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Jerry Springer - My London
Sylvia Mulder, ES Magazine21 Aug 2009
In 1970, Springer ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress. He lost, despite getting 45 per cent of the vote. In 1977, he became Mayor of Cincinnati...
Where do you stay in London?
When I was in Chicago in the West End, I stayed in various hotels in the area.
Have you been away recently?
I went to Tuscany and Capri. Italy is definitely my favourite place to holiday. You know the saying, 'When God made Italy he was showing off'? I think it's so true. Everything is beautiful there: the people, the scenery, the food.
What did you wear on the beach?
A smile...
Home is...
Sarasota, Florida. I am fortunate to live on the beach so I get to swim in the ocean, in my backyard.
What advice would you give to a tourist coming to London?
Look both ways before you cross the road. I love how you guys have written on the sidewalk which way to look. American tourists can be a bit clueless in the traffic, so it's very useful. Other than that, travelling on the bus is a great way to see the city. London is one of my favourite cities in the world.
What is your earliest London memory?
When I was very small - I must have been about three - my family and I lived in a flat in London with a big roundabout outside. I wanted to become a bus driver and I used to stare out the window and watch the buses turn. My mother gave me a round tray and a cap and I'd sit there for hours pretending to be a bus driver.
Where do you shop in London?
I shop like a man. I went to Massimo Dutti on Regent Street and bought the same sweater in three different colours. And I really love Harrods; I bought my grandson a first birthday present there and I just happily wandered around for hours.
What's the best meal you've had in London?
I like Chinese food and China Tang at The Dorchester is great for that. But I'm a casual eater and I like to eat traditional food when I'm in London, like shepherd's pie and fish and chips. You won't find me at the typical celebrity hangouts; you're more likely to see me in some random pub I don't even know the name of, having a good English fry-up. I like to wander round the city and just step into little cafés that catch my eye.
What was the last show you saw in London?
I went to see Chicago before I joined the show and I thought, 'Good Lord, what have I gotten myself into?' It was the first time I've done anything like that; singing, dancing and acting on stage. But I enjoyed every minute and now I'm in the Broadway production.
What is your favourite London discovery?
I was blown away by the Churchill Museum. It is phenomenal.
What do you want on your tombstone?
'I won't be right back.' I have spent my whole life on TV saying, 'I'll be right back,' so I think that's appropriate.
What are you most afraid of?
Reporters! No, I'm joking. I'm don't have any weird phobias, boring huh?
What are your guilty pleasures?
Late at night in the US they show infomercials on TV where they want you to call this number and buy this new golf club or kitchen gadget. I'm terrible because I always buy it, even if it's completely useless to me. These days when I call, the operator says: 'Oh hi, Jerry, what do you want this time?' That's a good indicator of how bad my infomercial habit is!
What would you do as Mayor of London for a day?
I'd ban all the traffic and make everybody walk, because walking is nice and healthy.
Which animal would you most like to be?
An elephant without tusks. They grow very old, they're basically friendly, they're surrounded by beautiful scenery and if I had no tusks, no humans would try to kill me.
What's the last album you bought?
I think the last one was called Fabulous Hits of the Fifties. It was fabulous indeed.
What would you save from a fire?
Old photographs, because you can't replace them.
What makes you laugh?
I basically laugh all day long, but my grandson really cracks me up. He's wonderful.
What makes you cry?
Put on a good chick flick and I'm in tears.
Who are your heroes?
Other than my parents, Winston Churchill and Bobby Kennedy because of the amazing things they did.
What's the most romantic place in London?
Anywhere on the South Bank. The river, the lights and the skyline are very mood-setting.
Reader views (4)
God, you make me sick Jerry Springer, your show stinks and so do you!
- Norman, Bulwell, 26/08/2009 16:26
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Good Afternoon, Rayr; I hope all is well in the USA.
The Jerry Springer Show was much like some of our TV shows in the UK, and they only get air-time because millions of people like that sort of thing, that is the way of things when you get entertainment provided by entertainment production companies that have no idea of what entertainment is all about.
It is even worse today; with the follow on shows like big brother etc; now we have produced a nation that is totally brain dead?
But I was more talking about the man, not his job, everyone has to work, even refuse collectors etc.
Remember also Ray; nobody forces those people to go on shows like that, they mostly want their 15 minutes of fame, or infamy, any way they can get it.
Television is not my personal choice of entertainment today, so I rarely switch it on anymore, and if everyone switched off as well, that would be the end of crap TV.
Remember Jerry is just the front-man, and he gives what the audience wants, that is the public’s choice alone, and not necessarily his choice.
Is it the singer, or the song; Ray?
May I send my best wishes to all our American Friends, at this moment in time, many of us still remember your vital help during WW2; even though many have long forgotten it all.
Best wishes Ray.......Mick & Family.
- Mickinlondon, london., 22/08/2009 13:40
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Mick, can you do your best to keep him in London. He is a slimeball. On his TV show, he always shows thw lowest people in the US. If that's not bad enough, he belittles and mocks them as if he is far supereior.
While they are drawn from the lowest class, they are people who deserve to be treated with courtesy as any other person.
- Rayr, gurnee, USA, 22/08/2009 03:16
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Jerry reminds me of Perry Como; I think both of them would still be relaxed in the middle of a tornado.
In many ways he is a cockney in my opinion, like when people talk to him, and he replies with a smile and that eye glint that means ‘’you think I am serious, but I ain’t’’
He may also laugh all day long with his grandson; but I bet his grandson also laughs all day-long, with his granddad.
There is nothing like good humour tinged with life’s experiences to warm hearts and make people happy, and a bond between grandparents and grandchildren is often very direct; something parents themselves cannot see, maybe it’s because as we age, we remember our childhood with nostalgic memories, and that is a direct link to those young-ones just starting out in their lives.
I have one granddaughter that is already imitating me and my antics, and she is a very funny little lady, she makes everyone laugh.
Long life to you Jerry, and stay happy mate.
- Mickinlondon, london., 21/08/2009 14:47
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