January 12, 2005 Jerry Springer OperaOrganisation: BBC
Analysis and commentary by Echo Research. This article and further information is at: www.echoResearch.com The BBC's decision to broadcast Jerry Springer - The Opera was always likely to be controversial, given the recent reaction to the play Behzti by the Sikh community in Birmingham. Positively, the show attracted 1.8 million viewers, still less than Match of the Day, but certainly a wider audience than might normally have been expected to watch this "important piece of contemporary musical theatre"(BBC statement, bbc.co.uk, 10/1). Negatively, the play attracted a record number of complaints before transmission, based on its alleged blasphemous content and generous use of expletives. Worse however, was the barrage of vicious calls and threats to BBC executives from angry protestors, "Abusive calls give BBC chiefs a Jerry Springer moment"(Guardian, 10/7). Away from the immediate controversy over the play's 300 swear words and depiction of Jesus and the Devil, the debate really focused on freedom of speech, the Arts, and the threat to Britain's status as a tolerant and democratic society. Most commentators agreed that the angered Christian groups had a right to defend their views, but few were as certain that a moral minority should be able to dictate the BBC's scheduling.
"The simple fact is that no one was compelled to watch … It is time for the tolerant majority in Britain to make its voice heard"(Independent, 11/1).
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