City Alderman Edward Burke of the Police and Fire Committee said that if the fist fights, chair-throwing and hair-pulling on the show are genuine, Chicago police should enforce the law, and haul Mr Springer's guests off to jail.

The BBC's Rob Watson: The hearing turned out to be almost as outrageous as the show itself

Security on the internationally-syndicated show is provided by off-duty Chicago police officers.

Mr Burke said the officers are required by state statute to make arrests if they see violations of the law.

But the alderman suggested that if the violence is staged, "The Jerry Springer Show" should be required to obtain a city entertainment license.

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

As the hearing got under way, some of the public audience in the court applauded Mr Springer, a former mayor of Cincinnati, when he objected to questioning.

"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" came the cry from supporters, whilst opponents of the show warned that Jesus was coming.

Mr Springer told the hearing that while some of the fights had been staged, overwhelmingly the show was real. The show he said was "outrageous chewing-gum" that the world could either live with or without, but he said it was not up to him to decide whether the on-screen brawls were illegal.

"I am not a police officer," he told the hearing. "You're asking me do I think they broke they law. I don't know, that's not my job."

Maybe, he suggested, professional ice hockey players who fight during a game should also be subject to arrest.

He refused to give details about his salary and the lease on the Chicago studio where the show is recorded saying such questions invaded his privacy.

Devil incarnate

"I don't work for you, sir," he told Alderman Burke. "I really don't ... I'm trying to be very respectful but you're not the boss," Jerry Springer said.

"I'm not a perfect person but neither am I the devil incarnate. I never, ever have been in favour of beating the hell out of someone."

And he said any guest who felt injured could file a complaint with the authorities.

Mr Burke then read from a deposition taken by one former guest who is suing the show for injuries. He said a producer told another guest before the show to "whip his ass."

In the end, the hearing was indecisive.