Netflix's Jerry Springer doc exposes biggest scandals from murder to animal marriage

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action - Official trailer

*Warning - This article contains spoilers for Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action.*

Netflix's latest offering, Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, is set to take viewers on a wild journey as it uncovers the dark secrets of the infamous 90s talk show. The documentary pulls no punches, even attributing the birth of 'trash TV' to the controversial chat show hosted by the late Jerry Springer.

The synopsis teases: "Jaw-dropping documentary goes behind the scenes of America's most controversial talk show to expose its biggest scandals, both on- and off-camera."

The two-part docuseries features shocking footage from a banned episode about a man marrying a horse, violent on-air brawls resulting in serious injuries, and the tragic circumstances surrounding the murder of a guest on the show.

The Netflix production also includes interviews with key figures involved in the creation of the show, including the formidable Richard Dominick, who produced the divisive programme, reports the Daily Star.

The Jerry Springer Show was famous for its fights (Image: GETTY) Man who married a horse

The Jerry Springer Show, which aired from 1991 to 2018, was notorious for its controversial guests, ranging from adulterers and Nazi sympathisers to sexual abusers. However, one of the most shocking episodes ever produced was the 1998 instalment titled 'I Married a Horse'.

One episode of The Jerry Springer Show took a shocking twist when Jerry introduced a guest named Mark, who shockingly confessed to leaving his family for a Shetland pony. The studio audience was left in disbelief as Mark proceeded to kiss the pony on stage.

Moreover, Mark revealed he considered the pony, named Pixel, his wife and astonishingly admitted to having sexual relations with the animal. This revelation triggered widespread disgust among the viewers, leading to the episode being pulled from the airwaves permanently.

Discussing the scandalous segment, Chicago media critic Robert Feder commented on its infamy in the Netflix documentary, saying: "To have a guy on who had married a horse, who was kissing a horse on stage, this was the most vile and grotesque freak show that's ever been on television."

Jerry Springer became one of America's most famous talk show hosts (Image: GETTY) Show guest tragically murdered

A grim chapter was uncovered in the Netflix documentary detail the tragic fate of Nancy Campbell. Her murder cast a somber shadow, as it was recounted how she was found dead at a Sarasota property.

In the year 2000, Nancy had appeared on The Jerry Springer Show alongside her former husband, Ralf Panitz, and his then-partner Eleanor. An on-air conflict ignited when they accused Nancy of "stalking" them - allegations she fiercely refuted.

Amidst the tumult, Nancy contended that Ralf had made 'false' promises of abandoning Eleanor to rekindle their relationship. Upon learning of their ongoing marriage, an overwhelmed Nancy withdrew from the set, visibly upset.

Only hours after the episode's broadcast, Nancy's body was discovered, bearing brutal injuries that left her loved ones shattered.

Ralf and Eleanor attempted to make a getaway but were ultimately apprehended by law enforcement. Ralf was convicted of second-degree murder, earning him a life sentence behind bars.

When quizzed about Nancy's appearance on the show, host Jerry Springer vehemently denied any link between her tragic demise and her stint on the programme.

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On-stage brawls and grisly injuries

In the Netflix documentary, former production crew members and backstage personnel referenced the fierce altercations that unfolded during the show's taping.

Contestants would allegedly be provoked and whipped into a frenzy before taking the stage, often sparking violent clashes.

According to the documentary, some show participants suffered injuries severe enough to require a trip to the hospital.

While the show faced allegations of fabricating these on-screen scuffles, staff maintained throughout the documentary that they were "all real" and "not scripted".

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action is available to stream now, exclusively on Netflix.