The NBC summer show got off to slow start when it debuted in 2006, but it was top-rated show this summer, with 12.6 million viewers on average per episode. Why are so many people watching this competition-cum-freak-show hosted by Jerry Springer? They can't get enough of the contestants, among them sword-swallowing carnival performers and cross-dressing Britney Spears impersonators.
NEXT: The Swan
NEXT: The Swan
Last updated September 11 2008: 12:01 AM ET