The Jenny Jones Show
The Jenny Jones Show[a] is an American first-run syndicated talk show that was hosted by Jenny Jones. Taped at the NBC Tower in Chicago, the show ran for twelve seasons from September 16, 1991, to May 21, 2003. It was conceived as an alternative to the tabloid talk shows of the early 1990s, and initially followed a traditional talk show format. However, the show reformatted for its second season, in which it shifted its focus to single-topic panel discussions with everyday people. These topics were often sensational, with the guests discussing their varying experiences and viewpoints. These discussions were moderated by Jones, who placed a heavy emphasis on audience interaction. Live musical performances were frequently featured during makeover segments or at other breaks in the show.
The Jenny Jones Show
Just Between Us
- Tom Maguire
- Neil Flagg
United States
English
12
2,252[1]
- David Salzman
- Stuart Crowner (1991–1992)
- Ed Glavin (1992–2000)
- Debby Harwick Glavin (1992–2000)
- Kerrie Moriarity (2000–2003)
42–43 minutes
- Telepictures Productions
- River Tower Productions
- David Salzman Enterprises (1991–1993; 1997-2003)
- Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment (1993–1997)
September 16, 1991 –
May 21, 2003
The Jenny Jones Show was produced by River Tower Productions in association with David Salzman Enterprises and Telepictures Productions, and it was distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. Jim Paratore of Telepictures Productions hoped for the show to replicate the success of Jones's successful comedy act Girls' Night Out. To prepare Jones for her hosting responsibilities, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution scheduled a six-week trial run of the show, titled Just Between Us. The show debuted on 178 television stations nationwide, which was the largest launch in syndicated talk show history. The show initially received mild ratings, although it became one of the highest rated talk shows of the nineties after it reformatted.
The show initially received positive reception from television critics; however, it faced more criticism after it reformatted. Critics praised Jones's personality and humor, although many alleged the show was exploitative. In 1995, the show was subject to a national media frenzy after a guest murdered another guest three days after an episode's taping. The show prevailed in a highly-publicized negligence lawsuit filed by the victim's family, and a national discussion over shock value and tabloid television ensued in the United States. It received two Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards and three Excellence in Media's Silver Angel Awards. The show served as an influence for multiple television shows, films, and musicals, in addition to launching the career of celebrities such as Rude Jude.
Episodes[edit]
The Jenny Jones Show broadcast over 2,000 episodes by the end of its run. On April 11, 1994, hoaxer Alan Abel appeared on an episode titled "Getting Revenge on an Unfaithful Loved One".[61] Under an assumed name, Abel claimed that his wife superglued his penis to his leg after she caught him having an affair.[62] Producers had put the episode on hold for medical verification of Abel's claims, although some television stations accidentally aired the episode.[61]
Broadcast history and release[edit]
The Jenny Jones Show was placed in first-run syndication in the United States, in which it was distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.[6] The show premiered on September 16, 1991, on 178 television stations nationwide, which was the largest launch in syndicated talk show history.[10] After receiving mild ratings, it was heavily speculated that the show would be canceled; however, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution renewed the show for a second season on April 14, 1992, after major stations—specifically WWOR-TV, KNBC-TV, and WMAQ-TV—confirmed that they would continue to carry the show.[63] The show's second season was carried by only 124 television stations.[64] Speculation over the show's cancelation continued into the second season, although it was ultimately renewed for a third season on January 11, 1993.[65] In addition to this renewal, the show shifted its sales terms from an all-barter basis to cash-plus-barter.[65]
As a result of ratings and demographic growth in its third season, The Jenny Jones Show was renewed for a fourth season on December 20, 1993.[66] The show's fourth season premiered on September 12, 1994, and it experienced a surge in ratings. Many television stations also moved the show to more favorable daytime slots, with some pairing it with Ricki Lake.[66] As a result, in early 1995, Jones signed a five-year contract with Warner Bros., which secured five more seasons for the show.[67] The show's sixth season premiered on September 9, 1996, and its 1,000th episode was broadcast on February 26, 1997.[68] The seventh season premiered on September 8, 1997, while the eighth season premiered on September 7, 1998.[69] Season nine premiered on September 6, 1999, and season ten premiered on September 4, 2000.
The Jenny Jones Show was almost canceled at the conclusion of its eleventh season; however, Tribune Broadcasting made a groupwide station deal to carry the show on its 23 stations.[70] These stations covered 38% of the United States, meaning that The Jenny Jones Show now received coverage of more than 85% of the country.[70] On April 15, 2002, the show aired its 2,000th episode.
On January 31, 2003, production staff were informed that the show would conclude with its twelfth season.[37] The show's finale was broadcast on May 21, 2003. Reruns of the show continued throughout the summer, with an unaired episode burned off in August.[71] The show was then replaced by The Sharon Osbourne Show, which premiered on September 15, 2003.[72] The Sharon Osbourne Show recruited former producers of and repurposed materials from the The Jenny Jones Show.[73] Since the conclusion of The Jenny Jones Show, Jones has maintained that she has no interest in returning to television.[74]
The Jenny Jones Show was syndicated worldwide. In the United Kingdom, it was broadcast on Sky One.[75] Episodes were available for individual purchase from Video Archives.[76]
Reception[edit]
Television viewership and ratings[edit]
The show premiered to a ratings share of 2.2/9.[77] The first season averaged a 2 in national ratings, in which it ranked 104th out of 189 shows tracked by Nielsen Media Research.[78] These mild ratings led to speculation that the show would be cancelled and replaced by stations with the then-upcoming talk show Vicki![79]
The show's ratings surged with its fourth season; The Jenny Jones Show averaged a 4.5 rating, in which it became the third most watched talk show of the television season.[80] By February 1995, the show jumped from a 1.9 rating to a 3.1, which was a 63 percent increase from the previous year.[81]
By February 2003, the show's twelfth season had averaged a 1.5 national household rating, which was a 21 percent decline from its previous season and a 70 percent decline from its peak.[37][82] The show was ranked 104th among all syndicated shows, and averaged a 0.9 among adults 18-49.[37]
Critical response[edit]
The Jenny Jones Show received generally positive reception upon its premiere. Television critics praised Jones's personality and humor, although the show's topics were criticized for lacking substance. Laurence Vittes of The Hollywood Reporter stated that "Jones' charm and the warmth and intelligence of the Chicago audience made a very pleasing first impression."[2] Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune praised the show's viewer-friendly nature, in which he claimed that "Jones hits TV in full—likable and capable—stride."[29] Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times praised the show as the best new daytime talk program of 1991. He commented: "There is no one funnier or fresher in daytime [than Jones]."[83] Jefferson Graham of USA Today positively compared the show to The Oprah Winfrey Show, in which he praised Jones' "upbeat" commentary.[84]
The Jenny Jones Show began to face more criticism in its fourth season, following the murder of Scott Amedure. According to Jim Benson of Variety, the situation was "the worst PR for the [talk show] genre since the 1990 suicide of a guest who had appeared on King World's Oprah Winfrey."[85]
In 2002, Philip Kennicott of The Washington Post claimed the show was "in a constant flux between the embarrassingly earnest and the completely scabrous."[51]
Litigation[edit]
In 1992, The Jenny Jones Show aired an episode titled "His Bachelor Party Ruined Our Marriage", which featured two married couples whose relationships had suffered due to the husbands having topless dancers perform at their bachelor parties. Photographs of the topless dancers, Nancy Diem and April Fronning, were shown during the episode. Diem and Fronning sued The Jenny Jones Show for invasion of privacy; however, the court ultimately ruled in favor of the show.[98]
On March 6, 1995, the show taped an episode where guests were invited to meet their same-sex secret admirers. Three days after the episode's taping, one of the guests, Jonathan Schmitz, killed his secret admirer, Scott Amedure. As a result, the episode was shelved and Schmitz was charged with first-degree murder.[99] In August 1995, Amedure's family filed a civil lawsuit against The Jenny Jones Show, Warner Bros., and Telepictures Productions.[24]
Bibliography