Jerry Springer needs a pep talk. A good one. The TV ringmaster/radio talk-show host/former mayor of Cincinnati is dreading his debut on the third season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," premiering Sept. 12. In his opinion, he's not young enough (at 62), hip enough or flexible enough — and won't last but a nanosecond on the dance floor.
Springer, guided by partner Kym Johnson, a professional dancer, will face off against a collection of 10 celebs of varying wattage. Among them: Vivica A. Fox, Harry Hamlin, Tucker Carlson of MSNBC, former beauty queen Shanna Moakler, three-time Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith, Mario Lopez and '90s teen idol Joey Lawrence.
In an interview, Springer talked about taking on Tucker, learning to dance and his desperate need of a self-esteem boost.
The Associated Press: A lot of people are commenting, "What — Jerry Springer's on that show?"
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Springer: This is not a combo you would have put together. It wasn't the first name people thought of when they said, "Who'd be a good dancer?" . . . When I met (Johnson), she said, "Well, what do you wanna work on?" And I said, "The only thing you gotta know is CPR." There's no one within 30 years of my age. There's no chance, unless they have an old-man division.
AP: Well, John O'Hurley won the first season.
Springer: For each one, they get one old guy. I'm the guy. I'm so honored! It's gonna be — everything hurts. My hair hurts.
AP: How rigorous is the dance training?
Springer: Well, understand: For me, standing is rigorous. . . . It's exercise, and I'm certainly not used to that. But so far, I'm breathing.
AP: You need a better attitude!
Springer: I know! I'm trying. Everybody's telling me that, but it's just reality. You got all these young people and they've had good training, they're talented, they're good-looking, their bodies are really cut. My body's in shape, but the shape is a circle.
AP: How do you think you'll stack up against Tucker Carlson?
Springer: Well, you know, he'll whip me. . . . Let's be honest. First of all, he's 25 years younger than I am. Secondly, he probably went to all these good Eastern schools. He probably went to the cotillion ball.
AP: How did you get involved with this?
Springer: I don't know. Someone was drinking apparently. . . . I guess the final thing was my daughter, Katie, is getting married in December. And so we talked it over and I said, "Wouldn't it be great if I knew how to dance at my daughter's wedding?" That I wouldn't step on her train or feet. So that's my goal.
AP: So, really, what's going to happen that first show?
Springer: Here's what I think's gonna happen. All right, so the dance starts and I miss a step — which is likely — then all of a sudden, you can't stop and start over. You gotta catch up because it's choreographed. So that's my nightmare. That I've missed a step, I'm trying to catch up and I never catch up to what she's doing. And I'm just out there flailing away.
AP: When you are not dancing, you wear so many hats. What's your favorite?
Springer: Well, my biggest passion is politics . . . that's what I really get into. The rest I enjoy, but that's how I make my living. It's not my passion, it's just what I do.
AP: How long do you plan to do your TV talk show?
Springer: For about another 73 years, then I'm gonna stop. I have no idea.
● "Dancing With the Stars" season premiere airs at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 on ABC.
