The Jenny Jones Show

The Jenny Jones Show 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 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.

Format
The Jenny Jones Show is an hour-long weekday talk show that was hosted by television presenter Jenny Jones. The show prominently featured standup and guest interviews, with a heavy emphasis on audience interaction. The show was initially formatted as a traditional talk show, where it focused on several topics per episode, primarily in the realm of human-interest stories. Jones frequently hosted how-to and expert advice segments, in addition to a series of recurring segments. These segments included Purse Check, where Jones gave $100 to whoever could produce a specified item from their purse first; Jenny's Male Bag, where male viewers shared their pet peeves; Jenny's Baby Book, where viewers sent in their baby photos to be shared on the show; and Take a Bow, which highlighted a person who had done something special for their local community.

Upon its second season, the show reformatted into a tabloid talk show. Most episodes now focused on a single topic, often sensational in nature, that was discussed among a panel of everyday people. In a typical episode, the guests, usually in pairs, were seated on a stage situated in front of a studio audience. The guests discussed their personal experiences, which often involved some type of relational transgression. Jones moderated these discussions, in which she asked the guests questions or offered advice. During these discussions, Jones walked throughout the studio audience and periodically handed off her microphone to audience members to make additional comments. These audience members generally offered further advice or even expressed disapproval of the guests. The show also invited various musicians to perform during breaks in the show.

Conception and development
In 1986, Jones became the first woman to win the comedy category of Star Search, which boosted her career as a stand-up comedian. Following Star Search, Jones served as a supporting act for other performers, such as Dionne Warwick and Engelbert Humperdinck. Jones's performances received positive reception from audiences, which inspired her to develop her own comedy show, Girls' Night Out. Promoted as a show for women only, Girls' Night Out was a commercial success and it received wide coverage by the news media. Following a story by 20/20, Jones received various offers for sitcoms, gameshows, news programs, and commercials. Jim Paratore, senior vice president of Telepictures Productions, offered Jones her own talk show, as he believed that audiences would find her relatable. Jones enthusiastically accepted the offer, stating, "I always wanted to do a talk show, but I just figured no one would let me have one."

The Jenny Jones Show was initially conceived as an alternative to the sensational tabloid talk shows that aired in the early 1990s. According to executive producer David Salzman, the studio wanted to replicate the formula of Girls' Night Out, in which Jones would "tell jokes, sing comic songs and discuss casual topics, always leaving time for the crowd to air a few pet peeves." Jones further described her vision of the show as "part pajama party, part group therapy, part Oprah." A production staff of approximately 60 people were hired for the show, several of whom had previously worked for The Oprah Winfrey Show. According to Jones, she attended a taping of The Phil Donahue Show in preparation for the taping of the pilot. The pilot was taped at WTTW-TV's studio in the summer of 1990, and it was produced by Bonnie Kaplan. Jones stated that three shows were taped over two days, which were then edited together to form the pilot.

To further prepare Jones for her hosting responsibilities, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution scheduled a trial run of the show titled Just Between Us, which aired from April 15 to May 24, 1991. The trial run was tested on KVVU-TV in Las Vegas—an unmetered market—which allowed Jones to gain experience and for producers to fine-tune the show without concern for overnight ratings. The trial run episodes included interviews with celebrities such as Phyllis Diller, Rip Taylor, and Kenny Kerr. Following the end of each taping, audience members filled out questionnaires about their reaction to the show and suggestions for topics. Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution had not used this strategy before, although the studio wanted the show to premiere as "the best product we can put on the air". Following this trial run, the show's production relocated to Chicago, where it was taped in WMAQ-TV's Studio A at the NBC Tower.

Topic selection
Topic selection was primarily the responsibility of the show's producers, who relied on news stories, suggestions by viewers, and their own experiences. The producers typically presented Jones with an episode's topic the night before it was taped, in which they provided her with a folder of background information on the guests and a loose script to follow. However, Jones claimed that she was "fairly vocal" about the types of topics she was comfortable with discussing on the show and she often revised the scripts. While Jones was not charged with any production responsibilities, she chose to become more involved as the show progressed. She commented: "By the second or third year, I fought and fought for the right to participate, and I finally got it ... I renegotiated for the right to be involved in every aspect of the show, and I am, except booking [guests]."

Original format
The show initially focused on several topics per episode, often alternating between heavy and light subject matters. Giovanna Breu of People summarized the show's typical content as "sex, divorce[,] and dieting", while Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune described it as "viewer-friendly fluff". The show's premiere featured discussions about eating, in which the audience was provided cake, and an interview with a pet expert who brought puppies and cats. Subsequent episodes featured interviews and segments such as the secrets of soap-opera actors, a boy who is allergic to everything, a woman whose husband fled the country with all her money, and a female photographer for Playgirl. Jones attempted to distance the show from the tabloid talk show subgenre, stating, "[The show is] not for people who are looking for the sensational tabloid stuff. We will still do serious topics, but we will do them with a smile."



On February 27, 1992, a single-topic episode was broadcast where Jones revealed that she had suffered complications from silicone breast implants for the past eleven years. Jones, whose implants ruptured in December 1991, was inspired to share her experience after an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration recommended that silicone breast implants be severely restricted for cosmetic use due to health concerns. The highly publicized episode marked a turning point for the show; it inspired the producers—who believed the show was in need of a "content transplant"—to shift their focus to "more serious topics". Executive producer Stuart Crowner was replaced with Ed Glavin and Debbie Harwick Glavin, former producers of The Phil Donahue Show. The duo planned to focus more on relationships rather than comedy and entertainment.

Reformat
According to Glavin, "it was sink or swim, so we went all out [with the topics]". The show's second season featured more sensational topics, such as "I Hate My Father for Marrying a Black Woman", "My Stepfather Is Now My Lover", and "Pregnant Women Who Cheat".

Some television critics alleged that the show softened its content in response to the 1995 murder of Scott Amedure; however, Jones claimed that it is "the same kind of show ... We haven't changed a thing." The show continued to feature topics such as paternity tests, secret crushes, neighborly disputes, and unruly teenagers. One of the show's most common topics was makeovers, which dubbed the phrase a "Jenny Jones Makeover".

An episode's topic was often reflected through exaggerated episode titles, such as "I Look Too Fly! That Must Be Why I Can't Get a Guy!", "Is She All Natural and Fantastic or ... Just Fake and Plastic?", and "I Flash My Body 'Cuz I'm the Next 'Girls Gone Wild' Hottie!"

Guest and audience recruitment
The Jenny Jones Show recruited guests through posted notices in the middle of episodes—known as carts—which provided viewers with upcoming show topics and the show's phone number. For example, a 2002 episode was promoted with a cart, stating, "If your daughter is 11-14 and you want DNA to determine who fathered her baby, call this number". Each cart received anywhere from 10 to 200 responses, and the show booked approximately 3,000 guests per year. According to one producer, the show sought guests who had socially relevant stories that could inform viewers. Jones claimed that she related to many of the guests' experiences, further stating that the guests were "representative of a lot of other people in the country and their problems." The show did not pay guests for their appearance; however, guests were reimbursed for air fare, hotel rooms, meals, and sometimes lost wages.

It was a priority among producers to only air authentic stories, with all guests undergoing comprehensive screening procedures. Prior to their appearance on the show, all guests were required to provide production staff with their Social Security numbers and photo identification, in addition to signing an agreement affirming that their stories were authentic. Guests who were minors were required to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who had to provide written proof of guardianship to the producers. According to Jones, the show also "check[ed] divorce records, hospital records, police reports, anything that will help us." In addition to this screening process, microphones were placed in the green room so that producers could monitor guest conversations. Several segments were scrapped after guests inadvertently revealed that they fabricated their story to appear on the show, with the show even considering legal action in one instance.

To attend as an audience member, a person could call the show to request tickets. Tickets did not require any purchase, rather they were issued based on availability. The show recommended that those interested in attending a taping request tickets at least six weeks in advance. In addition to these advance reservations, audience members agreed to a two-hour time commitment. Audience members were mailed a sheet of paper that included arrival instructions and restrictions on apparel, in addition to notice that they would be required to go through a metal detector prior to being seated. Those that spoke during a taping were sometimes issued a "VIP" ticket, in which the audience member was immediately reseated in a more accessible area so that they may speak again. Jones believed that the audience, similar to the guests, were "a great cross section of America".

In 1998, the show began to feature a series of recurring guests. Raymond Moses, a drill sergeant who operated the About Face Boot Camp, frequently appeared in episodes about boot camp for troubled teenagers. Rude Jude appeared in indiscriminate episodes to roast guests and audience members. Roy "Tornado Big Daddy Woo-Woo" Little often appeared to provide comic relief and model Valeria Mikita made regular appearances in segments. According to Jude, the show paid him approximately $300 per appearance.

Music performances
The Jenny Jones Show often featured live music performances during makeover segments or at other breaks in the show. These performances became a common fixture of the show after it launched a "Local Band Search" in 1996. Producers invited developing artists to send the show a VHS tape of them performing, with producers then reaching out to the artists they were interested in. According to music supervisor Fernita Wynn, the show sought "what's young, hot, and hip [in music] ... [w]e'll book just about anyone, if people around the office like them." In 2001, the show formed a partnership with Billboard Talent Net, in which unsigned and developing artists were given the opportunity to perform on the show. The show gave a daytime platform to a variety of artists, such as Usher, Ludacris, Nelly, and Three 6 Mafia.

Brett Wright, vice president of marketing and music development for RCA Records, claimed the show offered a forum for many developing R&B acts.

The show's theme songs were composed by Jones, who had previous music experience as the drummer of a rock band and back-up singer for Wayne Newton.

With its third season, the show returned with a new theme song written by Jones.

Episodes
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". Under an assumed name, Abel claimed that his wife superglued his penis to his leg after she caught him having an affair. Producers had put the episode on hold for medical verification of Abel's claims, although some television stations accidentally aired the episode.

Broadcast history and release
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. The show premiered on September 16, 1991, on 178 television stations nationwide, which was the largest launch in syndicated talk show history. 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. The show's second season was carried by only 124 television stations. Speculation over the show's cancelation continued into the second season, although it was ultimately renewed for a third season on January 11, 1993. In addition to this renewal, the show shifted its sales terms from an all-barter basis to cash-plus-barter.

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. 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. As a result, in early 1995, Jones signed a five-year contract with Warner Bros., which secured five more seasons for the show. The show's sixth season premiered on September 9, 1996, and its 1,000th episode was broadcast on February 26, 1997. The seventh season premiered on September 8, 1997, while the eighth season premiered on September 7, 1998. 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. These stations covered 38% of the United States, meaning that The Jenny Jones Show now received coverage of more than 85% of the country. 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. 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. The show was then replaced by The Sharon Osbourne Show, which premiered on September 15, 2003. The Sharon Osbourne Show recruited former producers of and repurposed materials from The Jenny Jones Show. Since the conclusion of The Jenny Jones Show, Jones has maintained that she has no interest in returning to television.

The Jenny Jones Show was syndicated worldwide. In the United Kingdom, it was broadcast on Sky One. Episodes were available for individual purchase from Video Archives.

Television viewership and ratings
The show premiered to a ratings share of 2.2/9. The first season averaged a 2 in national ratings, in which it ranked 104th out of 189 shows tracked by Nielsen Media Research. These mild ratings led to speculation that the show would be cancelled and replaced by stations with the then-upcoming talk show Vicki!

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. 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.

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. The show was ranked 104th among all syndicated shows, and averaged a 0.9 among adults 18-49.

Critical response
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." 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." 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]." Jefferson Graham of USA Today positively compared the show to The Oprah Winfrey Show, in which he praised Jones' "upbeat" commentary.

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."

In 2002, Philip Kennicott of The Washington Post claimed the show was "in a constant flux between the embarrassingly earnest and the completely scabrous."

Cultural impact
The Jenny Jones Show is credited with popularizing the use of paternity tests and makeovers in talk shows, which became standards of the genre. The show's penchant for makeovers has been referenced in songs, such as "No Pigeons" by Sporty Thievz. Additionally, Ryan Murphy credited the show's makeover episodes as a major influence in the creation of the television series Nip/Tuck.

The series inspired the production of various films, television series, plays, and songs. The films Talk to Me and Murder Live! were heavily inspired by The Jenny Jones Show. The producers of Night Stand with Dick Dietrick were inspired by The Jenny Jones Show. The play Sleeping with Straight Men was based on an episode of The Jenny Jones Show. Additionally, the show was prominently featured in the series finale of Doogie Howser, M.D.

Retta claimed the show helped to launch her career.

Litigation
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.

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. In August 1995, Amedure's family filed a civil lawsuit against The Jenny Jones Show, Warner Bros., and Telepictures Productions.