Geraldo (talk show)

Geraldo is an hour-long daytime talk show that was hosted by journalist Geraldo Rivera. == Production ==

Conception and development In 1986, Geraldo Rivera hosted ''The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults'', a live television special that centered on the unsealing of mobster Al Capone's vault at the Lexington Hotel. The special was critically panned after it was revealed that the vault was empty; however, it became the highest-rated syndicated show in television history. The success of the special led to Rivera receiving numerous offers from television syndicators. Rivera decided to host a talk show as he wanted a platform that allowed him "to affect [the audience's] lives or affect an issue or affect the TV landscape." However, Rivera claimed that the show's topics had become "positively G-rated" by 1994. Guest and audience recruitment The show provided counseling to some guests. In 1992, the show launched an aftercare referral service for guests who did not have the resources to pursue treatment of their own. 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." == Broadcast history and release ==

Geraldo was syndicated worldwide. In the United States, it was distributed by Tribune Entertainment and placed in first-run syndication on September 7, 1987. The show was broadcast on approximately 60 television stations nationwide. By January 1988, the show's coverage increased to 120 television stations and it was renewed for a second season. In January 1990, the show was renewed for another season; however, some stations waited to renew their contracts in hopes that the show would tone down its topics. The show reached the milestone of its 1,000th episode on September 21, 1992. In August 1994, Tribune Entertainment renewed the show for five more years. The show's final episode was broadcast on May 8, 1998; it was a retrospective of both the show and Rivera's broadcasting career. The show broadcast a total of 2,163 episodes. == Reception ==

Television viewership and ratings "Young Hate Mongers" averaged a 13.9 rating and a 39 share in 18 major television markets, which were "numbers virtually unheard of for daytime programs." Critical response Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times claimed that the show was "frequently dull [] and always derivative." New York listed it as one of the worst television shows of 1995. Awards and nominations == Controversy ==

On 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". 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. == Notes ==