After years of overseeing fisticuffs on his daytime talk show,
Jerry Springer took on a new hosting job in 2007,
becoming the face of "America's Got Talent." But that gig only lasted two seasons. Here's why.
"America's Got Talent" has seen quite a few stars come and go over the years, particularly on the
judging panel, where a whole host of famous faces have sat behind the big red Xs. Sofia Vergara,
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum held down the fort for Season 17 in 2022, but before
that, the likes of Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, Howard Stern, Brandy Norwood,
Mel B, Julianne Hough, and Gabrielle Union served as judges on the NBC talent showcase.
The show has also seen its fair share of hosts since its 2006 debut, with the late Regis
Philbin first helming the series. He only stuck around for a single season. While Nick Cannon,
Tyra Banks, and Terry Crews have all taken on hosting duties since,
Philbin first passed the baton to another TV legend, Jerry Springer,
who fronted the series for Seasons 2 and 3. He brought some of his show's flavor to the series.
"Since you raised the mom as an issue on national television, she has the right to defend herself."
"YEAH!"
Following the Season 3 finale, Springer announced that he would not be returning to the talent show,
blaming a full schedule as the reason for his departure. The host said in a statement,
"These last two seasons, working with everyone associated with the show and
all the extraordinary and talented performers across America, has been an incredibly rewarding
experience for me. This summer, I will be pursuing a wonderful opportunity in
the theatre. That, coupled with my syndicated talk show, leaves my plate more than full."
It seemed like there were no hard feelings. Paul Telegdy,
who was head of Alternative Programming at NBC at the time, said,
"We thank him for his hard work and dedication to the
show and congratulate him on this new endeavor."
Springer didn't totally sever ties with the show, either. Today confirmed in
2009 that he would serve as the host of "America's Got Talent Live" in Las Vegas,
and he also hosted "America's Got Talent Live: The All Stars Tour," which hit 40 cities across
the U.S. Springer returned to "AGT" to promote the tour and praise Nick Cannon on his hosting
duties. The judges even congratulated him on the 25th anniversary of his talk show.
"We love you! Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry Jer-ry!"
When Springer became the new face of "America's Got Talent" in 2007, he admitted that it was
never his plan to do the same thing Philbin did. He said on a conference call at the time,
"You know, Regis is the best there ever was at this business so I'm not even
going to pretend I can fill his shoes. It would be insulting to him and foolish
of me. I'm going to be what I can be as best I can be. But it's going to be me,
it's not Regis. I would never pretend to have his competence."
Springer was clearly pretty excited to join the show, though. He told Variety,
"I've been around some of America's most talented individuals on my talk show,
so I'll feel right at home hosting 'America's Got Talent.'"
Despite hosting "America's Got Talent" for only two seasons,
Springer clearly made some lifelong friends during his time on the NBC
talent search. Following the April 27, 2023, announcement of Springer's death at age 79,
he received an outpouring of love from some of his former co-stars on the show.
Former judge Piers Morgan was one of the first to pay tribute to the
host. He wrote of Springer on Twitter,
"TV icon & such an intelligent, warm, funny man. Loved working with him (on @AGT),
loved hanging out with him (we lived in same hotel for 2yrs),
loved arguing with him (he loved his politics), loved everything about him. Gutting."
Morgan appeared on the show for six seasons, including both of Springer's. David Hasselhoff,
who served on the judging panel alongside Morgan,
also shared a sweet message about the late Springer on Instagram, writing,
"Jerry Springer was a great friend, GREAT. I never thought I would lose a special friend. [...] He
was a terrific, terrific person and I am saddened by his passing. What becomes of a broken heart."