From the Vault: Ringmaster

Made back in 1998, this was an attempt by shock talk show host, Jerry Springer, to show the American public that what you don't see on his show might just be more shocking. 

It's impossible to discuss the movie without first talking about the controversial tv show.  The Jerry Springer show began in 1991 and wasn't much different than other talk shows at the time.  It was a political talk show featuring topics like gun control, rock music in society, and the needs of the poor.  By 1994, the focus turned more to the extreme.  Eventually introducing topics like my boyfriend is a girl, men who watch too much porn, or shows featuring racists or sexual fetishes.

At the height of Jerry Springer's controvercial popularity, the screenplay for "Ringmaster" was written by Jon Bernstein.  Bernstein, not known for much writing success, Ringmaster was his first feature length project. 

The story is a convergence of three separate storylines: 1) a white trash family where the daughter is sleeping with her mother's husband, 2) a black man sleeping with two best friends, and 3) Jerry himself interacting with fans and vocal critics alike while still producing the tv show.

As you could expect, the story isn't much different from the actual tv show.  Generally unlikeable people flaunting their loose morals and general stupidity.  And with a runtime of 90 minutes and three different storylines, the whole thing feels rushed.  This is both good and bad: the characters are so unlikeable that we don't want to spend much time getting to know them.

This movie would've benefitted from some creative re-writing.  Instead of three storylines all meeting on the Jerry Springer show, focus the 90 minute movie on just one aspect.  Believe it or not, much of the movie while only 90 minutes is filler scenes of what brought the people to contact the show in the first place.  A tighter story would focus on Jerry.  I would like to know more of how he deals with the type of attention he gets with his show.  How do people on the street react to him?  Positively?  Do they ask for autographs?  Do they ask him for advice?  Do they publically try to shame him for promoting immoral behavior?  Does this put stress on his relationships with friends and family?  How would he respond to his critics if he were given the chance?  Some of these questions are answered but never fully explored and that's a real shame.

I wouldn't recommend this movie other than for the human train wreck you'd get with the hour long show.  If really curious, just watch the show and try to fill in the blanks for yourself.  You'd get the same experience.