For 27 years, ‘The Jerry Springer Show’ was the ultimate place for drama and controversy, drawing in viewers while stirring up plenty of criticism. The Netflix docuseries ‘Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action’ dives into the wild history of the show and how it pushed the limits to become a massive hit. One of the most outrageous moments? An episode called ‘I Married a Horse,’ where a guy claimed he married a Shetland pony.
The controversial episode aired briefly in New York City before getting yanked, but not before causing a ton of outrage. For the show’s producers, the backlash wasn’t a problem—it was proof they were making waves and keeping the ratings sky-high.
Too Shocking for TV: Jerry Springer’s Infamous ‘I Married a Horse’ Episode
Few TV episodes have caused as much drama as the Jerry Springer Show’s ‘I Married a Horse.’ This crazy 1998 installment aired once before getting pulled off the air. It featured Mark Matthews, a man who claimed he ditched his wife and kids for his “soulmate”—a Shetland pony. Things got even weirder when Matthews and the pony shared an open-mouth kiss on stage, leaving the audience totally disgusted.
The episode aired in New York City but was quickly banned in other places, including Springer’s old station, WLWT in Cincinnati. A station rep called it “brutal.” The ban only made people more curious, turning this episode into one of the most infamous moments in Springer’s already outrageous career.
The story behind this infamous episode is a wild one, all about seizing the moment in the world of outrageous TV. Toby Yoshimura, a producer for the show, talked about getting an early-morning call from Matthews, who thought his bizarre story would hit home with Springer’s audience. Matthews didn’t hold back—he openly talked about his relationship with the pony and how he’d left his family for what he called “true love.”
The producers, always chasing the next big shocker, knew Matthews was a jackpot for ratings. According to the Netflix documentary ‘Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action,’ the team often worked under insane deadlines, sometimes scrambling to book guests just hours before taping. Yoshimura described the atmosphere as a total “pressure cooker,” made even worse by their rivalry with Oprah Winfrey, who called Springer’s show “appalling.” In their hunt for sensational stories, Matthews’ tale was an absolute headline-grabber.
When the episode aired, the backlash was instant and intense. People were furious, and newspapers all over the country slammed the show for crossing a line no one thought possible. In Chicago, media critic Robert Feder called it “the most vile and grotesque freak show that’s ever been on TV.” The producers might’ve seen it as a publicity goldmine, but the outrage was tough to handle. Within weeks, the episode got pulled, turning it into this forbidden piece of pop culture.
The Ban That Backfired: How Censorship Made Jerry Springer’s Wildest Episode Legendary
Ironically, the ban only made people more curious. Melinda Chait Mele, another producer, said in a Netflix documentary that the ban made everyone want to see it even more. It was one of those things people found disgusting but couldn’t stop talking about—a total “train wreck.” Even though the episode never aired again, its infamy stuck around, sparking debates about media ethics and where the line should be drawn for TV.
The ‘I Married a Horse’ episode is a perfect example of Springer’s over-the-top, anything-goes style. The Jerry Springer Show was famous for its chaotic, unpredictable ride, where no topic was too taboo if it got people watching. At its peak, the show’s ratings crushed its critics, proving that shock value usually beat out good taste. But episodes like this one pushed even die-hard fans to their limits.
As the Netflix documentary points out, the show’s obsession with outdoing itself led to moments that were just too much for some people. Springer wrapped the episode with one of his signature zingers: “You can love and admire the beauty and grace of a horse, you can pet it, you can even bet on it. But if you’re going to ride it, make sure you’re up in the saddle.” Some saw it as dark humor; others felt it summed up just how far the show had gone off the rails.
The Jerry Springer Show is one of the wildest shows in TV history — but according to former producers and guests, what happened behind the scenes was even more shocking.
Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, a new two-part documentary series, premiering January 7. pic.twitter.com/Y75jZvnEbP
— Netflix (@netflix) December 11, 2024
Although no full recordings of the episode are available today, snippets remain accessible on platforms like YouTube, where they continue to evoke both fascination and horror.
