SEARCH

search for something you might like...

"Jerry Springer: The Opera" Comes To London

"Springer: The Opera" has critics moaning in the aisles

by Spanish Pantalones, Editor-at-Large
first published: January, 2005

approximate reading time: minutes

Some estimates suggest David Soul's appearance alone to be responsible for 43,000 complaints

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htzSL4ePs_A

The BBC television debut in the UK of Jerry Springer: The Opera attracting nearly two million of viewers, caused an uproar, and a clearly orchestrated, record number of complaints.

The opera, starring David Soul (yes, that David Soul) as Springer, has been a huge hit in the West End.

The BBC2 broadcast logged 45,000 complaints and BBC2 controller Roly Keating, his wife and their three young children left their house after a Christian group posted his address and telephone number on its website and police concluded that the death threats recieved to be 'credible'.

I didn't see the show, but some estimates suggest David Soul's appearance alone to be responsible for 43,000 complaints.

The remainder concern the swearing 117 variants on the f words. Fuck, fucking, fahk - Umbrage also at a scene in which Jesus appears in a sequined nappy and sings "It ain't easy being me" and engages the devil in a swearing match.

Christian protesters burnt their $225 annual television licences outside the BBC's London offices.

And Jerry Springer? Well he has acknowledged in the past that his only problem with the opera is that he didn't think of it himself.

Spanish Pantalones
Editor-at-Large

As employee #3, Spanish has worked for OUTSIDELEFT in some capacity since day one. As our editor-at-large, Spanish now calls ‘the road’ home, filing articles about the arts, leisure, and culture when the wi-fi works.


about Spanish Pantalones »»

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

A.I. House-Painter, Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Archibald Stanton, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Emily Moore, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Justin Scupine, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lauren Frison, Lee Paul, Lilly Pemberton, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Melanie Surfleet, Michelle Williams, Mickey, Mike Fox, Mike Marino, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone