"Jerry Springer - The Opera," the rude and often raucous British musical take on American tabloid television, got two thumbs up from the real Jerry Springer, who called the West End show, "phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal." Springer spoke at Monday's lavish party following the commercial bow of the $4.2 million musical, which premiered in April at the state-funded National Theatre to rave reviews.

The hit stage show "Jerry Springer - the Opera" is staying in London, with top ticket prices kept low to encourage a younger audience, theater officials said Friday.