Springer is the name of several places in the United States:

• Springer, New Mexico
• Springer, Oklahoma
• Springer Mountain, southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail

Springer may also refer to:

• In cattle, a cow or heifer near to calving
• Springer (surname) for a list of people
• Springer Science+Business Media, a worldwide publishing group based in Germany, including the company formerly known as Springer-Verlag
• Springer Publishing, an American publisher
• Axel Springer AG, important conservative German publishing house
• Springer Opera House, Columbus, Georgia
• Springer (EP), a 2003 record by the Danish music band Efterklang
• Springer (Transformers), a Transformers character
• Springer (tank), a small demolition vehicle of the German Wehrmacht in WW2
• Springer (architecture), the first voussoir of an arch
• Springer fork, a type of motorcycle fork
• Springer, an interstellar teleporter featured in A Million Open Doors, a science fiction novel by John Barnes
• English Springer Spaniel, a breed of dog
• Welsh Springer Spaniel, a breed of dog
• Springer (orca), a wild orca (killer whale) also known as A73
• The Jerry Springer Show
• The British Army's name for the Tomcar
• A Piece Playground equipment supported by large vertically mounted springs designed with one or more seats for children to sit on

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Jerry Springer
Springer in 2011 at the book launch party for Michael Musto's Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back
56th Mayor of Cincinnati
In office 1977–1978
Preceded by	Jim Luken
Succeeded by	Bobbie L. Sterne
Personal details
Born	Gerald Norman Springer (1944-02-13)February 13, 1944 (age 68) Highgate, London, England
Nationality	American[1]
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Micki Velton (1973–present)
Alma mater	Tulane University (B.A.) Northwestern University (J.D.)
Occupation	Former politician, talk show host
Website	jerryspringertv.com

Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer (born February 13, 1944) is an American television presenter, best known as host of the tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show since its debut in 1991. He is a former Democratic mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio,^[2] news anchor, and musician.

Early life[link]

Springer was born in Highgate tube station in London, England, while the station was in use as a shelter from German bombing during World War II^[3] and grew up on Chandos Road, East Finchley. His parents, Margot (née Kallmann; a bank clerk) and Richard Springer (owner of a shoe shop^[4]), were Jewish refugees who escaped from Landsberg an der Warthe, Germany (now Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland).^[5][6][7] His maternal grandmother Marie Kallmann, who was left behind, died in the gas trucks of Chelmno extermination camp. His paternal grandmother, Selma Springer, died at the Theresienstadt concentration camp. In January 1949, Springer immigrated with his parents to the United States, settling in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York and attended Forest Hills High School. He and his sister Evelyn were raised in a small four-room apartment. One of his earliest memories about current events was when he was 12 and watching the 1956 Democratic convention on television where he saw and was impressed by John F. Kennedy.^[8] He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University in 1965, majoring in political science.^[9] He earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Northwestern University in 1968.^[6][10]

Springer became a political campaign adviser to Robert F. Kennedy.^[10] After Kennedy's assassination, he joined the Cincinnati law firm of Frost & Jacobs, now Frost Brown Todd.

Political career[link]

In 1970, Springer ran for Congress. He failed to unseat incumbent Republican Donald D. Clancy, but garnered an impressive 45% of the vote in a traditionally Republican district. He had previously spearheaded the effort to lower the voting age, including testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of ratification of the 26th Amendment.

Springer was elected to the Cincinnati city council in 1971.^[10] He resigned in 1974 after admitting to hiring a prostitute.^[10] The episode was uncovered when a police raid on a Fort Wright, Kentucky "massage parlor" unearthed a check Springer had written for its "services". The check subsequently bounced due to lack of funds in the account. Springer came clean at a press conference. Long-time Cincinnati newsman Al Schottelkotte pronounced Springer's career over, but Springer's honesty helped him win back his seat in 1975 by a landslide. In a post-election interview, Schottelkotte good-naturedly reminded Springer that he had declared Springer's career over. Springer told the newsman, "I'm glad that you were wrong." In 1977, he was chosen to serve one year as mayor by the City Council.

In 1982, Springer sought the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio. TV commercials for Springer's campaign referenced his use of a check to pay a prostitute, saying that he was not afraid of the truth "even if it hurts".^[11] He failed to win the Democratic party's nomination—finishing a distant third behind former Lieutenant Governor Richard F. Celeste and Ohio Attorney General William J. Brown, and his political career was put on hold. Springer considered running for the United States Senate in 2003,^[12] but backed down due to negative associations with The Jerry Springer Show.^[13]

Politics to journalism[link]

Springer's broadcast career started while he was an undergraduate at Tulane University, on WTUL New Orleans FM, a progressive format independent radio station. It continued while he was still mayor of Cincinnati, with album-oriented rock radio station WEBN-FM, which was noted for its laid-back and irreverent radio format. The station featured commentaries by Springer under the banner "The Springer Memorandum." The popularity of these commentaries launched his broadcasting career.

Springer was hired as a political reporter and commentator on Cincinnati's NBC affiliate, WLWT, which had, at the time, the lowest-rated news program. Later, having been named primary news anchor and Managing Editor, he needed a broadcast catchphrase in the model of other great newsmen. With the help of some others at WLWT, he created his signature line: "Take care of yourself, and each other." Within two years he was Cincinnati's number-one news anchor, along with partner Norma Rashid. For five years, he was the most popular one in the city,^[10] garnering ten local Emmy Awards for his nightly commentaries, which were frequently satirized by Cincinnati radio personality Gary Burbank. Those commentaries would eventually become his "Final Thought" on "The Jerry Springer Show." Springer would remain commentator at WLWT until January 1993. He resided in Loveland, Ohio, during this time.^[14]

In 1997, the Chicago-based NBC-owned station WMAQ-TV hired Springer to serve as a news commentator. However, this proved to be unpopular among viewers, as it resulted in the resignation of long-time news anchors Ron Magers and Carol Marin. After performing only two commentaries, Springer resigned as commentator.^[15][16]

Hosting[link]

[edit] The Jerry Springer Show

The Jerry Springer Show debuted on September 30, 1991. It was developed by WLWT to mimic the format and look of fellow talk show Donahue, all the way down to Jerry's haircut and glasses, making him look like Phil Donahue (coincidentally, both were produced by Multimedia Entertainment). It started as a politically-oriented talk show, a longer version of Springer's commentaries. Guests included Oliver North and Jesse Jackson, and topics included homelessness and gun politics.

In early 1994, Springer and his new producer, Richard Dominick, revamped the show's format in order to garner higher ratings. The show became more and more successful as it became more and more lowbrow, with an emphasis on infidelity. Its guests were typically lower class, minimally-educated, blue collar people confronted on a television stage by a spouse or family member's adultery, homosexuality, prostitution, transvestism, hate group membership, or other controversial situations. These confrontations often led to shouting, profanities, chair-throwing, fist-fights, pulling of hair by fighting women, and removal of clothing. Female guests also receive 'Jerry Beads' for exposing their breasts to the studio audience, in the style of Mardi Gras revelers. The show garnered huge ratings, and lots of attention. By 1998, it was beating The Oprah Winfrey Show in many cities, and was reaching more than 6.7 million viewers. (Waxman, 1998)

On July 10, 2002, the sons of guest Nancy Campbell-Panitz - who was murdered by her ex-husband after they appeared on a May 2000 episode with his girlfriend - filed suit in Sarasota County against Springer, his producers, and his distributor, claiming he created "a mood that led to murder."^[17] Ultimately, the estate of Ms. Campbell-Panitz dropped all monetary claims against The Jerry Springer Show and the show agreed to waive its claims for malicious prosecution against the personal representative of the estate of Ms. Campbell-Panitz and his counsel.

In 2005, a UK version was shown on ITV1 titled The Springer Show. It beat its talk-show rival Trisha Goddard five to one in the ratings, despite it being a subdued and more tongue-in-cheek version of the U.S. show.^[18]

The VH1 "celebreality" series The Springer Hustle, which took a look at how The Jerry Springer Show is produced, premiered in April 2007.^[19]

Other[link]

Springer in January 2011

Springer hosted America's Got Talent on NBC in the U.S. for two seasons, replacing Regis Philbin,^[20] before leaving to concentrate on other projects.^[21]

From January 17, 2005 to December 5, 2006, Springer hosted Springer on the Radio, a liberal talk show on Cincinnati's WCKY-AM. He did the show from the Clear Channel studios in Kenwood on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and in Chicago (where his television show tapes) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.^[22] Air America Radio syndicated the program for most of the show's run.

In the UK, Springer has hosted The Wright Stuff and 2001's Greed on the UK's Five network as well as 2007's Nothing But the Truth, the UK version of Nada más que la verdad. He also had a late-night talk show. On April 16, 2006, Springer was the guest host for the opening show for the third series of The Friday Night Project for Channel 4 and guest hosted Have I Got News for You on December 12, 2008. Springer has also co-presented UK daytime programme This Morning on ITV. In 2009, Springer appeared as a guest on the long-running British game show Countdown and hosted Miss Universe 2008. He was also the guest host for WWE Raw on February 15, 2010 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Springer has also hosted the live stage show version of The Price is Right.

Since April 19, 2010, Springer has also hosted a dating game show called Baggage, which airs on on GSN.^[23]

Acting career[link]

Springer portrayed his own talk show host character in the 1998 movie Ringmaster,^[24] using the name Jerry Farrelly. Ringmaster offers a behind-the-scenes look at would-be guests who apply to a Springer-like show. The same year, Springer also released an unrelated autobiography named Ringmaster. He quipped, "I can only think of one title a year."^[24]

In 1996, he appeared on an episode of the ninth season of Roseanne and on The X-Files episode "The Post-Modern Prometheus". In 1998, he voiced a cartoon version of himself in the Halloween episode of The Simpsons titled "Starship Poopers". In 1999, he appeared in the episode Mrs. Kraft of the third season of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch with his talk show. In 2004 he was the president of United States of America in a straight to DVD "c" movie "The Defender" directed by Dolph Lundgren. In 2007, he appeared on episode #1301 of MADtv as himself.

Jerry Springer made a cameo appearance in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me as himself during an episode of his show featuring Dr. Evil and his estranged son Scott Evil.

In 1999, he was in an episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast.

Springer appeared in an episode of Married... with Children as The Masculine Feminist, in which he was for women getting the men's bowling night and eventually taking over at a bowling alley. Al Bundy and his friends tie Springer to a chair and take over his show with a stripper who jumps up and down for the crowd's delight. He was in several episodes of George Lopez as Benny Lopez' ex-boyfriend Wayne and made a July 2007 guest appearance on Days of our Lives as "Pete," a high roller in Las Vegas who helped Nick Fallon win $50,000. On October 19, 2007, Springer made a cameo appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as a "random" audience member. In June 2009 he appeared in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre London as Billy Flynn for a short period of time, starring alongside Aoife Mulholland and Leigh Zimmerman.

Springer giving a speech at Emory University in 2007

Springer has been a guest in the following shows: the UK daytime programme The Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4 on November 12, 2007, Question Time on June 19, 2008, Saturday Kitchen on June 21, 2008 along with chef Theresa Griegson and Kristin Dawson, Verdict with Dan Abrams in June 2008, two appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 2003 (from the same taping), The Jason Ellis Show on June 20, 2008 and Desert Island Discs on November 1, 2009.He was also in the Wayans Bros.as a cameo.

Springer also Starred opposite Dolph Lundgren in the 2004 film The Defender.

He was interviewed by satirist Chris Morris in his surreal radio series Blue Jam (Series 2, Episode 6). On January 23, 2004, Springer was featured in an episode of This American Life titled "Leaving the Fold".^[25]

Springer appeared in an episode of BBC One's Television Series Who Do You Think You Are? on August 27, 2008^[26] In the episode he traveled to Poland, where he discovered that his maternal grandmother had been sent to Chelmno extermination camp by the Nazis and killed. His paternal grandmother died at Theresienstadt concentration camp in what is now the Czech Republic. He wept openly when he learned of how they died.

Springer appeared on the Chris Moyles Show in April 2009, along with Davina McCall and Alan Carr. On May 31, 2009, Springer was a guest on The Andrew Marr Show talking about politics and his upcoming projects.

Other projects[link]

In the mid-1990s, Springer recorded Dr. Talk, an album that mostly consisted of country music covers.

In late 2006, Springer was a contestant on the third season of Dancing with the Stars, with his professional dance partner, Kym Johnson. He wanted to appear on the show so he could learn the waltz for the wedding of his daughter, Katie.^[22][27] Springer and Johnson were eliminated in the seventh week of competition.^[28]

On May 16, 2008, Springer delivered the Northwestern University School of Law commencement address. Although many students had criticized the University's choice of speaker, he received a standing ovation from about half the audience and reviews of his speech were generally positive.^[29] In a March 2009 interview on Anytime with Bob Kushell, Springer said that in his speech he talked about "the ethical judgments we all have to make in whatever business we go [into].^[30]

Springer is the executive producer of The Steve Wilkos Show, which is hosted by Steve Wilkos, the long-time head of security on his own talk show.

In popular culture[link]

A musical by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, Jerry Springer: The Opera, is based on his show. It first became popular at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2002. It has since played at the Royal National Theatre and the West End in London before embarking on a UK Tour in 2006. It has recently opened in Chicago, in the US, and will be moving onto regional productions throughout the United States. It was also screened on BBC 2 Television, causing some controversy.^[31] The televised version is now available on DVD.

Springer and his television program are mentioned in Mark Knopfler's song "Devil Baby". The songs "Jerry Springer" by "Weird Al" Yankovic, "Mr Springer" by Fascinating Aïda, "Jerry Rules in the Land of the Free" by the Dutch punk band De Heideroosjes and "Mr. Unfaithful" by the Swedish art-rock band A.C.T were inspired by him. On Jay Z's Blueprint 3 album, Kanye West says "I am never sprung but i spring her (Springer), Jerry" on the song "Hate".

"Dr. Talk" CD 1995 Fiddle Fish Records 8 tracks with 5 duets including "Let It Be Me" with Colene Walters

References[link]

The Jerry Springer Show has been notably denounced by Peter Gabriel in his video, 'The Barry Williams Show'.

Bibliography[link]

• Rebecca Johnson and Kathleen Powers, "Jerry Springer under Siege", Good Housekeeping, September 1998, pp. 114–119.
• John Kieswetter. "Springer ready to take radio show national". The Cincinnati Enquirer. March 21, 2005. D1.
• Allison J. Waldman, "American Pie: The In-Your-Face Success of 'The Jerry Springer Show'", TelevisionWeek, May 8, 2006, p. 31.
• Sharon Waxman. "King of the Trash Heap; Jerry Springer Digs the Dirt On Television". Washington Post, January 20, 1998, p. D1.

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Jerry Springer

• Springer on the Radio
• Jerry Springer - the Opera
• Profile: Jerry Springer
• Campaign ad from Governor race
• Jerry Springer at the Internet Movie Database
• "Leaving the Fold", This American Life, January 23, 2004. "[P]roducer Alex Blumberg tells the true story of Jerry Springer's life before he was a talk show host."
• Text from Springer's address at Northwestern Law Convocation
• Mayor Springer

Riley L. Martin (born May 9, 1946) is a self-described alien contactee, author, and radio host. Martin is the author of the book The Coming of Tan,^[1] which describes his life and his alleged abduction by aliens. He hosts The Riley Martin Show on the Sirius Satellite Radio channel Howard 101. He had another weekly radio show, The Official Riley Martin Radio Show, but he chose not to continue the show due to financial issues.^[2]

Biography[link]

Riley Martin was born in Mississippi to a family of sharecroppers of African American and Native American descent.^{[citation needed]} He is an ordained ceremonial minister in First Nation Church. He claims he was first abducted by aliens while living in Arkansas in November 1953.^[3]

Martin has characterized his interaction with the aliens as positive. The Biaviian alien O-Qua Tangin Wann (also known as Tan), is listed as the co-author of his book.^[1] Martin asserts that a significant amount of knowledge was uploaded into his brain by the aliens, including 144,000 different alien "symbols" within a matter of minutes.

Martin claims that these aliens, flying aboard 'The Great Mother Ship' to which he is taken every time he is willingly "abducted," have given him this knowledge so that he can produce and sell hand-drawings of these symbols, which will allow passage aboard the Mother Ship when the Earth is 'transformed' in 2012. Martin claims that each symbol is uniquely tuned to its buyer. Martin did however say on the November 29, 2006 Howard 101 program that “You don’t exactly have to have one of my symbols in order to go,” and stated further that some symbol owners would have their personal reasons for not going, and some Earth populace who had never heard of Riley might be offered the opportunity to participate in the potential airlift. Riley's official website has become the primary platform from which he sells his symbols, the audio book (in his own stentorian voice), a soulful CD of 1990s music, and other articles such as Cherokee Nation headbands and talking bobbleheads. Martin has been rumored to be an alcoholic due to his (what appears to be) slurred speech during the course of each radio show he does on SiriusXM (even vomiting on-air during a May 2012 program) but he Denys these allegations.

Seven types of extraterrestrial beings[link]

Martin describes seven types of extraterrestrial beings who reside in a mother ship near Saturn:

• the Biaviians, the aliens who have had the most interaction with Martin, who are short with large heads,
• the Targzissians, who are "obviously" Reptilians,
• the Stagyians, who have a bony, leathery appearance and a peaceful and scientific disposition,
• the Dorians, who resemble blonde-haired, blue-eyed humans (see Nordic aliens),
• the Insectillians (a.k.a. the Skreed), who are "smart bugs" five feet tall,
• the Nyptonians, who are "water people" with "underwater bases" on Earth.^[4]
• A seventh type of alien that cannot be pronounced by humans.

These seven types are the intelligent extraterrestrial beings allowed to sit on a "high council". There are other extraterrestrial beings whose species are not represented on the council.^[1]

Martin on Sirius Satellite Radio[link]

[edit] Hello Earth episode synopses

• First Episode March 27, 2006: On March 27, 2006, Riley Martin was given a one hour tryout radio show entitled Hello Earth (also referred to as The Riley Martin Show) on Sirius Satellite Radio's Howard 101. The show featured Martin telling his story with occasional questions by Curtis "Coopy Coop" Cooperman, his publisher and co-host, and did not feature phone calls. The show was very well received by Howard Stern and his fans.

• Second Episode May 1, 2006: Hello Earth returned to Sirius radio on May 1, 2006. Starting with this second show, phone calls were prominently and effectively featured.

• Third Episode May 8, 2006: Martin put forth the idea that alien pioneers came to the Earth in prehistoric times and wiped out the dinosaurs with nuclear weapons, making room for our mammalian ancestors. Martin also plugged his hand drawn symbols which can allegedly be used as "tickets" to ride in the mother ship when the Earth is destroyed in 2012.

• Fourth Episode May 23, 2006: On May 23, 2006, when Martin was asked if the Biaviians were Greys, he responded that they are not only different, but that the Grey aliens are a cross between the Targzissians and humans (explaining their unpleasant nature) and live in subterranean caverns on Venus.

• Fifth Episode June 6, 2006: On the June 6, 2006 show, Martin spent over 40 minutes answering listener phone calls. He addressed the notion of "Biaviian" religion, expressing that the aliens look to the light spectrum for enlightenment. Martin expressed that the aliens' ability to travel faster than the speed of light indicated they were closer to this enlightenment. He indicated that some of the alien species seen on the mothership may have engaged in sexual encounters with pre-human simians in the Tigris-Euphrates delta. When asked about the status of pets on the alien mother ship, Martin indicated each traveler can bring one pet aboard, but that beloved animals could be regenerated by the "Biaviians" from a hair or saliva sample.

• Sixth Episode June 20, 2006: Upon returning to the Sirius airwaves, and seemingly placated about his agreement (which is not mentioned) with Sirius, Riley Martin provided details on secret United States government efforts to reverse-engineer alien spacecraft. He indicated that the government has successfully replicated certain flight-oriented elements of the craft, but have yet to harness its fusion-based propulsion systems. According to Martin, only limited, low-altitude flight tests have taken place using traditional propulsion systems. Martin also addressed the question of crop circles, citing the aliens' light-based technology. Flight-capable orbs emitting powerful light beams are used to create the crop circles, in a manner swift enough to have evaded discovery.

• Seventh Episode July 18, 2006: Martin began the show by stating that the probationary period of his show's run was over and asking the listeners to email Howard Stern and Sirius in support of the show. He complained that his staff have not received any money and put forth the possibility that this might be his last show. (It was stated at the end of the show, however, that the next new show would be in two weeks.) A few of the phone calls Martin received were goofy and he handled them well. In response to a question, Martin stated that the Biaviians, Stagyians, Dorians, and possibly the Nyptonians are all mammals. Martin assured a gay caller that Biaviians judge people by their character and have no prejudice against those with alternative lifestyles.

• Contract Dispute: Originally, the eighth episode of Hello Earth was scheduled for August 1, 2006 at 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific) on Sirius Satellite Radio's Howard 101. However, on that day Howard 100/101 program director Tim Sabean reported that negotiations with Martin had broken down, leading to the possible cancellation of the show. Indeed, the show did not air. However, Riley did call into The Howard Stern Show on September 21, 2006 to announce that he had come to terms with Sirius for continuing "Hello Earth" at a later date.

• Eighth Episode October 24, 2006: Martin returned to the airwaves thanks to a new ISDN line directly connected at his home and answered questions about the aliens' ships' power sources, and how no two of his symbols were alike. Martin's friend Eric "E-Ron" McCauley, whom he identifies as being "like a son", served as co-host.

• Ninth Episode October 25, 2006: Martin described the planet Biave (which he has not visited in person) as having lighter gravity and growing large vegetables. He also stated that the aliens could simulate any kind of food, liquor or drugs without ill effects.

• Tenth Episode October 31, 2006: In response to a question from regular Howard Stern Show caller Hook Nose Mike, Martin defended his translation of the African sound bite that Sal the Stockbroker called in to prank him, explaining that the African language the sound bite is in ultimately derives from the Atlantean language, as Martin originally identified it.

• Regularly Scheduled: After a brief absence during contract negotiations during a second dispute, Martin was able to reach an agreement with Sirius. His show now airs regularly on Howard 101, Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings at midnight ET. In July 2009 Sirius decided to fire Riley Martin due to Riley's using his "shout-outs" to acknowledge a business. Martin was rehired in October 2009.

Other notable appearances on Sirius[link]

[edit] Meet the Shrink

• On April 3, 2006, Martin appeared on an episode of the Sirius radio show Meet the Shrink, which featured an unusual therapy session. Martin spoke of his paranormal experiences and ideas and did a great deal of flirting with the therapist, Leslie Armstrong, who openly supported his paranormal ideas and seemed to enjoy his flirting. Stern and cast criticized Armstrong for flirting and enabling his beliefs in aliens rather than helping him.

References in other media[link]

• On their 'The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness' Album, Jedi Mind Tricks released a song titled 'Books of Blood: The Coming of Tan' featuring El Eloh. The track is about aliens and features a short speech by Martin.

See also[link]

• Howard 101
• Abduction phenomenon
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• Extraterrestrial life in culture
• UFO
• Grey alien
• Coast to Coast AM
• Reptilians

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Riley Martin

• Home of ToddCast.Tv Podcast Riley Martin and Todd on A View of the Universe podcast
• Riley Martin.com
• The Riley Martin Show
• Official Riley Martin Forums
• Pay Riley Martin
• The Riley Martin Soundboard
• Riley Martin on The Jerry Springer Show (video)
• RileyMartinizer.com – Translates web pages and text into "Riley-Speak"
• Lyrics for 'Books of Blood: The Coming of Tan' by Jedi Mind Tricks

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Brian Springer is an American television director and producer, and new media artist born in 1959.

Brian Springer spent a year searching for footage grabbing back channel news feeds not intended for public consumption. The result of his research was Spin. This 1995 feature length documentary gives an insight into the perception of how television is used to try to control and distort the American public's view of reality.^[1] Springer produced Spin as a followup to Feed (1992), for which he also provided raw satellite footage.

In 2007, Springer released another documentary, The Disappointment: Or, The Force of Credulity.^[2]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Brian Springer in the Video Data Bank
• Brian Springer at the Internet Movie Database

Watch[link]

• Illegal Art Exhibit collection (2002), watch online or download from Archive.com - click here to download only spin, choose either .mp4 of .ogv files.

This biographical article related to television in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article about a United States film director born in the 1950s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Benny the Bull, commonly known as Benny, is the mascot of the Chicago Bulls, a role he has filled since 1969.^[1]

Biography[link]

For more than 40 years, Benny the Bull has been entertaining Chicago Bulls fans, first at Chicago Stadium (1969–1994), and then at the United Center (1994–present). He has become just as popular as some of the franchise's most notable figures, such as players Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, and head coach Phil Jackson. Benny is one of the longest-tenured mascots in the NBA and in all of professional sports. Benny was named after Ben Bentley, the Bulls first Public Relations Manager and Stadium Announcer.

Costume[link]

The Benny the Bull suit consists of a whole-body bull costume made of bright red fur with large white eyes, a tan snout, a long red tail and black gloves with red fur on the back. Over the suit, Benny wears an authentic uniform (road red/black and home whites) and team-appointed athletic shoes. His jersey bears the name "Benny" above the number "1" on the back. Benny sports several different costumes based on the theme of the game as well as his overall "mood". Benny the Bull can also do many different kinds of dances.

Duties[link]

In addition to performing stunts and entertaining the crowd at Bulls games, Benny also makes public appearances throughout the greater Chicago area on behalf of the team. Benny makes approximately 250 appearances per year. As a member of the Bulls' All-Star Reading Team, he appears at schools to promote literacy and the importance of a good education. He can also be booked for private events.^[1] Benny has also worked as a mascot on individual dates for other professional sports franchises, such as the Billings Outlaws.^[2]

Legal problems[link]

On July 2, 2006, Benny's portrayer, Barry Anderson, was arrested by an off-duty police officer while performing at the "Taste of Chicago" food festival. Dressed in the Benny the Bull costume, Anderson drove a miniature motorcycle through the festival, although he did not have a permit to do so. When the officer, who was providing security at the event, identified himself as a policeman and called on Anderson to stop, Anderson fled. The officer pursued on foot, and when he caught up with Anderson, Anderson allegedly attempted to punch him in the face, breaking the officer's watch and knocking off his glasses. Anderson has subsequently claimed that the actions were performed in "character", and that he did not intend to cause injury to the officer. He was arrested and charged with battery and driving within the parkway. After Anderson was arrested and charged, his costume was returned to the United Center.^[3] The charges were later dropped after Anderson agreed to pay the cost to fix the officer's glasses.^[4]

In other media[link]

Benny is one of the many secret characters featured in the video game NBA Jam Tournament Edition. Along with him, three other NBA mascots appear in the game: the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, Charlotte Hornets' Hugo and Minnesota Timberwolves' Crunch.

The late punk musician Wesley Willis did a song about him called "Benny the Bull".

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b} "Benny the Bull Bio", NBA.com, accessed July 5, 2006.
2. ^ "Outlaws' O-line sackless on season", Mike Zimmer, the Billings Gazette, published June 24, 2006, accessed July 5, 2006.
3. ^ "Benny the Bull arrested at Taste of Chicago", Annie Sweeney, the Chicago Sun-Times, published July 3, 2006, accessed July 5, 2006.
4. ^ "Charges dropped against Bulls mascot", AP, the Chicago Tribune, published September 1, 2006, accessed September 1, 2006.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Benny the Bull

• Benny the Bull on NBA.com