The Springer Hustle, a reality television show based on the behind-the-scenes goings on at The Jerry Springer Show, has recently joined VH-1’s line up of “celeb-reality” shows on Sunday night. The show premiered on April 15 and now airs at 11 P.M. following Celebrity Fit Club and Flavor of Love Charm School.
Richard Dominick, who is the executive producer of The Jerry Springer Show, also directs The Springer Hustle. The show focuses mostly on the producers and their interactions with the show’s “guests.” So far The Springer Hustle has aired three times, following one producer each time as they book guests and make the vision for their shows come alive.
Producers push their guests to do and say certain things on the show to get the outcome they want. The very first episode follows Selina, a very driven producer who pushes for the “old-school Jerry Springer Show,” the kind with hair pulling, punching and yelling. The guests on her show are easily manipulated into saying and doing what she wants after she “briefs” them. “Briefing” consists of role-playing, feeding lines, everything down to what the guest will wear. Her work pays off, though, because the guests behave how she hoped they would and Dominick is pleased with the show’s outcome.
The second episode follows Toby, who is not so lucky. His show falls through and guests aren’t receptive to his “briefing.” Although the behind-the-scenes look is interesting and the guests are entertaining, so far the show hasn’t proved itself to be any different from the other run-of-the-mill reality television shows out there.
In fact, viewers might even feel guilty after watching the show, considering it’s based on what’s been called the worst show on television. On the other hand, The Springer Hustle is undoubtedly entertaining, even for those who don’t care for the Jerry Springer Show, so viewers who would like to decide for themselves can catch the fourth episode which airs on Sunday, May 6, at 11 P.M. on VH-1.