for unpopular causes,” said Springer, who attended law school. “If you have the majority religion or the majority point of view, you don’t really need the First Amendment that much because everybody agrees with you. What gives us protection in this society is that we know that even those people that are on the edges have their freedom.”

After agreeing with Father Jonathan Morris’s opposite view on this issue just one hour ago, Imus conceded that he also agreed with Springer. He also observed that perhaps it was time for Springer to stop expressing his opinions so freely so as to not scare off all of his viewers.

To which the self-deprecating Springer replied, “You would be doing a service for America.”

-Julie Kanfer