I've watched it, I've been an audience member, and I've met him and shook hands with the man. He's a nice guy, who in his own words was asked to do the show by NBC. He had been with Chicago PD, Springer's security on the show and personal body guard.
He said this offer was his ticket out of dealing with criminals for low department salaries with the danger of being killed. Who wouldn't want a paycheck that's 10 times what he was making to show up for work two days a week to tape a show?
The people on his show are real people, they fly out, bus them in, put them up in hotels, and then they go back home. They are not actors, but, being in the audience, you do see things that aren't exactly staged by him or producers, but by the individuals looking for a free trip and a nice stay in a hotel.
Basically, and I just witnessed it this Tuesday, a woman had accused several men of being her babies father, but instead of having all the men show up, she accuses one, who she likely knows isn't the father, so she can come back again with someone who either might or might not be the father. A repeat customer, but not an actress or fake. She is however using the show to get more airtime.
As someone else stated, they do actually help many people in molestation cases. This at least allows parents to decide to press charges on anyone dumb enough to think they are clearing their name, and thinking they can outsmart the polygraph. Those are the shows that are best as far as offering help, or proving that an upset ex spouse is fabricating malicious lies against an ex.
If it's not your cup of tea, well, it's just not. I stopped watching Springer a while ago because all the guest just seem like attention whores living in section 8 looking to get out for a night, or strippers trying to get more people to see them at the club and drumming up business.
reply
share
wqxyzcj
8 years ago
He doesn't help the victims of molestation. Since most of the suspects appear on his show before they are convicted, if they are ever formaly charged, their lawyer can claim that the fair trial would be impossible or that it is all a product of a media hysteria or a desire for fame. And although no child appears or is named on the show, since his parents, relatives, abuser etc. do, many affiliated with at least one of those people can make a connection. Their secret is then out for everyone to know. And lie detector results aren't admissible in court. There are reasons why the identities of sex abuse victims, especially underage ones, are kept a secret. This guy exploits the people's sufferings for his own gain.
reply
share
NotForMeThanks
8 years ago
The thing is that the polygraph isn't something that truly proves or disproves whether a person is lying or not. So I don't see how this show helps anyone just by the polygraph results.
I haven't watched this show in years but I jus watched an episode the other day and he said the polygraph results are VERY accurate. I find that to be horse sh!t. As other posters have stated, there's a reason polygraphs aren't admissible in court so for him to make that claim is downright irresponsible.
I also find the poster who said there's a reason for victim's names being held back and that being on this show, the victims are being exploited because their identities are brought out for the world to see, to be making a good point.
reply
share
namaGemo
8 years ago
One element you are not mentioning is that AFTER the polygraph, whether you find them conclusive, is that many times he'll get people to confess to the crime, or parts of it. This is important, because IF you don't believe in the tests, the admission by the perpetrator now had some weight.
Again, the polygraph is a tool that measures physical human responses. The accuracy in reading is still in the hands of the tester to read them right.
reply
share