Ricki began by introducing Shannon, a girl who claimed her best friend Keisha sleeps around too much. Then Keisha came out and accused Shannon of being the one who sleeps around too much. They spent an entire segment arguing. A dramatic pause. The audience erupts.
Conflict is a key element on the new breed of talk shows.
Physical fights seem to break out on Ricki Lake's show more frequently than at hockey games. These conflicts are not always mere arguments between friends or family members. Often, there are clear- cut good guys whom the audience is supposed to cheer and bad guys whom the audience boos. These episodes resemble the low- brow morality plays of professional wrestling. Pro wrestling, in fact, had its origins in the carnival.