It seems to me that whenever I have watched it, the show relies on people revealing their relationship problems, usually involving their promiscuity, doubtful parentage, or violent or thieving tendencies. Those issues are prevalent at all levels of social class (Google Kyle himself and it seems he could be a posher participant on his own show if he wanted), it's just that the ones who are prepared to hang such dirty washing out on national TV tend to come from the poorer end of society and be less well educated and less socially aware, or interested in what others think about them. I have seen a lot of "Jeremy Kyle Show behaviour" out there off screen in real life, so I am not so sure all of the show's participants would consider themselves to be getting exploited, as many would see their own lifestyles as the norm.
However, I do think the aim of the show is to use / exploit their characteristics for a bit of sensational / outrageous TV, which is what it does, and not to be a caring helpful process as it seeks to purport. I don't think JK and ITV give a toss about the participants; an obvious consequence of the show is that people from a more stable environment will shake their heads, mock them and consider them some type of low life or underclass. I can't stand Jeremy Kyle, who does he think he is? He comes across as a pompous, self-righteous, preaching jerk. His provocative, shouting style would get most people's backs up; if he spoke to me like that I would certainly feel like telling him to eff off, and am not surprised he has been lunged at occasionally. Actually he is a bit of a s***h***e because he has to have those big burly minders to hide behind when he does so. I'd rather read a good book, watch sport or ride my bike than watch that.
