Students at Northwestern University School of Law are flipping out on the dean for allowing this year's graduating class to be addressed by pioneer whore-loving politician and scuzz TV host Jerry Springer. But Dean David Van Zandt says: "Mr. Springer is an alumnus who has held public office as a city council member and mayor of Cincinnati. We look forward to his participation," according to legal blog Above the Law.

Mid-tempest, a tipster to the blog, claiming to be both a Northwestern law student and a legal intern on the show, writes in with some background and defends Jerry as a commencement speaker:

The people on the show are not being exploited—they are there willingly, and they know exactly what they are getting into (I know this because [redacted] and I have personally read and explained legal releases to every single one of them). From the "riot lesbian" to the "kung-fu hillbilly" to the pole dancers we hire for special occasions—they are entertainers, they are enjoying themselves, and they are well compensated for their time.... Despite the fact that Jerry Springer's best-known contributions have not been legal, there is no doubt that his Northwestern education has contributed to his success in the marketplace.

At post time, a poll on the site suggested almost 80 percent of respondents support the decision to book Jerry for the commencement address. Or maybe they're just hoping someone's top gets ripped off in a catfight.