jerry springer opera

Tonight the BBC broadcast the Jerry Springer Show Opera, in spite of the christians outside the studios who have practically been burning crosses in protest. I would like to thank their God that I live in a country which has had the courage to debut such an amazing work of art on national TV.

I admit to tuning into the show because of the controversy. Opera is one of the very few musical forms which I've never really seen the attraction of, and I havn't seen the Springer show in a few years. But I was curious. Maybe it would be a bit like "Rocky Horror", or similar "rock" musical. ("Hair" maybe). Absolutely not.

I can't really think of a good comparison, because I can't really think of a precedent for this. It is very "classicaly" operatic, very dark, but hugely tuneful, and very funny. One sequence has Satan singing the line "Fuck You" to Jesus, making that one line last for about 5 minutes, whilst Jesus is responding "Talk to the hand", (or "stigmata" in this case!) But ultimately the show is very sensitive. It really does explore the human condition BEHIND the freakish "three nipple hillbilly" and "Clan" faces we have all seen fighting on the show (and which occupy the first half of the Opera).

In England this show will (must) tour and tour, and surely the audiences are going to be responding with role play dress and cheers in the same way as they do for "Rocky Horror". I only hope it will go uncut across America, but I fear the "Bible belt" element will simply not understand its underlying themes of reconciliation. And no doubt future DVD versions (and movie) will have to negotiate with censors or hollywood demands for a more famous cast. So see it NOW if you can.

Goodnight.

Seems like a pretty genius idea, if you ask me. I wish I could see some clips.

There is a web site, but I havn't looked at it yet.

I saw this in London, and it is FANTASTIC. It is billed as an opera, I think just because the whole thing is sung ( except for Jerry's role ).

I thought I heard that it would come to America, but I had fears that it would be cut as well. However, if it comes here, I also heard a rumor that Jerry himself might play the lead.

I don't think it would play well on TV here. If it came to Bway, it's a toss-up, I think. If they got Jerry to be in it, it would draw in the tourist crowd ( which is kind of the biggest BWay audience ), so they might cut some of the better stuff for that reason.

But if you are in London, you should definitely try to see this.

This ranks up there with "Nixon in China."

Just one more little bit of info: The lead role (Jerry) in the televised version was played by David Soul. He was excellent.

Yeah! Go Jonz. I ranted about this in my journal the other day.

What particularly annoys me was it's been shown in theatres for a while now, where poeple who have wanted to see it have gone to see it. It's on TV now - so as in the theatre if you don't want to see it, don't!

Makes me glad the BBC is independent.

I watched it. I thought it was crap

Yeah, David Soul is who I saw in London.

Jerry Springer=Art?

I watched it. Amusing but hardly a work of musical genius. The language was a bit gratuitous in places so lost its edge somewhat as time went on, but I'm glad the BBC stood by their principles and didn't let a bunch of narrow-minded bigots prevent its airing.

Can't see this ever been televised in the neocon US of 2005.

the buzz right now is that it will have its US premiere on Broadway later this year.

I went and saw the show in the theatre just before Christmas. It was pretty offensive...which can only be a good thing.

not worth the hype its getting though.