Jerry Springer Hints at Broadway Run in Chicago

Talk show host Jerry Springer is telling a London interviewer that he’s headed for Broadway to play Billy Flynn in Chicago, according to The New York Times. Springer ended his run in the London production of the hit musical on July 11 and said he expects to have a three-week stint in New York beginning August 18. A show spokesperson could not confirm Springer’s remarks.

The Times noted that Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center is advertising Springer as the featured attraction in the touring version of the show scheduled for a September 15-20 stint at the Academy of Music. Brent Barrett is currently playing Billy Flynn on Broadway in a cast that also includes Samantha Harris as Roxie Hart and Amra-Faye Wright as Velma Kelly.

The London-born, New York City-raised Springer is known throughout the world for hosting The Jerry Springer Show, which formed the basis for Jerry Springer: The Opera. In addition to being a talk show host, Springer’s eclectic career includes being a political pundit, lawyer, award-winning newscaster, country recording artist and the mayor of Cincinnati. From 2006-2008 he hosted America’s Got Talent and was a contestant on Dancing with Stars. He is a regular speaker at college campuses across the U.S. His autobiography, Ringmaster, was published in 1998.