The Jeremy Kyle Show

Infobox Television
show_name = The Jeremy Kyle Show


caption = "The Jeremy Kyle Show" titles
format = Talk Show
picture_format = 16:9
runtime = 65 minutes
(including adverts)
creator =
presenter = Jeremy Kyle
network = ITV
first_aired = 4 July, 2005
last_aired = present
location = Manchester
num_episodes =
country = UK
producer = ITV Productions
related =
imdb_id =

"The Jeremy Kyle Show" is a daytime television talk show presented by Jeremy Kyle which has been running in the UK on ITV since 4 July, 2005.Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492430/|title=The Jeremy Kyle Show|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Internet Movie Database] The show is filmed at the Granada Television studios in Manchester, England, and broadcast each weekday at 9:25 am on the ITV Network, and repeated later in the day on ITV2; this edition is immediately followed by a repeat of an older episode of the show. It is also sometimes shown in the early hours of the morning on ITV channels. The show first appeared as a replacement for Trisha Goddard's talk show which was moved to the channel Five.

The show is also shown outside the UK on TV3 Ireland weekdays at 10:30am and on TV2 (New Zealand) weekdays at 12:30pm.

The show is distinctive for its confrontational style, which sees guests attempt to resolve issues with others that are significant in their lives, such as family, relationship, sex, drug, alcohol and other issues.Cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/jeremykyle/|title=The Jeremy Kyle Show|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=ITV.com] Cite web|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/display.var.1741046.0.0.php|title=Why do we watch all these vile shows?|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Press] Frequently, guests display strong emotions such as anger and distress on the show, and Kyle is often harsh towards those that he feels have acted in morally dubious or irresponsible ways, whilst strongly emphasising the importance of traditional family values. This has led to both criticism and parody of the show in newspapers and on television, and even led to the show being described as "human bear-baiting" by a Manchester District Judge, during a prosecution after guests had been involved in a violent incident on the show.Cite web|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2180271,00.html|title=Therapy experts rap Kyle show|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Observer]

Background

In late 2004, Trisha Goddard left ITV to move her "Trisha" talk show to the channel Five, so as a , Jerry Springer was drafted in to host the talk show "The Springer Show" until a permanent replacement could be found.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4593407.stm|title=Springer attacks 'slow' UK shows|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=BBC News] "The Jeremy Kyle Show", which was first broadcast on 4 July 2005, fully replaced "The Springer Show" in August, and since then the show has been the sole occupant of ITV's weekday 9:25am slot.

During the launch week of the programme, the show was overshadowed by news coverage of the London tube bombings. Earlier in that week, a transmission breakdown disrupted one of the first three showings. [cite news
title = Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
publisher = BARB
date =
url = http://www.barb.co.uk
accessdate = 2007-10-04] In 2007 the show was nominated for the "Most Popular Factual Programme" award at the National Television Awards,Cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article366716.ece|title=Kyle: Human bear-baiter|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Sun] although lost in that category to "Top Gear".

tyle

The guests typically include couples, families and friends who are concerned about a person or people close to them with a problem that they would like to be resolved. Guests on the show have been stereotyped as representing an ignorant underclass.Cite web|url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=549737|title=Murder, live on TV in the morning... coming next to Kyle’s victims|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=News & Star] Cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/oct/01/theatre.arts|title=I love daytime TV shows. The people they feature are ignored - or derided - everywhere else|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Guardian] Kyle discusses the problem with the guests and mediates with all the involved parties, trying to help them reach a solution; he regularly offers backstage and after-show support and counselling, which is guided by Graham Stanier, Kyle's in-show psychotherapist and director of aftercare. With other guests, lie detectors and DNA tests are frequently used to determine whether an individual has been lying, or to reveal whether a man is the biological father of a child.Cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/martin_samuel/article2689747.ece|title=Tune in tomorrow for more freaks, misfits and saddos|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Times Online]

Frequently, when friends or relatives of the show's guests enter the stage having heard backstage what has been said, strong language and fights break out on the show regularly, although the latter are never shown, instead the camera gives a view of the audience and Jeremy until his security team restores order. This has led to the show being compared with Roman gladiatorial combat in its brutality. As a talk show host Kyle is known to react with hostility and anger towards those who he sees as having acted immorally, is seen as having a patronising, "holier-than-thou" attitude towards many of his guests, and is accused of exploiting the vulnerable.Cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=398160&in_page_id=1879|title=The secrets of the Jeremy Kyle show|accessdate=2007-10-31|publisher=Daily Mail] However, he does claim that he is acting in the best interests of his guests and is intent on helping to solve their personal problems. There have been success stories as a result of guests being on the show, such as the case of a morbidly obese young woman who lost a lot of weight after her appearance on the show.Cite web|url=http://www.bexhillobserver.net/479/Obese-Laura-is-looking-to.3361967.jp|title=Obese Laura is looking to the future|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Bexhill-on-Sea Observer] Graham Stanier told "The Observer" that he was "immensely proud" of the help provided to the show's guests, with "full shows of people coming back on the programme who have been successful in overcoming drug, alcohol or relationship problems, through the care that we have provided".

The validity of the help that is provided to guests has been called into dispute, as a professional psychotherapist who was offered the chance to work on the show claimed that he believed the ratings were more important to the show's producers than solving the guests' problems. A former producer for the show claimed that the production team encourages guests to react angrily to one another.Cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/oct/08/mondaymediasection2|title=Jeremy Kyle laid bare|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Guardian] It has also been alleged that the producers "plied an alcoholic guest with beer before he appeared on the programme".Cite web|url=http://www.tvscoop.tv/2007/10/more_shock_and.html|title=More shock and scandal regarding The Jeremy Kyle Show|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=TV Scoop] ITV has denied these charges, claiming that "two of the guests were given alcohol to counteract withdrawal symptoms while the third had not mentioned a drink problem", that "guests are not deliberately agitated before appearing", and that the show provides to its guests "proper, professional help, funded by the programme, which has really and undeniably helped hundreds of people".

Criticism and controversy

On 24 September 2007, a Manchester District Judge, Alan Berg, was sentencing a man who headbutted his love rival while appearing on the show. Judge Berg was reported in the "Manchester Evening News" as saying: "I have had the misfortune, very recently, of watching "The Jeremy Kyle Show". It seems to me that the purpose of this show is to effect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people whose lives are in turmoil", and that it was "a plain disgrace which goes under the guise of entertainment". He described it as "human bear-baiting" and added that "it should not surprise anyone that these people, some of whom have limited intellects, become aggressive with each other. This type of incident is exactly what the producers want. These self-righteous individuals should be in the dock with you. They pretend there is some kind of virtue in putting out a show like this." [cite news
title = Judge blasts Kyle show as 'trash'
publisher = BBC News
date = 25 September, 2007
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7011962.stm
accessdate = 2007-10-04]

An ITV spokeswoman responded in defence that "we take the safety and well-being of studio guests extremely seriously. It is made clear to all guests prior to going into the studio that no violence is ever tolerated."Cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=483633&in_page_id=1770|title=ITV defends 'human bear baiting' Jeremy Kyle Show after guest headbutts love rival|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Daily Mail] Jeremy Kyle responded by saying: "Some people will always think I've got the eyes of Satan. Others will think I'm a TV god. People have the right to criticise. Sometimes people need to be stripped bare before they can be helped".cite news
title = Kyle defends 'bear-baiting' show
publisher = The Mirror
date = 26 September, 2007
url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/09/26/kyle-defends-bear-baiting-show-89520-19848899/
accessdate = 2007-10-04]

On 29 September 2007, Learndirect, the government-backed sponsors of "The Jeremy Kyle Show", cancelled their £500,000 a year deal over concerns about its content following a letter of protest from Welsh MP David Davies.Cite web|url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=kyle-tv-money-pulled&method=full&objectid=19869170&siteid=50082-name_page.html|title=Kyle TV money pulled|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=icWales.co.uk] Ufi, which runs the Learndirect adult learning service, said continuing the deal would not "protect and enhance" its reputation. [cite news
title = Sponsors cancel Jeremy Kyle deal
publisher = BBC News
date = 29 September, 2007
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7019266.stm
accessdate = 2007-10-04] However, the sponsor of the show in Scotland is Shades Blinds, who have retained their association with the programme although considered withdrawing their sponsorship.Cite web|url=http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2007/09/30/scots-sponsor-to-pull-blinds-down-on-jeremy-kyle-78057-19870643/|title=Scots Sponsor To Pull Blinds Down On Jeremy Kyle|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Sunday Mail]

Newspaper columnists subsequently exchanged mixed views about "The Jeremy Kyle Show". Fiona Phillips, writing in the "Daily Mirror", accused Judge Berg of being out of touch and claimed those appearing on the programme knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for. [cite news
title = I can't bear poor judge of character
publisher = The Mirror
date = 29 September, 2007
url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/columnists/fiona/2007/09/29/i-can-t-bear-poor-judge-of-character-89520-19866808/
accessdate = 2007-10-04] However, Carole Malone at sister publication the "Sunday Mirror" claimed Kyle was only interested in helping his own ego. [cite news
title = Kyle's a pile of steaming bull
publisher = The Mirror
date = 30 September, 2007
url = http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/columnists/malone/2007/09/30/kyle-s-a-pile-of-steaming-bull-98487-19870700/
accessdate = 2007-10-04] In "The Times" newspaper, columnist Martin Samuel described the show as "a tragic, self-serving procession of freaks, misfits, sad sacks and hopelessly damaged human beings" and its guests as "a collection of angry, tearful and broken people, whose inexperience of talking through painful, contentious, volatile issues leaves them unprepared and inadequate for a confrontation of this nature" whilst noting that they "can only appear intellectually inferior to the host, too, with his sharp suit and well-rehearsed confidence". However, Derek Draper writing in "The Guardian" defended the good points of "The Jeremy Kyle Show", mentioning that Kyle "effectively projects himself as a strong father figure, setting boundaries and trying to teach responsibility and restraint" to those on his show.Cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/sep/26/comment.television|title=In defence of talk show 'bear-baiter' Jeremy Kyle|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Guardian]

Parodies

"The Jeremy Kyle Show" has been the subject of parody by at least two BBC comedy shows. In the programme "Dead Ringers", a parody of the show has appeared.Cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2525537.ece|title=The judge, the daytime chat show and a case of ‘human bear-baiting’|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=The Times] Also, in October 2007, the BBC began broadcasting "The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle", a sitcom starring and co-written by Jennifer Saunders. The show makes no reference to Jeremy Kyle, yet it parodies his show and private lifestyle. [cite news
title = "The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle"
publisher = bbc.co.uk
date =
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/viviennevyle
accessdate = 2007-10-06] BBC Saturday morning show TMi did a weekly parody show which involved the same graphics and a similar set although it was renamed to "The Sammy Kyle Show" with Sam Nixon dressing up as Jeremy. This was for celebrities to air their 'differences'.fact|date=January 2008 The show will even be indirectly referenced in an upcoming cartoon series of "Dennis the Menace", on which Dennis appears with his mother on a programme resembling "The Jeremy Kyle Show" in order to discipline him for bad behaviour.Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/arts_entertainment/dennis+the+menace+returns/878387|title=Dennis the Menace returns|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Channel 4 News]

On Boomerang's "My Spy Family", the family go on to "The Jeffrey Smile Show" after Spike discovers his real name may be Marion.

The most recent parody of The Jeremy Kyle Show was to be found in an episode of Grange Hill. In a fantasy sequence, character Alex Pickering hosted his own talk show in which he confronted school bully Chloe Moore for her bullying of a younger pupil.

Recent updates

From September 5th 2008, The Jeremy Kyle Show started using a new logo, with a new intro scene, as well as new on-screen graphics. The change has come after the previous logo had been in use for only 2 years. Other similar television shows such as Jerry Springer have used the same logo for over 8 years in the current era, and 6 years in the Classic Springer era.

External links

*itv.com|id=jeremykyle|title="The Jeremy Kyle Show"
*imdb title|0492430

References