Editor's note: In 2020, The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, sat down with Jerry Springer for its "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. Springer was quarantining at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic while waiting to record more episodes of "Judge Jerry," his reality court show that aired from 2019-22. After news of Springer's death, we are resurfacing his interview.
Jerry Springer knew television and politics — and the proud liberal couldn't stand Donald Trump.
So how do you get "Judge Jerry" fired up?
Ask Springer whether the networks should be airing Trump's daily coronavirus press conferences.
"There is no excuse now that we know what they're like for just turning on the cameras," Springer told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. "The reporters should be there, and then write their reports or report it on the news that night. But to just turn the cameras on Trump for an hour and a half – that's not journalism. That's technology. I blame the journalists for this now. I could see the first couple of days – or maybe even weeks – doing it."
Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor and one-time Channel 5 anchor, continued: "But now that we see what the routine is – that Trump gets up there and spews his stuff and then finally the doctors get up there and basically refute what he's saying – the public is not being helped."
Stuck at home in Sarasota, Florida, Springer is waiting to return to the NBCUniversal studios in Stamford, Connecticut, to record more episodes of "Judge Jerry," a syndicated court show that debuted last fall.
Springer, 76, also continues to record his weekly "Jerry Springer Podcast" with Greater Cincinnatians Jene Galvin and Maria Carelli via conference call.
In a wide-ranging interview on "That's So Cincinnati," Springer didn't mince words in criticizing Trump and Trump supporters.
Here are more highlights from the discussion.
Obituary:Jerry Springer, controversial daytime talk show host, dies at 79
Flirting with running for Ohio governor in 2018
In 2017, Springer told The Enquirer "I could be Trump without the racism" amid rumors swirling about him running for governor. He opened up more about considering that race.
"I was pretty close (to running) because there were people in the party who were very supportive," Springer said. "I hadn't thought about it in years, and all of a sudden, they send me a poll. I could see why I was in the discussion, simply because I'm well known."
He added: "It wasn't that easy a decision. I'm pretty glib about it now. I had to think: Do I really have the energy? The adrenaline can keep going when you're in a race. But then what if I had won? And now at this age, when I take naps in the afternoon ... I have to be honest: I think I would have the energy, but I don't know that for sure."
Republican governors' responses to the coronavirus
Ohio's Mike DeWine has been lauded worldwide for his proactive and cautious approach to handling the coronavirus. On the other hand, few governors have been more criticized than Florida's Ron DeSantis, who was reluctant to shutdown beaches and was late to issue stay-at-home orders.
Springer offered his assessment of the governors in his former state and current state.
On DeWine: "I may disagree with a lot of his politics, but he's not a crazy person. He's a bright person and he's responding to what is obvious: If we don't have social distancing. If we don't do what the doctors and the scientists are telling us, this thing is going to come back again and destroy the economy for another five years. Yeah, he's Republican but he's a common-sense kind of person. He's going to get a lot of credit and frankly he deserves."
On DeSantis: "Well, you know, he's horrible. He was going to be Trump's boy. Those were his (campaign) commercials. He was going to do whatever Trump said. So what he's doing is not surprising and it's dangerous."
Still loving Cincinnati politics
Springer has long maintained relationships with a handful of Cincinnati Democrats, including City Councilman David Mann and former local party Chairman Tim Burke. He's continued to donate to local candidates in recent years.
Springer and Mann served on City Council in the 1970s. In recent months, Mann has been considering a run for mayor in 2021 and he reached out to Springer for advice.
"I would support David Mann for whatever he ran for because there's no conceivable way David Mann would make an irrational decision," Springer said. "He is like if you ran to your father for advice. Add to his demeanor and his rationality, his intelligence and knowledge and, you know, that's pretty tough to beat.
"My text (to Mann) was, I think I said: "Hell yes!"
Listen to Springer's interview below. He begins at the 20-minute mark in the episode.
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