Jeremy Kyle Show to launch in the US

[dutchman]

British daytime TV hit The Jeremy Kyle show is heading for the US this summer.


Kyle is hoping his show will prove successful in the US, where his style of "confrontation TV" was spawned by the likes of Jerry Springer.

Following a test run, the plan is to launch the US version of ITV1's talk show nationwide in 2011.

"I am particularly looking forward to meeting ordinary American people and hearing about their extraordinary lives," Kyle said.

"This show isn't about me; it is about their issues and problems and how we can face them together - with complete honesty and openness - in front of US audiences."

ITV Studios is teaming up with US company Debmar-Mercury to create a test run later this year.

"ITV Studios' creative vision convinced us that Jeremy Kyle can conquer another continent," said Debmar-Mercury co-president Mort Marcus.

"We believe American viewers, stations and advertisers will wholeheartedly embrace Jeremy Kyle, who is such a great talent and brings his unique sensibility to a proven format."

Assault case

The Jeremy Kyle Show has been a solid performer in the daytime ratings for ITV since it launched in 2005, but it has courted much controversy.

Last year, the show found itself in trouble with media regulator Ofcom after broadcasting one of the "most offensive" swear words.

The watchdog said its use on an edition of the show aired on 2 July on ITV2 was "highly offensive and unacceptable".

In 2008, Labour MP Kerry McCarthy described it as a "modern day freak show" which must stop revealing the identity of babies' parents on air.

On that occasion, ITV said the show adhered to the Ofcom broadcasting code, and its rules and guidance on protecting under-18s.

The previous year, a judge branded The Jeremy Kyle Show "a form of human bear-baiting" at a court case in Manchester.

The judge made the comments while sentencing one of the show's guests - who head-butted his love rival during filming - for assault.

[pollyanna]

If you've ever seen American tv shows such as the Ricky Lake show, I think Jeremy Kyle will fit in just perfectly - and they're welcome to him