Page 126 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

CULTURAL CONTEXT

Table 5.1
Jerry Springer, Maury Povich, Montel Williams: Topics and Guests,
March 27–31, 2006
Monday
Jerry Springer: “Love Against The Odds.” Janie was born without hands or feet, but
has beaten the odds! She has fallen in love with Doug and given birth to a beautiful
baby boy. Now, she faces yet another hurdle as Doug, the father of her child, con-
fesses he no longer loves her! Joining Janie today are her estranged parents who
now vow to stand by her and want Doug to leave their daughter alone!
Maury Povich: “Take The Test . . . Shocking Family Sex Secrets.” Maury’s guests
think their lovers are lying and they are here to get answers. Is RJ cheating on his
fiancée? [Is] Judy [sleeping with] one of her cousins? Did Nette’s boyfriend sleep
with their neighbor? Lie detector tests will reveal the truth!
Montel: “Lies Destroying Lives.” Today’s guests thought they were helping people in
need . . . but they were getting scammed.

Tuesday
Jerry Springer: “Update: Love Against The Odds.” Janie, who was born without
hands or feet, is remarkably self-reliant and even has a son! When Janie first ap-
peared on our show, she and her boyfriend, Doug, who is the father of her child,
were having some major relationship problems. Viewers were outraged at Doug’s
harsh words to Janie when they were dating, and wrote in to the show expressing
their disgust! Doug and Janie haven’t seen each other since he left her and their
child 4 months ago. Now, Janie has a new boyfriend and she’s here today to give
Doug a taste of his own medicine.
Maury Povich: “I Was Ugly Back Then . . . Now I’m A Hot, Sexy Ten!” Maury’s
guests were ugly ducklings and wallflowers growing up and were teased endlessly.
Today they are the envy of their friends and now they want to flaunt their stuff to
the people who teased them the most. Watch as they turn their past bullies into
beggars.
Montel: “Family Destroyed By Lies.” Today, three girls who’ve accused their father
of sexual abuse will tell the truth about what really happened.
Wednesday
Jerry Springer: “My Boyfriend Is a Girl.” Monique has been dating Reno for two
months and she says he’s a boyfriend sent from heaven. He’s sweet, sensitive and
treats her like a queen, but Reno has been reluctant to make a real commitment to
her. He’s here today to tell her why—Although Reno looks like a handsome young
man, he’s actually a woman! While Monique is furious that Reno has deceived her
in this way, the story doesn’t end there! To make matters worse, Monique’s room-
mate Tammy and Reno’s brother both knew the truth about Reno and kept it from
her! Today, they’ll reveal why.

Maury Povich: “I Was Only 13, But I Know You’re My Baby’s Daddy.” Today Maury
talks with angry teenage mothers who are struggling to raise babies on their own
because the men they are 100 percent certain are the fathers adamantly deny pa-
ternity. Each side is positive that the paternity test results will prove that they were
right all along. Maury has all of the results. (continued)
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