The Jerry Springer Show ends after 4,000 episodes

It's a quiet ending for a show that created shockwaves throughout its 27 years.

The Jerry Springer Show — which within the past few months aired programs with such titles as "Catfished by a Little Person," "Stop Pimpin My Twin Sister," and "Cold-Hearted Convicts" — has stopped filming new episodes, it was unceremoniously announced this week. Since its debut in September 1991, The Jerry Springer Show has produced 4,000 episodes. The talk show is syndicated, and NBC Universal said the CW and other networks will continue to air reruns.

Producers are dangling a carrot to fans, saying that "there is a possibility" that original episodes could be ordered in the future. While the show is known for its outrageous guests, gratuitous violence, and overall crassness, it's not making as big of an impact in a world dominated by reality TV shows. Springer "was lapped not only by other programs, but by real life," television historian David Bianculli told The Associated Press.

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