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Year:   1998
Studio: Artisan Entertainment/
        Kushner-Locke Company

Movie:  2/5
DVD:    3/5

Teaser

Angel Zorzak (Jaime Pressly) is having an affair with her step-dad Rusty (The American Ninja himself, Michael Dudikoff). In retaliation, Angel's mom Connie (Molly Hagan) starts an affair with Angel's fiancee Willie (Ashley Holbrook). Then Connie finagles them all onto Jerry Springer's (played by himself) show (not "The Jerry Springer Show" since the movie has no affiliation with the show as they claim in the end credits). And you thought it was all made up.

Movie

"Ringmaster" is a movie about the backstory to a Jerry Springer episode. A messed up trailer-trash family decides that being on television is worth airing out their dirty laundry. This only brings them into conflict with each other and with the other guests. It's a funny movie and the thing is, it does give a plausible explanation of why people would intentionally go on such a show. There is nudity, there is sex, there is both Jaime Pressly and Molly Hagan giving head. What more could you want in a movie?

Actors

Jaime Pressly with her southern accent and good looks plays a convincing white-trash girl. Molly Hagan plays a mom who has a lot of emotional issues, a far cry from playing Sensitivity in "Herman's Head". I recognized Michael Dudikoff but I couldn't figure out what his name was and what I'd seen him in until I saw the credits. Jerry Springer comes off in a sympathetic light playing himself. Ashley Holbrook did a good job in his first role (he was a camera guy for the movie who was cast in the role at the last minute).

DVD

Neil Abramson delivers the Director's Commentary in a friendly tone and with good descriptions. The movie is in television wide-screen format. The theatrical trailer and a music video are also included in the DVD.

Recommendations

I'd watch this movie for Jaime Pressly. It's not an awful movie but not really my cup of tea, though paradoxically I did enjoy watching it. If you don't think you'll like it then don't watch this movie.
Copyright (c) 2003 Kevin C. Wong
Page Created: November 30, 2003 Page Last Updated: November 30, 2003