Jerry Springer to Host GSN's New Dating Show 'Baggage'; Premieres April 19

Everyone brings baggage into a relationship-but only on GSN's new dating game show BAGGAGE do three contestants and one "dater" bring it all to the very first date! World-famous talk show host Jerry Springer-a man who has seen plenty of baggage in his 19 years as host of "The Jerry Springer Show"-makes his GSN debut as host of BAGGAGE, revealing what people are willing to put up with in the name of finding love. BAGGAGE is a daily strip show airing Monday through Friday at 6:30 P.M. ET/PT, with 40 episodes running through June 11. BAGGAGE premieres on Monday, April 19 at 6:30 P.M. (ET/PT), only on GSN.

On each half-hour episode of BAGGAGE, Springer guides the fun as one dater chooses among three contestants who reveal the intimate secrets and hidden flaws that are typically kept under wraps to impress a first date. Each contestant enters with three suitcases-small, medium and large-containing the quirky, annoying and sometimes truly shocking "baggage" that may or may not eliminate the contestants from competition, to the accompaniment of the dater's tagline, "I'm sorry, but you have too much baggage."

Can the dater handle a woman who regularly consults psychics for life advice? A 40-year old man who still lives at home with mom? What if he or she is seriously in debt-or was previously an incorrigible shoplifter? With a lively pace and a playful sense of humor, BAGGAGE lifts the lid on the quirks and foibles we all share.

"As everyone knows, I have met a lot of people with a lot of baggage in the course of my career, but this may be the funniest and most honest approach to it that I've ever seen," says Springer. "One thing this show proves is that everyone, no matter how much baggage they have, has the potential to be a winner."

Each day's competition features two elimination rounds, as well as personal conversations led by Springer in which contestants defend their baggage and describe the positive attributes (charisma, chivalry, career success) that counterbalance their defects. Finally, when just one contestant remains, it's the dater's turn to reveal his or her own baggage (adultery? obsessions? body odor?)-and the contestant must decide whether it's a deal-breaker or a forgivable flaw.

Contestants range in age from their 20s to their 40s, with same-sex pairings getting the same consideration as straight contestants. The big question is: What's your baggage? Are you a practicing witch-but also a former cheerleader? Are you a control freak-with a great personality? Have you stalked your ex on Facebook-but do volunteer work with children? Can the dater see through the baggage to the human being inside?

BAGGAGE host Jerry Springer has become a cultural and civic icon. In addition to being the host of the "Jerry Springer Show"-which will celebrate its 20th season this fall-Springer has been a political pundit, lawyer, Emmy Award-winning newscaster, country recording artist, international emcee and TV personality. He has been in movies and on Broadway (starring in productions of Chicago in London and New York). He's a progressive talk-radio broadcaster, and he won America's heart with his ballroom dancing on "Dancing With the Stars." The son of Holocaust survivors, Springer holds a law degree from Northwestern University, and is a political activist who worked on Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign and served as Mayor of Cincinnati for two terms. Springer also has hosted "America's Got Talent," both in primetime on NBC, as well as in the "live" version from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

BAGGAGE is produced by a unit of Comcast Entertainment Studios, with Jay James and Tim Puntillo serving as Executive Producers.

About GSN

GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming and competition entertainment via its 72-million subscriber television network and online game sites. GSN's cross-platform content gives viewers and participants the opportunity to win cash and prizes, whether through GSN's popular TV game shows, gsn.com's free casual games or its WorldWinner competitive cash tournaments. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN and its subsidiary, WorldWinner.com, Inc., are owned by DIRECTV and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

 

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