Jenny Jones (presenter)
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| Jenny Jones | |
| Born | Janina Stranski June 7, 1946 Bethlehem, Palestine |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Talk Show Host, Awards Presenter, Comedienne, Singer |
| Years active | 1969 -present |
Jenny Jones (born Janina Stranski on June 7, 1946) is an American talk show host and tv presenter. Born to Polish immigrant parents, Jenny grew up in London, Ontario, Canada and is a talk show host who hosted The Jenny Jones Show from 1991 to 2003. Jenny was born in Bethlehem, Palestine.
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[edit] Women's Health Advocate
Jones was an honorary chairperson for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Chicago Race for the Cure, an annual event that raises awareness and money for breast cancer research. Jones also donated a mobile mammography motor coach to Cook County Hospital. [1]
[edit] Controversy
On an episode called "Same-Sex Secret Crushes" taped on March 6, 1995, a gay man named Scott Amedure confessed his love for his friend, Jonathan Schmitz. While on the show, Schmitz reacted with laughter, but he became disturbed by the incident later. He had a history of mental illness and alcohol/drug abuse. Three days after the show's taping, Schmitz killed Amedure, was later convicted of second degree murder and received a sentence of 25–50 years in prison. The episode was never aired.
Amedure's family then sued the producers of The Jenny Jones Show, saying they should have known about Schmitz's mental illness history. In interviews, Jones said her producers told Schmitz that his admirer could be a man, but Schmitz maintained that they misled him into thinking it would be a woman. While under oath, Jones admitted that the show didn't want Schmitz to know that his admirer was a man. Amedure's family won the initial ruling, and the show was ordered to pay them $25 million. The verdict was later overturned by the Michigan appellate court. The case is now studied in law school tort classes because of the legal significance of saying the show's producers were not responsible for guests' safety after they had left the studio.
[edit] Parodies
On the comedy sketch show MADtv, cast member Mo Collins would often do skits in which she acted as Jenny Jones; poking fun at her high voice, chuckle, the cadence of her voice and her extreme politeness. For example, scolding her booing audience with "No! That's not, not, not nice, No!" while smiling.
On Saturday Night Live, former cast member Rachel Dratch parodied Jenny Jones in 1999.
[edit] Filmography and TV appearances
- Jenny Jones
- Hollywood Squares
- Match Game Jenny appeared as a contestant on an episode of Match Game taped approximately 1978. During the introduction with Gene Rayburn, she identified herself as "Jenny Wilburn, originally from London, Ontario, Canada." She also stated she had unique birthplace, "Bethlehem, Israel." When pressed, Jenny said her parents were in the Polish Army and had been discharged in Bethlehem.
- Wisecracks
- Man of the Year
- Press Your Luck
