I really would like to know, as I am suspecting that a fairly small percentage of Americans are actually behaving like those featuring on the show... Certainly, the ones I have met are very different! But, I simply don't know. Your thoughts, e.g. Is the behaviour related to income or region?
2006-07-16 21:53:35 · 18 answers · asked by MeerKatje 3 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
Hahaha!!!
The Jerry Springer show makes the average American feel somewhat better about them self because they realize they are not quite as much a looser as those on the show.
Unfortunately, there are many more Americans just like those on the show. Most Americans can relate that they know someone similar to the guy on the show. Each time I watch I wonder if a relative or neighbor will be on next. It is scary!
Most of the people on the show are from the southeast part of the USA. Their accent is generally perceived as being from someone who is lazy and uneducated. There are many tales of people from the south marrying their cousin because they don't get out much to meet other people. All of this reinforces the image that the person is a real outcast from society.
I think behavior is mostly influenced by your family, education and community. Income influences opportunity but not necessarily behavior. Television also has an impact on behavior. Television definitely has an impact on the behavior of young children so it probably has an impact on adults, but to a lesser extent.
2006-07-18 11:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh, no way!!! Please do not think for a second that those people on the Jerry Springer Show are representative of the American population in ANY way! I am convinced that either Jerry pays people to act that stupid, or Jerry sends crews to the slummiest, most drug-infested parts of the dirtiest cities to scrape up these losers to be on the show. I have never met anyone in real life who even slightly resembles the weirdos and idiots on that show. So, the "average" American citizen? NO. But maybe 1 in over 1,000,000.
2006-07-16 22:04:18 · answer #2 · answered by Luna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have lived in three states, the best one (Yes, that would be California), one up in northwest, and one dead center. I've also visited for an extensive time in the deep south and have made a few trips to the Big Apple. Sure, those kinds of people exist. I'd say around 35% of the US population is like that to one degree or another. But this is balanced out by an equal but opposite group of really great people.
Business travel, as well as being half "Asian" (one of my parents was born and raised "there") has also allowed me many opportunities over the course of my lifetime to take a good look at quite a few other countries as well, and in my estimation, every other country is the same way.
For some reason, we just love airing out our dirty laundry in public.
2006-07-16 22:17:50 · answer #3 · answered by l00kiehereu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly a few of them are probably real stories, but most are either exaggerated or totally trumped up and portrayed by actors. People only watch shows like Springer because it makes them feel better about their own problems and certainly superior to those on the show.
2006-07-17 04:16:43 · answer #4 · answered by nimbleminx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Jerry Springer show is entertaining because it exploits the second class citizen. This show is a sample of how the most immature people the show can find. There are no average people on this show because it wouldn't be outrageous as the people who they find that display a lack of intelligence. I also think they are encouraged to let it all hang out, just for the sake of entertainment. There isn't anything to gain by watching this show. Please tell me you don't enjoy this show. Don't even lower yourself to this level.
2006-07-16 22:18:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, there are people like that... as far as how many, I couldn't say. I would hesitate to say that the average American acts like that, but I am an urban person and I can only speak for people with backgrounds similar to mine.
That kind of behaviour isn't strictly related to economics or region, it's culture - and I mean that in the most loose sense of the word. People of all economic backgrounds can be classy, unless they are raised not to be.
2006-07-16 22:01:36 · answer #6 · answered by smokingun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lady, those are actors working for the show. And Jerry Springer is laughing all the way to the bank.
2006-07-16 21:55:12 · answer #7 · answered by ... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Jerry Springer show is entertainment, and not good enteratinment. I don't know anybody like that, and I am an American.
2006-07-16 21:56:37 · answer #8 · answered by DL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all representative of Americans.
His show is purely about trash entertainment (like Howard Stern), and I can't believe he is still on TV. The Maury Show is the same way.
They not only insult peoples' intelligence, but their eyes and ears, too.
Are you from another country?
Yes, these are all actors.
2006-07-17 04:00:00 · answer #9 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The majority of the people appearing on that show are from the
south. Their accent only accentuates their trashiness.
Unfortunately, with or without the accent, that ghetto mentality is widespread. It's very sad and scary.
2006-07-16 22:09:26 · answer #10 · answered by Chris C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋