Hi, listeners. I'm Haley Blumquist, audio editor behind the latest season of making Stories Without End.

Thanks for listening to Making. This week, we wanted to share something new from our friends from prologue projects.

Introducing Final Thoughts, the story of how Jerry Springer became Jerry Springer.

This series pulls back the curtain on a complicated legacy, built right here in Chicago through

nearly 60 interviews with the people who knew him best.

Final Thoughts is as much about politics as it is about pop culture, about how a man's ideals

collided with the spotlight and what he chose to do next.

We hope you enjoy the first two episodes here, and if you want to hear more, you can find

final thoughts

exclusively on Audible. Go to audible.com slash Springer to sign up for a free 30-day trial.

Will you state your name for the record, please?

My name is Jerry Springer.

Will you spell your last name?

By the court.

I'm saying.

S-P-R-I-N-G-E-R.

Okay.

On June 4th, 1999, the Chicago City Council Chambers turned into a stage.

It was a full house, even the balcony seats were taken, and multiple

cable networks were broadcasting the proceedings live. At the center of it all was a man in

surprisingly good spirits for someone who had been dragged in front of a government tribunal to answer

for his sins. And, uh, Mr. Springer, what is your business or occupation?

...