The show ran for twelve seasons from September 16, , to May 21, , in which it broadcast over 2, episodes. Taped at the NBC Tower , the show premiered as a traditional talk show, with a focus on cooking, fashion, and celebrities. However, it reformatted into a tabloid talk show for its second season, where its focus shifted to single-issue panel discussions with everyday people.
Guests discussed their personal experiences over a given topic, which often involved relational transgressions. These discussions were moderated by Jones, who placed a heavy emphasis on audience interaction. The show frequently featured music performances during makeover segments or at other breaks in the show. Domestic Television Distribution. It was conceived as an alternative to the tabloid talk shows of the early s, with producers hoping to replicate the success of Jones's nightclub act Girls' Night Out.
Prior to its premiere, the show received a six-week trial run under the title Just Between Us. The show received the largest launch in syndicated talk show history, although its first season was met with modest ratings. After it reformatted, the show became one of the highest-rated talk shows of the s. It was canceled in following a general decline in popularity of the tabloid talk show subgenre.
The show received a positive reception from television critics upon its premiere, with some citing it as the best new daytime talk show of However, it experienced a negative reception after its reformat, with criticism directed at its sensational topics and purported exploitation of guests.
In , the show became subject to a national media frenzy after a guest murdered another guest three days after an episode's taping. The show prevailed in a highly-publicized negligence lawsuit filed by the victim's family, and a national discussion over shock value and tabloid television ensued. The show has influenced other television shows, films, and plays, and it launched the careers of celebrities such as Rude Jude.
