Ringmaster (1998) User Reviews

Even if you're a Springer fan, skip this boring, lifeless piece of crap

[mattymatt4ever · 3/10 · 16 July 2001]

I'm not a regular viewer of Springer's, but I do watch his show in glimpses and I think the show is a fine guilty pleasure and a good way to kill some time. So naturally, I'm going to watch this movie expecting to see "Jerry Springer Uncensored." First of all, Jerry appears in approximately twenty minutes of the film's running time. The other hour and twenty minutes is spent building up this pseudo-farce about trailer-trash, jealousy, incest and deception. Jaime Pressley (who looks hot as HELLLL) is a trailer-trash slut who sleeps with her stepfather (a very unusual-looking, chain-smoking, drunken Michael Dudikoff who finally strays from his action hero persona). The mom finds out about the affair, they get into a fight, they want to take it to the "Jerry" show (that's right, no Springer). And then we have a parallel story with an African-American couple. They take it to the "Jerry" show. The characters collide. Blah, blah, freakin' blah! Trash has rarely been this BORRRINGG!!!! I was wondering why the hell Springer has millions of fans, yet none of them checked out his movie. Well, now it's TOTALLY obvious!! Whether you love him or hate him, you will hate this movie! How can I explain? It's a total mess of a motion picture (if that's what you call it). It's so badly edited, with scenes that just don't connect, and after a period of time the plot virtually disappears and it's simply all over the map! Just imagine a predictable soap opera transformed into a comic farce. With seldom laughs.

My only positive note is a hot girl-girl scene. That's as risque as it gets. Don't get me wrong, the scene's pretty risque, but if you look at the overall film comparing it to the material on Springer's program--this disastrous farce seems extremely sanitized.

My score: 3 (out of 10)

Not horrible, but certainly not good

[Tito-8 · 4/10 · 6 October 1999]

This wasn't the major disaster that I was expecting, but that is about as positive as I can be in my description of the movie. I'm not sure what was meant to be funny about this movie, but I suppose it's all a matter of taste. Personally, I don't find it funny to watch morons living their idiotic lives or making fools of themselves on television, but then again, I'm not a fan of Jerry Springer's pathetic daytime talk show. I didn't get too bored watching this, but I was definitely never enjoying it, either. If you're in the mood to see a bad movie, but one that isn't too painful to sit through, this is a good choice.

Trashy comedy knocks itself out of the ring

[emm · 2/10 · 18 December 1999]

You don't need to write a script for this trashed outrage! You just sit back and watch a pair of moonshine women and guests duke each other out before a riotous audience exposure at "The Jerry Show"! Violent and obnoxious, this cash-in on the real Jerry Springer program reveals everything that the over-rated hyped talk show doesn't show to you on the air - - unless you have a collection of uncensored videos made by the producers of "Cops". Even the outside world of Springerland reveals the most amateurish acting of the decade! This goes to show you that THE GONG SHOW MOVIE had a central character in a motion picture turkey. Change the channel! REJECTED

Like the TV show, only dumber.

[Space_Bitch · 1/10 · 14 June 2005]

Somebody could probably make a great documentary about the Jerry Springer Show, but this fictionalized version merely succeeds in draining anything authentic and interesting out of the trash-TV phenomenon. There are dozens of famously bad movies (e.g. "Manos: The Hands of Fate") that show more creativity and spirit than this dreary, witless waste of film.

Seriously, why not a documentary about the Jerry Springer Show, that would begin to answer some of the real questions like: Who are these people? What happens to their lives after they appear on this show? How did the mayor of Cincinatti find himself here?

One good line: During an "orientation" session for guests: "People, I can't emphasize this enough: NO WEAPONS!"

Justification of trash culture, the odd laugh, a few interesting moments and a load of titillation does not a film make

[bob the moo · 19 July 2004]

Jerry Farrelly runs a successful television chat show that revels in unusual relationships – but even he is left flabbergasted by some of the issues that come onto his show. While he tries to explain the popularity of his show, several groups of guest arrive for his newest show. Angel lives in a trailer with her mother and stepfather – but is sleeping with him! When her mother Connie finds out she gives Angel's boyfriend a blowjob in revenge. Meanwhile Starletta catches boyfriend Demond sleeping with both Vonda and Leshawnetta. The natural step for both groups is to appear on Jerry's show – even if it makes the conflict greater.

I started watching this film once but didn't review it because I gave it up as a bad job once it turned into nudity for nudity's sake, however I decided that I'd give it another try despite my better judgment. Of course, it is not any good but this is not to say that it was one of the worst films ever made because it wasn't. The plot focuses around two sets of trash that emulate the guests on Jerry's real show and this is part of the problem. The characters here seem to revel in ignorance and trashiness and it makes it hard to really care about any of them. This isn't helped by the fact that they have no real story to speak of – their bits are set up and then they all flirt/fight in the hotel on their way to the recording of the show.

Not enough happens to justify a 'story' so called so it resorts to 'sexy' clinches, fighting and vulgarity.

It is a shame because the film does have a few interesting moments – although you wouldn't think it from the reviewers on this site. One interesting point is the character of Connie; she is damaged and hurt and wants more than the vulgarity she has – but when the fighting and swearing happens, this interesting part of the character is forgotten aside from a few all too rare sensitive moments. The film has a few interesting lines about the show but it doesn't throw itself open enough, instead it uses its platform to defend itself and attack its critics; I don't mind it doing this but there was no balanced view to be had here – although it is hard to disagree with Jerry's speech near the end that defends the fact that people are like this…even if we don't like it. Parts of it are a little funny but this, and some other qualities are just lost in a plotless film that is vulgar rather than interesting and noisy rather than really funny.

The cast are average as you would expect from the material they are given. Hagan manages to create a few good moments but she is betrayed by the film for her good work. Pressly is very sexy – even as white trailer trash! She doesn't have much to do apart from be sexy, so it is just as well that she does it well. Robinson, Ambrose and Micheaux have all done some good jobs in other films/shows but here they are loud, brash black stereotypes and they embarrass themselves. Why action star White bothered to do this is beyond me, he has nothing to do apart from flirt around and get to kiss a couple of girls. McNamara is pretty good and sends himself and the show up equally well. Springer is so-so and he overdoes the 'world-weary' thing and never lets interesting moments, where he seems bothered, go anywhere of value. Like the material itself, the cast throw up some OK moments but these are lost in a sea of bad stuff.

Overall this is a bad film although it has moments that show it could have been more interesting (if not actually good per se). However, without a decent plot the interesting ideas/moments only occasionally float to the top by chance but the dominant qualities are ones of vulgarity, cheap titillation, fighting and ignorance – none of which are reason enough to watch it.

I've seen better film on teeth.

[Jimmy-42 · 1/10 · 17 November 1998]

I can't quite say that "Jerry Springer:Ringmaster" is the worst film I have ever seen. The film would be better off if it were, because at least the worst film I've ever seen, (Prom Night II) interested me enough for me to hate it. My only reaction after leaving the theatre happened when I looked up at the clock and discovered that only 90 minutes had passed. It had seemed much more like years. It is an endless repetition of poor people, (or what Jerry Springer seems to believe poor people are), screwing each other, hitting each other, insulting each other, and then repeating the process with the same attention to duty the rest of us use when shampooing. The plot, which covers how a group of stupid people mangle their lives badly enough to provide grist for the Jerry Springer mill, advances solely because of the idiocy of the characters. This makes it impossible to care what happens to them. It never mattered to me whether they got on the show, or what they said, or who slept with whom. Maybe I'm not supposed to care about them. Maybe I'm supposed to look at them as some kind of comic type-- to see their outrageous behavior as inherently funny. Too bad it isn't. The humor is not outrageous. It's innocuous. It's predictable. Humor has to have something behind it, some kind of painful irony or life experience, in order to function. Scatology is not wit. An example. A mother catches her daughter and her husband in bed. To take revenge she marches across the trailer park and gives oral sex to her daughter's boyfriend. Since I was over the shock of Jerry Springer's show a long time ago, I had the same reaction I had to Andrew Dice Clay's obscene nursery rhymes; not laughter, just yawning. Lastly, I found Springer's pose as a populist tiresome and unconvincing. If he really were an advocate of the poor, he would bring on a single mom from Bed-Sty to talk about trying to raise her kids in New York City on $12,000 a year. Or, failing that, he would at least give the participants of his shows a cut of his profits. Jerry Springer gets millions for his shows, his movie, his book and videos. His guests just get round trip air fare, hotel accommodations, and a chance to humiliate themselves. If he liked poor people so much, he'd give them at least some of the money they earn for him. It appears that Springer wanted to make this movie to grab some legitimacy for himself. Jeez, with all his fine work, you'd think he'd have earned our respect already. Anyway, the film is weak and boring. It doesn't even succeed at being offensive. If you want to have a better evening, videotape a bug zapper for a night and then watch that.

Nauseating

[culwin · 1/10 · 21 October 2000]

The only thing that kept me from vomiting after seeing this movie was the fact that these are just actors and not the freak show that usually appears on the TV show. This is also the main reason that fans of the TV show won't like the movie, but not the only reason. This movie has about as much entertainment value as getting a root canal. It approaches the abyssmal depths of bad movie making, and then gets even worse. I won't waste your time describing this movie in further detail; suffice it to say that I pity the poor camera people who had to suffer through watching this c**p the first time.

The Depravity of Modern Man

[SMGLover · 1/10 · 28 November 1998]

To preface this review, I must say that I was, I suppose, a little curious about this movie.. However, I probably would not have seen it had I not had my arm slightly twisted.

In my opinion, this movie shows just how depraved man can be. In my eyes, the worst thing about this whole Springer phenomenon is not that type of people on the "Jerry Springer Show" act as they do (which in itself is eminently reproachable), but that many people are so curious and excited to watch them and hear about their lives (yes, I suppose that includes me.. to whatever extent it is true). If not glorifying that kind of behavior (as some might say) at the very least we may be subtly corrupting our minds and/or desenstizing ourselves to this type of behavior.

But enough soapbox (sort of). Here's the skinny: the movie has an R rating, and while it may deserve only that (I did look away at some scenes, so I'm not completely sure), I feel that an NC-17 (tip of the hat to the other reviewer) might be a little more appropriate for the immense sexual content (a cynic might comment that the movie was just one big excuse to show sex on the big screen). The plot is very bizarre, tying together the stories of an absolutely dysfunctional family and a group of stereotypical blacks upset who will appear on different Springer shows. At the end, the movie leaves one with some resolvement- and Springer rhetoric about the need for us to see the real world (evidently as seen through his show). I agree with him there- it is important to know how the world really is so that we can seek to effect positive change. Having said that, let me just tell you- the world's pretty bad- glance in a newpaper or the news to see that, but let's not shell out good money to support the kind of sensationalistic and perhaps formulaic titallition that Springer seeks to give us.

I can't believe I paid for this...

[Caine-2 · 1/10 · 26 November 1998]

Ok, let me say that I didn't expect a film starring Jerry Springer to be cinematic gold, all I asked for was it to be cinematic...and it wasn't even that. It looked like someone's bad home movies. Poorly acted, scripted, and filled to the brim with nudity of the most unnattractive people I've ever seen.

The film's "plot" focuses on a low-class family who decide to go on the "Jerry Farrelly Show" to discuss multiple affairs between a mother, daughter, stepfather and the daughter's fiancee. From there, the movie fizzles and develops into a unique experience: white-trash pornography. There's redneck sex, interacial sex, even sex between Jerry and his wife? (Yuk!) This film encouraged me to want to run out of the theater and get a second circumcision. At least it was mercifully short. Disgusting and degrading. African-Americans and working class America should be offended. (Howard Stern should be pleased however, he didn't squander his attempt for film stardom. His was smart, funny and entertaining)

MY GRADE: F+ (the daughter was hot)

White Trash America, Here is Your Citizen Kane

[CSM126-1 · 1/10 · 20 September 2005]

I think that, deep down in the darkest, slimiest part of their heart, everyone likes Jerry Springer just a little bit. While his show is undeniably offensive and stupid, it also gives us a chance to see that, relatively speaking, most of us have it real good. When you look at the trailer park livin', dollar whiskey drinkin', incest lovin' people on the Springer show, it makes even your worst day seem like a walk in the park. Jerry is performing a public service, and we should be grateful. He ditched a political career to host the show, just for us.

What we should not be grateful for in any way is the piece of garbage movie "Ringmaster". "Ringmaster" shows what life is like for people who wind up being guests on the show, or so they would like us to think. The movie follows the pre-requisite Springer story line: Love triangles. One triangle involves Connie, her daughter Angel, and her husband Rusty. The other involves Starletta, Vonda, and Demond. When the two hapless groups meet up in LA, their lives intertwine and collide head-on, all culminating in an explosive episode of the Springer show. It's like what "Short Cuts" would be if Robert Altman had had a severe crack habit.

"Ringmaster" is true to the show, as it is stupid and offensive from start to finish. It also makes me very glad that I don't live in the squalor it's characters do. But the movie has a problem. It's billed as a comedy, but it just isn't very funny. What laughs there are to be had are few and far between. Maybe some people watch this and laugh non-stop. If you think blow jobs and rape are funny, well then I guess you're one of those folks. Personally, I laughed two or three times and spent the rest of the movie in utter awe of the agonizing horrors of white-trash life.

The Jerry Springer Show just isn't meant to make the leap from TV to the silver screen. What's funny in an hour long show (less, when you count commercials) isn't necessarily going to be funny in a ninety minute movie. Movies have to tell a story, and that's something else "Ringmaster" has trouble with. The story is threadbare. There are so many plot holes and continuity errors that any attempt at telling a cohesive narrative is quickly put asunder. And even if there weren't such problems, how much fun can you pull out of a story of stereotypical people in a stereotypical story? Even the Hollywood formula couldn't make this better. "Ringmaster: is so bad, it even screws up the best part of the Springer show: the Final Thought. Somehow, even the smartest and simplest aspect of the show wound up blowing harder than the slutty women the film is built around.

The worst offender in all of this is Springer himself. He's such a bad actor that he can't even play himself convincingly. Watching Springer play Springer is sad. It's like he was going for a 'What if Woody Allen played Jerry Springer' vibe, and he failed. Miserably. He went to the trouble of producing this disaster, the least he could do is try to make it just that much better.

Not that I'm saying everyone else in this movie put in an award worthy performance. Just the opposite. They all suck. Not so surprisingly, no one in this movie went on to greatness. The best any of them was did was Molly Hagan landing a job on a Nickelodeon sitcom. Apparently, Nickelodeon has no problem with hiring a woman who starred in the most vile film of the '90's to star in a children's program. It makes you wonder what kind of things the other adults on that channel have done in their pasts.

Here are my Final Thoughts: What we have here is a group of people with no self respect and a man with money to burn, who have met and put their resources together to produce a film that shows how much they hate themselves and how little they think of the intelligence of their viewing audience. Should we accept people who make movies that treat us like severely brain-damaged lumps of goo? I say no. Somewhere out there, in this crazy, mixed up world, there is a perfect movie for each of us. We just have to keep looking for it. Until next time, take care of yourselves and your loved ones. And don't ever watch "Ringmaster".

No, really it's a good movie.

[MattSell · 8/10 · 24 November 1998]

The film maybe goes a little far, but if you love the show it's what you expect. It's not a bad movie; it's actually pretty good. If you don't like the show, don't see the movie. It starts off a little slow maybe, but then picks up and turns out to be pretty funny. There are even a few "heart-wrenching" scenes toward the end. After all the protagonists have gone through these scences do get to you. Also Jerry throws in his opinion why his show upsets people and justifies his show's existience. He's got a pretty good point. We care so much about the private details of celebrities lives, so why is it wrong that these people tell their private lives on national TV, too. If they were celebrities we wouldn't mind at all, we'd eat it up. Do we not like his guest doing this just because they're poor white trash and it reminds us that there really is poverty in this world and not just rich glamous movie stars living in a "Leave it to Beaver" world?

Determined To Hate It, But Couldn't

[abooboo-2 · 6/10 · 4 February 2001]

It would seem that all those people who are bashing this film so gleefully are being less than honest, as it is in fact capably made, generally well acted (Springer himself wisely opts for a mild, secondary role) and at times achieves a surprising poignancy. Based on the few clips I've seen over the years, I have nothing but contempt for the infamous talk show itself, but it is clear that the folks behind this project had a threefold objective: 1. to defend and explain the show's appeal 2. to probe the mentality and motivations of a typical guest and 3. to still deliver the kind of sleaze and silliness the show's fans have come to expect. Amazingly enough, the movie basically connects on all three levels.

What is most surprising about "Ringmaster" is the amount of compassion it has for its (at heart) extremely sad, lonely characters - where a guest spot on Springer's show will be, for most of them, the absolute pinnacle of their abysmal lives. The movie also argues that, whatever else you might think of them, these people have guts, they're fighters - they won't be doormats for anyone. The best performances are given by Jaime Pressly and Wendy Robinson, both of whom throw themselves into their roles with complete and often hilarious abandon. Their profanity-laced tirades are, frankly, very funny and very um, "vivid". (Especially Robinson's "Linda Blair" comment.) Sleazy and trashy, to be sure, but smarter than you'd think and maintains a narrative drive all the way through - unlike so many other TV shows turned into films. With the show's popularity on the wane by now, this represents a more lasting monument, if defaced and defiled, of the whole Springer sensation.

A *BLEEPING* load of *BLEEP*!!!!!

[rob-236 · 1/10 · 10 September 2000]

Oh Dear, Jerry may be the undisputed king of talkshow but the movies are a whole different ball game, and he's way out of his league. The script for this film is so poor it has to be seen to be believed and its sad to see such vaguely familiar actors as Michael Dudikoff (80's action ‘B'movie king), Michael Jai White (Last seen in the Sci Fi flop ‘Spawn') as well as Surviving the Games' William MacNamara (who is involved in the only half funny situation in the whole film!) stoop this low for employment. If you are a fan of Jerry then stick to his TV show as this is a total waste of and hour and a half. After I had finished sitting through this I managed to catch the last half an hour of Rocky 5 on TV, which looked like a cinematic masterpiece in comparison, I think that says more than enough!!!

Jamie Pressly is gorgeous

[ant-17 · 24 January 1999]

Sure the movie is a major piece of crapola. What did you expect from the king of trash, Jerry Springer? Look, for what it is, it's a fun movie. You don't have to think too hard to figure out what's happening.

Jamie Pressly, the female lead, makes for lovely scenery. I don't know if that's her real accent, but it sounds great. And her acting ability is not too shabby either.

The female soul sisters make for some great comic relief. They are hilarious together.

In short, if you're with some friends, just hanging out all casual; rent the the thing and pop it in the VCR.

A Manipulative Lie and a Sad Statement on Our Society...but also kind of funny...

[Isaac5855 · 5/10 · 23 April 2008]

RINGMASTER is a crude and raunchy fictionalized "behind the scenes" look at the production of an episode of THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW, the daytime talk show that makes stars out of ordinary white bread trailer trash who love to come on the show and air their dirty laundry in front of a national television audience. If you can accept the completely fabricated premise in which this story is presented, you might find some laughs here. This film shamelessly perpetrates the myth that Jerry and his staff recruit the guests for the show and do nothing else. It seems to claim that Jerry and his staff have nothing to do with the outrageous on stage shenanigans and that it is all spontaneous and unplanned, which we know for a fact is not true. If you can accept that the entire premise of this film is based on this huge lie, then it is easy to go along with the story of two separate groups of trailer trash being booked on the show. Jerry plays himself with as much sincerity as the plastic screenplay allows. Emmy winner Jaime Pressley (MY NAME IS EARL)and Wendy Raquel Robinson (THE GAME)offer energetic lead performances as the two protagonists in the separate stories being booked on the show. As stupid as this movie is, I still found myself laughing. There are laughs throughout and I have a feeling this film is going to be added to my "guilty pleasure" list because I found myself laughing despite the fact that I felt like I shouldn't be.

A Bigger Mess Than the Show.

[anaconda-40658 · 2/10 · 5 February 2016]

The Ringmaster (1998): Dir: Neil Abramson / Cast: Jerry Springer, Molly Hagan, Jaime Pressly, Michael Jai White, William McNamara: Idiotic comedy about Jerry Springer's dysfunctional talk show and totally insincere at that. The title places him as a go-between within the depraved. At one point he defends his guests comparing their lives to that of the rich and famous. It is as if an applause is required. Among his guests are a mother and daughter combo played by Molly Hagan and Jaime Pressly. Apparently the Pressly character slept with her stepfather and became pregnant. Her mother then gives her daughter's boyfriend a blowjob. In fact, everyone seems to be sleeping with everybody in this film. One idiot even goes so far to tell his girlfriend that he slipped off to attend a Bible study in the area. Horrible directing by Neil Abramson with a screenplay that plays like a soap opera. We are given some insight into Springer's disposition as he prepares this event but he also seems to be promoting himself, especially with his pathetic and phoney concluding statement. Hagan and Pressly exploit society's nightmares through applauded vulgarity. Some of their actions are amusing but the resolution is phoney. Michael Jai White makes a wasted appearance as another cheater. Advertises Springer's career with sloppy filmmaking, bad acting and one big ugly orgy. Score: 2 / 10

Pointless

[Theo Robertson · 3/10 · 9 May 2002]

THE RINGMASTER stars Jerry Springer as a TV talkshow host called Jerry , but it`s not THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW , his guests are trailer trash , but not the trailer trash you get on THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW, they attack one another , but not like on.....What is the point of making a movie about THE JERRY SPRINGER show and pretending it`s not THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW ? And on top of that this is a very boring film

What did you expect? It's Jerry Springer!

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 2/10 · 20 September 2004]

For the life of me, I cannot get why they would want to make a movie about the "Jerry Springer Show". It's so incrediably trashy. Some ways, sadly it's a guilty pleasure. We all have to admit that we've seen at least one episode. It's part of our pop culture. I saw this on USA recently. It's pretty bad. I will admit that. Jerry does a horrible job of what I think he meant as acting. Or something like it. Jamie Pressley is in it. She's playing herself basically. All she needed was her lover boy, Kid Rock. It would've been perfect then. So, I would recommend skipping "Ringmaster". Just watch the "Jerry Springer Show". It's more enjoyable than this.

2/10

"Leshawnette" - Come on folks!

[lambiepie-2 · 1/10 · 19 August 2005]

The Jerry Springer show is a guilty pleasure to watch. It's one of those programs you watch to say, "thank goodness that's not me!" You're not sure whether people truly exist in the world like this (and if they do, its sad!) or whether this is all staged. Regardless, the Jerry Springer Show captured attention. This film was horrid.

It's not as though the Jerry Springer Show doesn't capitalize on every stereotype there is, but in this movie it was just blatantly obvious and at times mean spirited. As if someone who had hatred for everyone got backing to do a movie and let out all of that hatred on film AND got away with it under the name and theme of the "Jerry Springer Show".

Horrid.

An enormous steaming turd that should be avoided at all costs.

[pcgcol · 1/10 · 28 November 1998]

I love watching Jerry as much as the rest of the world, but this poor excuse for a soft-core porno flick is needlessly offensive, lacks anything resembling wit, and serves merely as a vehicle of self-promotion for Springer. Even though it runs a quick 90 minutes, the film drags hideously, and I should have had the common sense to walk out. Simply atrocious.

Not that good

[gta3expert1989 · 3/10 · 14 July 2006]

I saw this movie recently on Comedy Central. I didn't think the movie was very good, and the plot seemed like it was written by 5 year olds with very dirty minds. So the movie starts with this white trailer trash family who lives in South Florida, Jaime Pressly works at a hotel but she's a nymphomaniac, the first guy she runs into when she's house keeping, sleeps with him. Then she goes onto sleep with her stepfather, and he gets her pregnant, then here mother gets back at Pressly by sleeping with Pressly's fiancé.

In this movie, Jerry Springer doesn't have a last name, he's just "Jerry" around his fans he seems like a good guy but behind their back he really doesn't like them (the movie lets you in on that) So Jaime Pressly (her movie name is Angel Zorzak) and her step dad and fiancé fly to LA to be on Jerrys show. She runs into a group of people who are supposed to be on the day after them, and sleeps with this other guy and her fiancé catches her. Her mother tries to do the same but fails, he and Connie just "hang out." The only part I thought was funny was when one of Jerrys staff members sleeps with the transvestite. Other then that this movie sucked

Awesome movie!!

[joseph_flannigan1 · 10/10 · 28 July 2023]

This movie was so awesome, I have watched this movie at least a hundred times. When it's I cry and cry until I watch it again. Therefore I watch it constantly! Those of you giving the bad reviews are simply jealous that you aren't intelligent enough to realize the theatrical beauty of this movie. Everyone involved in the making of this movie should have received an Oscar award from the writers down to the gaffers. I am hoping that they soon decide to make several sequels to this amazing work of art. I loved it!!

If you haven't seen this cinematic work of art then you don't know what you are missing.

Strange movie but well-acted

[preppy-3 · 6/10 · 9 January 2008]

Fictional movie about some people who are going to appear on the Jerry Springer show. Trailer trash Connie (Molly Hagan) is married to good for nothing Rusty (Michael Dudikoff). He's sleeping with her and her daughter Angel (Jaime Pressly) who is his step daughter. Also Angel is dating Willie who Connie seduces! Another story involves Demond (Michael Jai White) who's sleeping with someone and her best friend. They all get on the show and things go out of control.

I'm no fan of Jerry Springer's show. I find it sickening--these poor people and their problems are paraded in front of an audience who judges them. I find the scenes where the audience cheers and applauds when people are physically fighting very disturbing. I saw this movie out of pure curiosity. In some ways I found it terrible--in others, quite interesting.

The characters and situations here are fictional and that makes it easier to take. Also the acting here is actually pretty good--even Dudikoff (who I never liked) gives a good performance. Only White is bad. His character is a complete jerk but he plays it so badly I didn't know how to take it. However he's a very attractive man with a great body and is introduced almost completely nude! I THINK this was supposed to be a comedy but I found the final confrontation on the show more harrowing than funny. The nonstop swearing and fighting was just hard to watch. As for Springer--he's hardly in it. That's a good thing because I hated him. They show him hosting the show and, after the people are attacking each other and swearing, he stands there with a sad look on his face and nodding his head. On one hand he's saying isn't this sad--on the other he's rubbing our face in it. I just find that kind of behavior revolting. So--as a drama this movie works. It's pretty well written with good acting. As a comedy it's just too sick to be funny. It's not the disaster I was expecting. I give it a 6.

Trailer Trash TV

[lastliberal · 1/10 · 24 March 2007]

I absolutely cannot believe that i sat down and watched this garbage. I guess I wanted to se4e Jaime Pressly (Angel) from My Name is Earl, even though I don't watch the show. Along with Presley was William McNamara, with a long history of movies I have never seen, who played the stepfather who was boning her; TV star Molly Hagen, who played the mom who boned Angel's boyfriend after she caught her with her husband; Michael Jai White who boned both of them; and lots more TV personalities that made for more trash. I cannot imagine how Angel had energy for her step-daddy after she was earning all that extra money in the motel where she worked as a maid. Well, you get the picture. Florida trailer trash at it's best.