Posted by chicagomedia.org on September 11, 2008 at 12:52:30:
In Reply to: New Jerry Springer producer and show format announced posted by Sideshow Bubba on September 07, 2008 at 20:13:47:
Choked up
Ex-'Springer' producer says he gave 'everything I had inside me'
After 18 years and way too many smacks, punches and gouges to remember, was the executive producer of "The Jerry Springer Show" done in by one choke-hold too many?
That's the story making the rounds to explain the sudden ouster late last month of Richard Dominick as the grand poobah at "Springer" and "The Steve Wilkos Show." Both syndicated talk shows are produced in Chicago at NBC Tower.
Sources said Dominick was warned to tone down violence on the two shows by NBC Universal Domestic Television.
When his bosses learned that Dominick encouraged Wilkos, a beefy ex-Chicago cop, to engage in a "physical confrontation" with a guest -- including what one source described as a choke-hold on the guest -- he was forced out. The source said he had edited the offending portion out of the show.
Reached at home Wednesday, Dominick declined to comment, but referred to a letter he posted on a "Springer" message board.
"I gave Jerry and Steve, my staff and my crew everything I had inside me for 18 years," he wrote. "I had a great time doing Jerry, but I sure missed a lot in my own life." He plans to pursue other TV projects.
Dominick has been replaced as "Springer" exec producer by supervising producer Rachelle Consiglio -- who happens to be married to Wilkos.
(FEDER/st)