By focusing on bizarre or sensationalistic topics such as cult members or serial killers, talk shows such as Jerry Springer can depict abnormal elements of society as typical. The effect can give viewers the impression of a problem or subculture vastly out of proportion to its actual prominence.
In order to fit within the confines of television formatting (one-hour or 30-minute running times), talk shows may gloss over important yet complex issues. As a result, such issues may seem far simpler or more one-sided than they actually are.
The recurring use of outlandish or puerile topics on talk shows--such as "Neo-Nazi Girlfriends" or "My Son Married My Rapist"--has a way of numbing viewers. That tends to make them less responsive to more substantive topics which appear in the same format.
Talk shows and reality shows are often very cheap to produce, yet may earn higher ratings than scripted shows. This has a way of pushing excellent scripted shows off the air--witness Jay Leno's planned takeover of a large chunk of prime time NBC programming in 2009.
Guests who appear on some talk shows may believe they are participating in a serious debate on issues which affect them very deeply. In fact, talk shows such as Jerry Springer, Richard Bay and Sally Jessy Raphael--often intend only to parade them in front of the crowd for sensationalistic thrills, without giving them a chance to speak their piece in a respectful and dignified manner.