Jeremy Kyle vs. Jerry Springer

Jeremy Kyle was welcomed onto our TV screens with open arms a few years ago, hailed for his "no nonsense" approach and reinvention of British talk show culture. Viewers relished the fact that he actually argued with his guests instead of trying to be their "new best friend" like our old favourites, Sally Jesse Raphael and Trisha (who was promptly moved over to channel five).

But we’ve once again followed our "build them up to knock them down" routine, as we’ve done with so many other "celebrities". This time, it’s the Tories who’ve taken a shot, claiming that Britain is in danger of a "Jeremy Kyle culture", with too many people failing to acquire a substantial education and bring up a legitimate family.

Fair enough, but why drag Kyle into the equation?

Probably because he’s so well known now, from his "You’re a disgrace and a cheat, madam!" comments, to his infamous lie detector tests, that he’s the only way that the Conservatives can relate to us!

It was meant to be pure entertainment, but has somehow now crossed over into politics, and it’s becoming an issue of entertainment vs. reality.

We watch shows like "The Jeremy Kyle Show" because it presents to us a world that isn’t too far from our own, a world of divorce, one-night-stands, teenage pregnancies and drug or alcohol abuse. Most of us can relate to the guests, (or remain utterly shocked and disgusted at the thought of living such a lifestyle). Either way, our acceptance to the way we live and of our own values is reinforced.

But Kyle’s "smacks on the backsides" don’t seem to be working, and Conservative blogger Steve Green describes these daily antics as a "freak show" and a "blood sport". He explains his outrage at the amount of "bleeping" that occurs throughout the show to cover up the swearing, (this coming from a guy who uses the word "crap" in his blog). If Steve really wants something to complain about, he should take a look at our friends across the pond.

American talk show "Jerry Springer" is much worse than "Kyle" for the amount of swearing. In fact, it’s often unclear what the guests are actually arguing about due to continuous bleeping. They even have to "fuzz out" a large proportion of the show because of the amount of boobs and bums their guests seem to enjoy exposing.

Atleast Kyle tries to get to the route of the problem and offers counselling afterwards; Springer just stands there with a smile on his face, letting the bodyguards do all the legwork for him.

The Conservative’s argument stands that there’s a substantial "lack of male role models" in this country, with too many "unemployed, welfare-dependent, drug-dealing men". But let’s try not to get confused over the difference between entertainment and politics.

Let politics be politics, and let Jeremy Kyle stick to what he does best – entertain!