Geraldo is an American first-run syndicated talk show that was hosted by Geraldo Rivera. The show ran for eleven seasons from September 7, 1987, to May 8, 1998, in which it broadcast 2,163 episodes. The show premiered as a tabloid talk show, in which Rivera moderated single-issue panel discussions with everyday people. Guests discussed their personal experiences over a given topic, often controversial or sensational, with Rivera placing a heavy emphasis on audience interaction. For its final two seasons, the show reformatted into a news-oriented program under the title The Geraldo Rivera Show. The show's first three seasons were taped at the Rialto Theatre; production then relocated to CBS Broadcast Center, where the show was taped for the remainder of its run.
| Geraldo | |
|---|---|
 Logo used from 1987 to 1996 | |
| Also known as | The Geraldo Rivera Show |
| Genre | Talk show |
| Directed by | Don McSorley |
| Presented by | Geraldo Rivera |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 11 |
| No. of episodes | 2,163 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Production locations |
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| Running time | 42–43 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Syndication |
| Release | September 7, 1987 – May 8, 1998 |
The show was produced by Investigative News Group and Tribune Entertainment, the latter of whom also served as its distributor. Rivera was offered his own talk show after he hosted the Tribune Entertainment television special The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults, which was the highest-rated syndicated show in television history. The show received high ratings in the early 1990s; however, it suffered a decline in ratings following its reformat. The show was canceled in 1998.[1]
Production
editTopic selection
editIn its first few seasons, the show featured controversial topics, such as "Men in Lace Panties", "Kids Who Murder in the Name of Satan", "When the Other Woman Is a Man", and "Teens Who Trade Sex for Drugs".[2] However, Rivera claimed that the show's topics had become "positively G-rated" by 1994.[3]
Guest and audience recruitment
editThe show provided counseling to some guests.[4]
According to executive producer Martin Berman, "The audience can take an otherwise ordinary show and make it extraordinary. They can often be better than the people we have booked. And that's because they are the only thing we can't plan."[5]
Broadcast history and release
editThe show was placed in first-run syndication in the United States, and it premiered on September 7, 1987.[6] The show's final episode was broadcast on May 8, 1998; it was a retrospective of both the show and Rivera's broadcasting career.[7] The show broadcast a total of 2,163 episodes.[8]
Controversy
editOn November 3, 1988, an episode involving white supremacists, Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice, black activists, and Jewish activists was aired. A confrontation between John Metzger (the son of Tom Metzger) and Roy Innis (in which Metzger goaded Innis by referring to him as "Uncle Tom") led to Innis walking over showing signs of aggression and forcefully grabbing Metzger by the neck after Metzger stood up, and subsequently, a full-scale brawl broke out. Audience members, several stage hands, and Rivera himself got involved. In the process, Rivera was struck in the face by a chair and wound up with a nasal fracture. He did not press charges, saying he did not wish to be "tied up with the roaches", and also claiming "if there ever was a case of deserved violence, this was it".[9] The ratings for this show increased as news of the fight attracted attention to the episode even before it aired.
In August 1992, Rivera scuffled with KKK members again at a Klan rally in Janesville, Wisconsin. Rivera suffered cuts and a bite to his left thumb.[10][11][12]
References
edit- ^ Rosenberg, Howard (December 1, 1993). "Doc Hollywood Takes a Scalpel to the Viewers Again Television: The 'first-ever televised sex-change operation in talk-show history as far as we know' on 'Geraldo' is oversold, overblown and overcooked". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ^ "By the Numbers: 10 Topics Discussed on 'Geraldo'". Los Angeles Times. February 12, 1990. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024.
- ^ Alter, Jonathan (November 5, 1995). "Next: 'The Revolt of the Revolted'". Newsweek. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024.
- ^ Shales, Tom (March 19, 1995). "We're Mad as Hell ... At Daytime TV, Getting Sleazier by the Minute". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023.
- ^ Mirabella, Alan (February 16, 1989). "Newest TV Star? It's the Audience". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Alex (September 6, 1987). "'Geraldo' Gambles on Talk". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023.
- ^ Dempsey, John (April 24, 1998). "'Geraldo' to exit with retro". Variety. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024.
- ^ Bauder, David (May 8, 1998). "Geraldo's Daytime Farewell". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017.
- ^ "Geraldo Rivera's Nose Broken In Scuffle on His Talk Show". The New York Times. November 4, 1988.
- ^ "TV Host Geraldo Rivera Fights With Klansman, Both Arrested - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. May 7, 2001. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- ^ When Geraldo comes to town: KKK fight put Janesville in national spotlight
- ^ Charges against Geraldo Rivera dropped