Jerry Springer show’s most outrageous moments: Sex with 300 men in 24 hours, bestiality and a trans woman who cut off her own legs with a chainsaw… as documentary revisits its dark side

From incest and infidelity to maiming and bestiality, the Jerry Springer Show never shied away from controversial topics.

The popular daytime show, which ran for 27 years and almost 4,000 episodes, was known for its outrageous moments. It aired shocking stories, like a guest who cut off their own legs with a saw and a woman who claimed to break a sex record. In the 90s, the show even beat Oprah Winfrey’s ratings in some cities.

Springer, a former Cincinnati mayor who died in April 2023, referred to the show as “escapist entertainment,” though some said it contributed to a decline in American social values. On his social media, he joked that he was the “ringmaster of civilization’s end.”

Now, Netflix is releasing a documentary called Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, premiering January 7. It will dive into the show’s rise, the drama behind the scenes, and the negative impact it had. The documentary features testimony from insiders, including producers and former guests, sharing the consequences of the show.

One of the most bizarre moments was in 2006, when a transgender guest, Sandra, shared her decision to cut off both of her legs with a saw. She explained that since she was 14, her brain told her to get rid of them. Critics said Springer was exploiting a vulnerable person.

In 1997, adult film actress Jasmin St. Claire appeared on the show to discuss how she had sex with 300 men in 24 hours, breaking a world record. She later thanked Jerry for giving her a platform that helped her become famous.

In 1998, a man named Mark shocked the audience by revealing he had married a horse, Pixel. The couple had been together for 10 years.

Other shocking moments included Earl Zea, who cut off his genitals in 1997, and a violent episode involving the Ku Klux Klan and the Jewish Defense League.

There was also a tragic incident in 2000 when a man who appeared on the show killed his ex-wife shortly after filming. The show’s influence sparked lawsuits, showing how dangerous it could be.

Jerry Springer’s legacy is complicated, as his show both entertained and caused controversy, leaving a lasting mark on pop culture.