Jerry Springer was a pioneer in polygraph tests on television. This seventy year old man still maintains very regular ratings and viewers, but a new leader is emerging. Maury Povich is now starting to gain more viewers over Springer, and his show is on the rise after 16 years of being on the air.
“Maury” is on every weekday for three hours. Once at nine, ten, and four. There are recurring themes throughout every episode. A usual episode features a polygraph test, a paternity test, or shocking sex secrets. Throughout all 21 seasons, over 800 paternity tests have been given by the DNA Diagnostic Center, or DDC. In the beginning, the show actually focused on controversial news topics such as g
angs and drugs. It occurred to the crew to change the show to keep up with the trends.
On a typical episode, a mother will bring her potential father to the show and will complain about how he has not supported “his” child. After a few minutes of debating and fighting, Maury will be handed the manila envelope upon which everything depends on. Once Maury opens this, the tension rises tremendously. Then, Maury will either say “You ARE the father,” or “You are NOT the father!” The negative answer is what the audience hopes for. While the mother runs off the stage embarrassed, the man who just found out he is free celebrates by doing backflips and getting high fives from the audience.
The polygraph tests are also very common. To be completely honest, hearing the reasons why a partner is suspicious is very entertaining. On one occasion, a woman actually called the church her husband allegedly went to because she convinced herself he was going to another woman’s house. Plot twist – he was actually at the church and he was proven to not be a cheater. On the episode, each partner will be able to explain why he/she is suspicious and the other one gets to explain their excuses. Maury either says “You’re telling the truth,” or he reveals “That was a LIE.” Again, the audience appreciates the negative answers more.
I love watching Maury. However, it is pathetic how many people do not know who the father of their child is. Maury has done over 800 paternity tests, so that means over 800 women did not remain faithful, and their child was the result of this. It’s okay to bring your child on if she or he is only a baby. They won’t remember the experience, and they are completely oblivious the whole time. When the child is three or older, then it gets sad. That child can hear everything, and it may remember that. Imagine if you were the toddler hearing the man that you adored and called “Daddy” actually is not related to you at all. Granted, kids at that age do not understand, but the parents should be wise enough to not expose their child to this.
Not everyone loves Maury and his show. People share the same views as I do, that it is very embarrassing for the child more than the parents. I have nothing to say about the cheating episodes, because someone who does that deserves to get caught. But when it comes to getting a child involved, especially a child who was never even planned, people do not deserve to be called parents. Whether you love or despise the show, it has been on for 18 years and is still going strong. So, sadly, people will continue to lie and not be the father.
