America’s Got Talent has got itself a new head honcho.

Jerry Springer has been tapped to take over hosting duties on the hit NBC show after Regis Philbin reportedly bowed out of repeating as the Master of Ceremonies due to the heavy travel schedule involved. Reg has to shuffle his way back and forth between L.A and NYC during the first season:

“I am absolutely thrilled that Jerry has agreed to host the next season of our show for a number of reasons, he is the perfect person for this show,” executive producer Simon Cowell said in a rare burst of kudos-offering. “I wish him—and he is going to need it!—the best of luck.”

“I’ve been around some of America’s most talented individuals on my talk show for the last 16 years, so I’ll feel right at home hosting America’s Got Talent,” Jerry said.

The new season will premiere this summer.

“Jerry Springer is the perfect ringmaster to harness all the incredibly diverse talent of America’s Got Talent under one big tent,” said Craig Plestis, senior VP of alternative programming development and specials for NBC Entertainment. “To say the least, he is known for presiding over an unpredictable show where the unexpected is the typical order of the day.”