DVD Review - Jerry Springer: Too Hot for TV 2000

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Site created 12/15/97.

review added: 7/29/99

Jerry Springer: Too Hot for TV 2000
1999 (1999) - Studios USA Television Distribution (E Realbiz)

review by Todd Doogan, special to The Digital Bits

Film Ratings: A/F (see review)

Disc Ratings (Video/Audio/Extras): B-/B/B

Specs and Features

65 mins, NR, full screen (1.33:1), single-sided, single-layered, Amaray keep case packaging, bonus interview with Jerry Springer, additional "extra hot" bonus footage, film-themed menu screens with animated transitions, scene access (26 chapters), languages: English (DD 2.0), subtitles: none

Oh, boy.... I feel like I'm slumming here, so I'm going to try and devote as little time and space to this disc in a review as possible. As a service to our more liberal-thinking audience out there (those who may like The Jerry Springer Show), I'd at least like to let them know this disc is out there. Okay, so here goes: Hey! Everybody - there's a DVD version of Too Hot For TV 2000!

I don't believe in the concept of "guilty pleasures", but for those who do, this show would fall into that genre. Despite my feelings that I shouldn't, I like the Jerry Springer Show... and I have to admit, I liked it better with all the fights. As the show is now, it's too watered down for its own good. The Too Hot For TV series brings back the fight factor, dispenses with all the "bleeps", and throws in some T&A for good measure. Nowhere else will you see as much hair pulling, bouncing plastic breasts, or tacky clothing choices packed into one source. When it's all over, you'll wish there were much more - and for those who buy this title on DVD, you'll get more. A whole reel of nudity-based clips. It's loads of white trash fun. In the ratings summary section above, you'll see two film ratings, an "A" and "F". The "A" is for fans -- they'll love this. The "F" is for anyone who turns their nose up at Jerry's show -- they'll most likely hate this with an even greater passion. As the saying goes, buyer beware.

The DVD is okay. The video quality is fine. There's not too much digital noise on the disc, and the sound is pretty good. It's like watching a finely tuned-in TV broadcast. The transition between the DVD menu screen is a poorly-animated Jerry Springer, shrugging as chairs are being tossed, and getting tackled by his security guard Steve. Funny, but it could have used some sound - maybe the "Jerry!" chant over and over. How fun would that have been? An extra, on top of the other added footage, is an interview with Springer and his cigar, which is huge (the cigar I mean). Me thinks there's some Freudian issues we could tap into here, but I'm not even gonna go there. Jerry talks about the origins of the show, and how he feels about it in general -- nothing more than we've heard before anywhere else, but a nice add-on anyway.

If you're a die-hard fan, you can't pass this disc up. If you're curious, stick to the show. But if you have fond memories of the good ol' days when Klan members hit each other with chairs, lesbians stole wives away from husbands, and women called each other bitch while pulling hair - this is a must-purchase DVD. Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jeez, what am I saying?

Todd Doogan
todddoogan@thedigitalbits.com

THIS DISC IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT.