Nice-guy Springer gets a new gig

Back in the '90s, when Jerry Springer was the king of trash TV, we never saw this coming: a day we'd hear about a TV talent competition and say, "Hmm, Jerry Springer's hosting? Sounds good."

But that was before "Dancing With the Stars," the runaway hit show on ABC. Last year, Springer agreed to compete in the show's third season because he wanted to learn the waltz for his daughter's wedding. The nation let out a collective "Awww." And even though he didn't have a talent for the tango, Springer, 63, was a likable, modest and funny fan favorite.

Now Springer, who also is the subject of a multiaward-winning British opera (titled, appropriately, "Jerry Springer The Opera"), is the new host of "America's Got Talent," the anything-goes talent competition that returns this summer for its second season on NBC.

We talked to Springer by phone about his latest venture into reality TV.

Q: Your career has taken sort of a surprising turn in the past year. Are you surprised, too?

A: I'm totally surprised. I didn't want to do the dancing show — I don't know how to dance — but my daughter talked me into it. And I kept begging people — "Please vote me off. My legs hurt. My hair hurts." But it turned out to be so much fun, and people have been so nice to me, it's kind of embarrassing. I'm grateful, but — I'm just a schlub that tried to stay vertical.

Q: Has your success on "Dancing With the Stars" given you a whole new set of fans?

A: It's a different group, sure, absolutely. What's interesting is all the years I've been on television, doing the news and politics for 35 years, "Dancing With the Stars" was the first time I didn't play a role — it's the first time I was myself. I've always been on television either playing a crazy talk-show host or a news anchor, some kind of role. Here, there was nothing to do but be myself. I think that's what kind of surprised people.

Q: "America's Got Talent" isn't just about singing or dancing; people show off all kinds of talents. What's your favorite sort of act to watch?

A: What I love is the spirit of it. I love the idea — it is so American. That you can be sitting alone in your home and dream that — "Hey, I'm going to do that." And there's no one that says you're not allowed to. There's no one that says, "I'm sorry, you're not from an acting family."

Q: As you've been preparing to host the show, has there been a moment when you thought, "America doesn't have talent"?

A: No. The truth is, except for the one-thousandth of 1 percent in a particular field that are just way above everybody else ... there's not that much difference among most of us ...

Q: Maybe it's just that you got a chance to show the talent you have. And this show, then, gives people that same chance?

A: Everyone who's got a party trick thinks, "You know what? Next season, I'm showing up. Wait till they see me flip those bowling pins." It's fun, and there's no downside to it. You go out there and you give it your best shot, and if you fall on your face, fine. You get up. You don't lose your citizenship, they don't put you in jail, you don't lose your friends. This is America. I love it.