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Remember Geraldo Rivera? This guy used to be everywhere in the 1980s and 1990s.

Posted by DieMensch-Maschine@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 231 comments

Remember Geraldo Rivera?  This guy used to be everywhere in the 1980s and 1990s.
What are your thoughts on the legacy of this guy? We're talking about someone who gave rise to trash TV, whipped up the "satanic panic" and reveled in manufactured Reagan-era moral outrages like the "toddlers dialing 1-900 dial-a-porn telephone numbers."

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231 Comments

mike10018@reddit

Does anyone out there remember the married couple that were attorneys who were on frequently? They were awful. Their names escape me.
View on Reddit #84491837

narcowake@reddit

Surprised that he became so Fox News conservative… was he always so ? Wasn’t his ex father in law Kurt Vonnegut? Still think that the anti racist vs Klan brawl was the best all time fight on TV
View on Reddit #73720563

deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]
View on Reddit #75154869

GenX-ModTeam@reddit

No Politics - Political posts or comments of any sort are not permitted outside of moderator created threads. If you wish to have political discussions, you may do so on our other sub r/GenXPolitics. Breaking this rule may result in bans, either temporary or permanent. Before you make the claim: No, providing respite from political discussions does not infringe on your rights. Also, this politics ban was put before the sub over a year ago, and members have spoken.
View on Reddit #75154870

PoppaDaClutch@reddit

My uncle was on his show growing up. He got struck by lightning and survived. There were other guests on the panel with him. Is there any way someone can find the episode or give me a link to episode history? Love to see it.
View on Reddit #74586533

Responsible-Middle35@reddit

That chair came at him from across the stage. It had only one target lol. I used to have the ep recorded on vhs.
View on Reddit #73923923

LollipopGirl923@reddit

I'm so glad I didn't fall for the Al Capone nonsense. How many wasted that precious time and ended up disappointed? He was all about the ratings and nothing else. He was the inventor of "Trash Talk TV".
View on Reddit #73895285

LollipopGirl923@reddit

I'm so glad I didn't fall for the Al Capone nonsense. How many wasted that precious time and ended up disappointed? He was all about the ratings and nothing else. He was the inventor of "Trash Talk TV".
View on Reddit #73895258

WrenchMonkey47@reddit

Real name: Jerry Rivers. He changed his name to sound more ethnic. Total tool.
View on Reddit #73810011

PFAS_All_Star@reddit

Well that’s another showbiz first. What an innovator!
View on Reddit #73881202

ziggurat29@reddit

Oh, he's still around.
View on Reddit #73812042

Funny-Nature-4602@reddit

That SOB got me with the Al Capone Vault bull💩
View on Reddit #73792762

Aliadream@reddit

I remember that! I was laughing so hard because my grandmother was so invested and made us all watch the opening of the vault.
View on Reddit #73800038

So3Dimensional@reddit

Isn’t that Douchebag Jones?
View on Reddit #73797278

Jagg811@reddit

Ruined any credibility he ever had as a journalist by going to Fox.
View on Reddit #73597507

dworkylots@reddit

Did y'all used to think of him as credible? Always kinda placed him between Springer and Oprah so where Phil Donahue hung out. Never took him seriously though.
View on Reddit #73597850

Jagg811@reddit

I am an old person and remember when he first started out. Believe it or not he was a credible journalist until he sold out for fame and fortune.
View on Reddit #73760845

dworkylots@reddit

Jimmy Hoffa disagrees.
View on Reddit #73778417

dangerpoint@reddit

His early, early work was really important. His piece on the abuse and conditions at Willowbrook State School was great journalism; the kind we don't see anymore, unfortunately.
View on Reddit #73599789

LowerSuggestion5344@reddit

Was sick and at home from school and watched him taking a chair to the face..
View on Reddit #73778312

Taira_Mai@reddit

He promoted the "Satanic Panic" bullshit even though it was fake - one author who his man interviewed has been exposed for lying repeatedly. He drew a map for his views during Operation Iraqi Freedom that could have exposed US troop movements. He was an attention whore - Oprah without empathy, Donahue without class. He paved the way for Jerry Springer.
View on Reddit #73610489

Background-Wolf-9380@reddit

You're right on almost all of this but I'm pretty sure that Oprah is the Oprah without empathy. Didn't she prevent people fleeing wildfires in Hawaii from even just passing through her sprawling estate and then created a "go fund me" style charity for them rather than chipping in substantially from her billions of dollars fortune? That's what I most remember about Oprah. Oprah used people just like Geraldo or Springer or Dr. Phil or Dr. Oz or any similar parasites. Just because she could pretend to care about them for the fleeting moments the cameras were on doesn't negate her overall ghoulish, narcissistic, sociopathic legacy.
View on Reddit #73745492

MyDearBrotherNumpsay@reddit

Don’t forget the “Al Capone’s safe” saga.
View on Reddit #73621772

Alltheprettydresses@reddit

My dad was deployed then. There was so much hatred for that man. He used the most creative profanity to describe him.
View on Reddit #73614789

Reasonable_Squash576@reddit

He was everywhere; and he was also almost always wrong in his assessments and opinions.
View on Reddit #73737505

Grigori_the_Lemur@reddit

Capone's vault happened and I can only see him as a total clown now.
View on Reddit #73693758

rtkane@reddit

I remember watching that live on TV when I was a kid. What a joke.
View on Reddit #73726084

melty75@reddit

I just saw him today in a documentary about the JFK assassination, where they were airing the video of the shooting on live TV. So he's been on TV the 60s.
View on Reddit #73710490

Myeloman@reddit

*Gerry Rivers*
View on Reddit #73696203

aprilmarina@reddit

I remember Horrendo Revolver much better
View on Reddit #73593140

BuckerooBanzai@reddit

Wake up America, you're dreaming!
View on Reddit #73687154

killroy1971@reddit

This guy was pushing right with nonsense stories on shows like 20/20 way before he joined Fox.
View on Reddit #73686659

GarionOrb@reddit

I remember watching that very episode where he got hit in the face with a chair.
View on Reddit #73637681

Technical_Role743@reddit

Good times, good times.
View on Reddit #73680749

MuckLyFife@reddit

Yup, by neonazis, gave him the face brace in this photo.
View on Reddit #73659671

Gloomy_Apartment_833@reddit

Remember when he drew battle formations in the sand during the first gulf war live on TV? Then got kicked out and never allowed back in?
View on Reddit #73678957

Traditional_Ad_5859@reddit

He was the voice of reason on Fox News for a bit
View on Reddit #73677661

fastcatdog@reddit

No 😝
View on Reddit #73670244

--Uberwench--@reddit

He really thought he was the bomb. Yeah, go open Al Capone's safe again, my dude.
View on Reddit #73647119

PeterTheWolf76@reddit

I was fascinated with the mob era when younger and watched that whole farce…. Might explain why Gen X is so jaded with media.
View on Reddit #73663650

Fickle-Woodpecker596@reddit

He still on Fox?
View on Reddit #73609885

CyberCrud@reddit

Hasn't been in years.  
View on Reddit #73662038

ApprehensiveTax4010@reddit

Then he became a conservative commentator. So his legacy is pretty much suck.
View on Reddit #73620758

CyberCrud@reddit

Uh... he was on CNN and Fox but he voted for Obama and Kamala.  He's just an unstable pro-gun control whack job.  
View on Reddit #73661942

whineybubbles@reddit

Why?
View on Reddit #73660070

ChatnNaked@reddit

KTVU reporter
View on Reddit #73651876

PuzzleheadedAbies678@reddit

They shut him in Al Capones vault
View on Reddit #73617029

Dirt-Track_Pinto@reddit

I love this. I remember when that wall came down and it was empty. What an idiot
View on Reddit #73632434

PuzzleheadedAbies678@reddit

Was he the idiot or genius, making us sit through an hour long god knows what that show would be only for the let down. But we were hooked
View on Reddit #73638782

Dirt-Track_Pinto@reddit

Good point. Perhaps genius because I was hooked.
View on Reddit #73645128

asscheese2000@reddit

You’re all mixed up, like pasta primavera…
View on Reddit #73590777

HubbaHubbaHubbaPoky@reddit

Yo, why'd you throw that chair.....
View on Reddit #73639007

MikeyTheMizfit@reddit

Remember when he opened a buried treasure vault on live tv. He hyped up the hell out of it for weeks. The big moment came and... nothing! It was completely empty. He looked like he was about to cry. It waa the funniest shit.
View on Reddit #73633469

Maris-Otter@reddit

I live in Cleveland Heights. He lives in the net town over. I saw him at the airport a few years back. He was wearing terrible shoes.
View on Reddit #73630598

Massive_Look8179@reddit

Fuck that guy.
View on Reddit #73630522

North_Apricot_4440@reddit

Jerry Rivers. ( real name) He ended up being Kurt Vonnegut’s son in law for a time. Kurt did not write lovingly about him.
View on Reddit #73630416

Feisty_Stomach_7213@reddit

I interfaced at work a few times with the guy who broke his nose.
View on Reddit #73586636

DenverBowie@reddit

I’d like to buy that guy a beer. And maybe a car.
View on Reddit #73592922

Feisty_Stomach_7213@reddit

No actually you probably wouldn’t also he is dead. See David Lynch.
View on Reddit #73600548

DenverBowie@reddit

Think I'll take your word on this one, friend.
View on Reddit #73625893

lefthandb1ack@reddit

You work in a prison?
View on Reddit #73592377

Feisty_Stomach_7213@reddit

No he never went to prison that I’m aware of. This was in a construction related environment.
View on Reddit #73600586

CowboyLaw@reddit

The WWF dude? I'm assuming that's what this headgear in the photo is from. I remember seeing that way back when it came out. It was funny to me then, it's even funnier now.
View on Reddit #73596542

Feisty_Stomach_7213@reddit

He appeared on Geraldo’s show in the 80s and had his nose broken by a skinhead.
View on Reddit #73600493

OneManLost@reddit

If I remember correctly, it was a chair thrown during a taping of his show with racists when a brawl broke out. Hit him in the face and broke his nose.
View on Reddit #73597134

Feisty_Stomach_7213@reddit

Bingo, the skinhead in question who broke his nose was also murdered by his friend in 2011.
View on Reddit #73600450

Aunt_Teafah@reddit

Its awesome that you posted a pic of him right after I punched him!
View on Reddit #73624112

Strange-Height-8825@reddit

"Uhhh....we're still digging". -Andrew Dice Clay
View on Reddit #73622871

Exact-Truck-5248@reddit

Big asshole. Always has been
View on Reddit #73622277

FlyingTerrier@reddit

Gerald of Riverera? The Witcher?
View on Reddit #73620766

Active-Possibility77@reddit

You're all mixed up like pasta primavera Yo why'd you throw that chair at Geraldo Rivera, man?
View on Reddit #73617729

oflowz@reddit

Isn’t he still on Fox News or did he leave after they turned on him for being Hispanic?
View on Reddit #73616999

Intelligent-Shock207@reddit

Yeah, so did leftover Tupperware..and?
View on Reddit #73616402

Dear_Statistician316@reddit

When hurricane Rita hit south east Texas it caused record breaking destruction and record flooding. Geraldo had to get in on it and he was reporting from Sabine Pass TX. It was one of the most damaged and destroyed areas hit. He was reporting on the flooding and showed him standing in over knee deep water. You could clearly see the grass and the sidewalk behind him. The idiot was standing in the ditch. Trying to appear to look like he is risking his life to get the story on live tv. Lol.
View on Reddit #73615839

jlacan45@reddit

I keep trying to remember to see if I can find that clip of him on YouTube opening up Al Capone’s vault. It’s gotta be out there, right?
View on Reddit #73606599

rocketsous@reddit

A-ha! ROAD MAPS!!
View on Reddit #73614280

gabhran5@reddit

Holy memory unlocked, Batman.
View on Reddit #73608513

Syphergame72@reddit

He even showed up at out base in Afghanistan in 2004.
View on Reddit #73613698

teachthisdognewtrick@reddit

He was the 80s equivalent of a modern influencer, and just as worthless
View on Reddit #73613307

PossibleDiscipline90@reddit

Last I heard he lives here in Cleveland. Why were stuck with him I'll never know.
View on Reddit #73602780

r4d1229@reddit

Married a lady from Shaker Hts.
View on Reddit #73613151

jd3marco@reddit

He was our ‘Dr’ Phil.
View on Reddit #73612029

ConcentrateFine7768@reddit

Asshole
View on Reddit #73610757

DreadPirateZoidberg@reddit

Absolutely, fuck this guy.
View on Reddit #73611665

lothcent@reddit

what's in the safe Heraldo?
View on Reddit #73604412

Weird-Ninja8827@reddit

Another empty bottle.
View on Reddit #73609240

Empty_Pumpkin1818@reddit

I like jerry springer more
View on Reddit #73608650

dragonslayer137@reddit

He spoke up during Katrina.
View on Reddit #73606917

tigertoothdada@reddit

Al Capone's tomb was the greatest disappointment of my youth.
View on Reddit #73582782

ScreenTricky4257@reddit

There was nothing in Al Capone's vault, but it wasn't Geraldo's fault.
View on Reddit #73606269

tigertoothdada@reddit

It WAS Geraldo's fault. You can't convince me otherwise.
View on Reddit #73606760

The_Inward@reddit

I remember watching that on TV.
View on Reddit #73596118

pocketdare@reddit

I still reference this if something turns out to be an absolute "nothing burger" as the kids say
View on Reddit #73586244

Afraid_Flan_4620@reddit

Yeah he's a twat.
View on Reddit #73606496

moonflower311@reddit

I always get him confused with John Stossel now because imo they’re both annoying blowhards now. John Stossel was better in the 80s/90s though because 20/20.
View on Reddit #73598377

DieMensch-Maschine@reddit (OP)

Stossel used to do all kinds of investigative journalist stuff, but then became an unsufferable right-wing propagandist. Geraldo Rivera apparently did some cutting edge stuff in the 1970s. Apparently, doing sensationalist slop is more profitable.
View on Reddit #73600140

pmbpro@reddit

Yes, I remember Stossel’s earlier stuff too! When I tuned in one time after a number of years of not seeing him, I couldn’t believe how different his content was! It reminded me of how in the early years, Jerry Springer did more human interest story segments in this show (including his ending monologues). Then, it all went to trash hell… The 180-degree shifts of these shows had boggled my mind; felt like whiplash.
View on Reddit #73605209

TheJokersChild@reddit

Look up his coverage of Willowbrook in the ‘70s for WABC.
View on Reddit #73600429

rickeer@reddit

He was as insufferable and arrogant as the host when he was on Celebrity Apprentice.
View on Reddit #73604324

BlmgtnIN@reddit

I watched his live show where they opened Al Capone’s vault. Dude was a fraud then, and is still a fraud today. And yes I’m old.
View on Reddit #73603592

MsCricket67@reddit

News Nation is where you’ll find him now
View on Reddit #73600700

MoistPalms@reddit

He's perfect as a FOX news host
View on Reddit #73599625

Long_Situation_5020@reddit

Probably doesn't mean much to most people here today, but I think Robert Downey jr's role in Natural Born Killers was reportedly some what based on this knob.
View on Reddit #73593125

jeffersonnn@reddit

Very much so, I can’t remember who it was who was involved in making the film, who said RD Jr interviewing Mickey on television was meant to be just like Geraldo interviewing Charles Manson — Manson running intellectual circles around Geraldo while Geraldo just keeps on saying, “Look, you’re a bad guy and I’m a good guy”
View on Reddit #73598651

Confident_Catch8649@reddit

I can do with seeing less of Him.
View on Reddit #73596969

Particular_Spirit_75@reddit

His son is dating Katy Perry
View on Reddit #73579279

Meta422@reddit

Justin Trudeau is in a relationship with Katy Perry. 
View on Reddit #73581419

pocketdare@reddit

Have you seen them in the same room?
View on Reddit #73586334

Cdn65@reddit

Yes.
View on Reddit #73596119

PAEIG@reddit

Exactly
View on Reddit #73585474

Bokononfoma@reddit

Wow, I love stuff like this. I still can't get over the fact that Tony Hawk's son married Frances Bean. That's just crazy town.
View on Reddit #73579692

One_Hour_Poop@reddit

Wat
View on Reddit #73587955

Only_Consequence6167@reddit

Its called nepo babies marry each other. Lol.
View on Reddit #73580950

zyglack@reddit

Early 2000s some guy, in his 60s, I worked with was talking about something Geraldo reported on, I said I didn't trust him. He didn't understand why. I tried explaining his show. The guy didn't care. I never have or would trust him or any network that would let him talk.
View on Reddit #73595648

KidZoki@reddit

Horrendo! Legend in his own mind.
View on Reddit #73595216

srboot@reddit

He’s still here and there just not everywhere.
View on Reddit #73594316

WriterGuyCan@reddit

Vaguely
View on Reddit #73594071

DenverBowie@reddit

I try to forget that visible panty line made flesh.
View on Reddit #73593482

BK_0000@reddit

There was nothing in Al Capone's vault, but it wasn't Geraldo's fault.
View on Reddit #73577505

handsomeape95@reddit

Baby on board Something something, Burt Ward.
View on Reddit #73581054

DenverBowie@reddit

This thing writes itself!
View on Reddit #73593057

YouMustBeJoking888@reddit

He started out building a career as someone who 'cared'. Then he realized where the money was to be made and went full on asshole. Now? He's just desperate and everyone hates him. As he deserves.
View on Reddit #73592911

Trekgiant8018@reddit

Yeah and now he's a right wing whackadoodle.
View on Reddit #73591110

Stillwater-Scorp1381@reddit

Now he’s just on Faux News shilling for fascists.
View on Reddit #73589744

LayerNo3634@reddit

Brother was serving in Afghanistan. Had to fly with him around in a helicopter. Said he was a jerk and staged a lot of fank danger. 
View on Reddit #73589599

BallzBologna@reddit

Al Capones vault was his peak.
View on Reddit #73575209

gishnon@reddit

I still remember my complete lack of surprise when they finally opened it to reveal absolutely nothing.
View on Reddit #73576246

BallzBologna@reddit

I was a major bummer, but boy were we all hooked.
View on Reddit #73581203

gishnon@reddit

Don't talk about your self like that. I don't think you're a bummer at all.
View on Reddit #73583248

BallzBologna@reddit

lol
View on Reddit #73588354

Drawn66@reddit

Remember his interview with Charles Manson in the late eighties? I’m no fan of Manson (although he didn’t actually murder anyone - just saying). but it was messed up the way Rivera handled it
View on Reddit #73576534

MyyWifeRocks@reddit

Is that what spawned Natural Born Killers?
View on Reddit #73586328

Drawn66@reddit

Who Manson? I don’t think so. Check out the dark horse Brad Pitt film entitled Kalifornia that I suspect influenced Oliver stone but who knows
View on Reddit #73586590

MyyWifeRocks@reddit

Rivera interviewing Manson. That was a big part of NBK.
View on Reddit #73586689

Drawn66@reddit

Oh, OK. Sorry about that. I edited my response to you after I reread what you said.
View on Reddit #73586744

Lego_Chicken@reddit

Horrendo Revolver
View on Reddit #73586527

Aggressive_Dot5426@reddit

Dudes 82 now. Still working
View on Reddit #73581879

pocketdare@reddit

He was on Fox recently. Not sure if he's still there.
View on Reddit #73586284

DieMensch-Maschine@reddit (OP)

He's loaded and has access to top of the line healthcare. He's working because he wants to, not because he has to. Big difference.
View on Reddit #73582434

Aggressive_Dot5426@reddit

I was just surprised he still at it. That’s all.
View on Reddit #73582680

Sean_theLeprachaun@reddit

Then he told the Iraqi army exactly where he was.
View on Reddit #73585762

FoxSquirrel69@reddit

What killed his career quicker than shit was explaining upcoming US military moves in real time on Fox news in 2003. It was soooo bad it changed how reporters operated within the US military. Needless to say his ass was kicked out of Iraq with the quickness.
View on Reddit #73583601

brumac44@reddit

I couldn't believe it while watching it live. He's sketching their position and movements on the ground. I remember yelling, they have FOX in Baghdad you idiot at the screen.
View on Reddit #73585575

lyon1967@reddit

He lives 20 minutes away from me in Cleveland.
View on Reddit #73585211

Jazzlike_Holiday1992@reddit

Now still counting his money. Count the Money!
View on Reddit #73582464

Rude-Kaleidoscope298@reddit

Isn’t he on Fox News now?
View on Reddit #73573060

MonkeyIV@reddit

He said on The Five that he was trying to do his part for the environment and was waiting for his custom electric Bentley. Greg Gutfeld just went after him for that, was basically the end for him on Fox
View on Reddit #73580328

bvglv@reddit

What did greg gutfeld say to him?
View on Reddit #73582271

El_Peregrine@reddit

Garbage manifested in human form.
View on Reddit #73574248

Rude-Kaleidoscope298@reddit

I don’t even know how anyone could take him seriously. Aside from the Capone vault, the sensationalism on his talk show should discredit him.
View on Reddit #73579115

Dieselfein@reddit

Geraldo was the bootleg version of Robert Downey Jr... IYKYK
View on Reddit #73580052

LesterMcGuire@reddit

Morton. Morton Downey jr.
View on Reddit #73581161

Dieselfein@reddit

Right, his nephew... lolol (jokes) Thanks for the catch... Was prime time tV, before or after Team Pipe Alley and Out of this world and that Teenage Super Hero thing...
View on Reddit #73581420

KTPChannel@reddit

This was the beginning of the end of talk shows. I was 12 when he got hit by the chair. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. He’s going after skinheads, they throw a chair, it hits him, they walk around “sieg hailing” all over the stage. Bad ass. Then, decades later, I heard Henry Rollins discuss the incident. Was it cool? Yes, But what did we learn? Do we know what makes people racist? Did we change anyone’s opinion? What was gained from his experience? Ratings. It was pure entertainment, but nothing of value was learned. So what drives Geraldo? Ego. He just wanted the views. This “ratings grab” is what eventually led us to Jerry Springer. All entertainment, no education. And Springer was the end of the talk show era.
View on Reddit #73578502

Bokononfoma@reddit

Donahue had to be so pissed.
View on Reddit #73579792

KTPChannel@reddit

AGREED!
View on Reddit #73580115

live_love_run@reddit

Jerry Rivers!!!
View on Reddit #73578979

PotentialLanguage685@reddit

His 2 hour satanism special is my happy place. https://youtu.be/MjVpqMHrRpU?si=OpYS8R_jkBlsouOf
View on Reddit #73578726

pinballrocker@reddit

I met him once. Unsurprisingly, he was an ass.
View on Reddit #73578708

GrimbosliceOG@reddit

The white supremacist that threw the chair that broke his nose is from my town. That's something I wish I didn't know.
View on Reddit #73578380

MaxInIrving@reddit

He thinks way too highly of himself.
View on Reddit #73575491

vegan_voorhees@reddit

What happened to his snoz?
View on Reddit #73568255

GroveGuy33133@reddit

He set up a ‘panel discussion’ on his tv show with prominent white supremacists/skinheads, Jewish, and Black (sorry dunno what’s proper to capitalize) spokespeople/ advocates. The audience was packed with a similar explosive mix. He verbally stirred the pot and then let them boil over to physical confrontation, fists were thrown, and a chair as well, which the host caught with his nose. Say what you want about the other Jerry (Springer), I don’t ever recall his staged confrontation sets ever escalating much beyond hair pulling and name calling. His ‘head security guy’ Steve Wilko even became so beloved he got his very own tv show.
View on Reddit #73575117

Flashy-Carpenter7760@reddit

Chair thrown on Jerry Springer
View on Reddit #73569242

BungenessKrabb@reddit

And it was hilarious!
View on Reddit #73569413

droppingrumpeez@reddit

Someone threw a chair at his face.
View on Reddit #73568404

fantasyjuicingxxx@reddit

A Panel member who was a skinhead, did not agree with another member and Gelraldo there, caught the chair , not paying attention!
View on Reddit #73569344

vegan_voorhees@reddit

That's... a reaction.
View on Reddit #73568949

Ok_Amoeba_804@reddit

I think he’s in Al Capone vault
View on Reddit #73570329

giggity_giggity@reddit

My brain interpreted that as Artificial Intelligence Capone
View on Reddit #73570720

RudyRusso@reddit

It's A one steak sauce vault.
View on Reddit #73574794

oscar-the-bud@reddit

Yo why’d you throw that chair at Geraldo Rivera, man?
View on Reddit #73566175

SausageEggCheese@reddit

Got more Louie than Phillip Rizzuto
View on Reddit #73574765

TruskVarner@reddit

Doris the Finkasaurus
View on Reddit #73571182

AKABrokenArrow@reddit

Haha beat me to it
View on Reddit #73568687

ImCaffeinated_Chris@reddit

I met him once at the movie theater. He used to pick up his son. He's a little man who thinks he's larger than life. But he's richer than I am.
View on Reddit #73574320

Thechoke23@reddit

He deserved that chair to the nose.
View on Reddit #73574176

LukeLovesLakes@reddit

In 1972 Geraldo broke a huge story about the Willowbrook State School in NY. That story was a big part of a revolution in how we treat disabled people in this country. Any parent of a disabled child should be grateful for that. https://youtu.be/5F7CrMAwCw4?si=ds5O-PFVWhsP-OYl
View on Reddit #73569959

TwistedMemories@reddit

It’s what came after that that makes cringe about him.
View on Reddit #73570833

LukeLovesLakes@reddit

For sure. But many people don't even know about Willowbrook and what happened there. He saved thousands of kids.
View on Reddit #73572085

Beneficial_Trip3773@reddit

You may want to look around at our homeless problem before you think he saved anybody doing that s***.
View on Reddit #73573829

LukeLovesLakes@reddit

I am talking about severely disabled children spending their entire lives naked and covered in their own feces ... WTF does that have to do with the homeless problem? The lack of care for the mentally ill is tragic, but that's not what this is about. The mentally ill don't deserve to be ignored and warehoused like animals any more than they deserve to be homeless.
View on Reddit #73574130

Kettle_Whistle_@reddit

Yeah, Geraldo was originally a quite highly-regarded investigative journalist. Then, like most of the 80s, he followed the easier money & notoriety into shilling outrage/scandal/panic/shock daytime television. Capone’s empty vault (I watched the entire disappointing broadcast, live…) was the transitional moment from integrity into ignominy. I’d say “sadly” but I think he was comforted by the $$$ he received, like MANY in the 80s.
View on Reddit #73572526

Boomslang505@reddit

Pretend tuff guy reporter
View on Reddit #73573929

Independent_Wrap_321@reddit

I’m getting tired of these dumb posts. “Hey remember landlines?” “Hey, remember going to the mall?” “Hey, remember Saturday morning cartoons?” Yes, we ALL remember, because this sub is our generation. Hey, remember posting something interesting? I don’t. Also we are grouchy now lol
View on Reddit #73567203

sumbozo1@reddit

Also, get off my lawn
View on Reddit #73567725

Independent_Wrap_321@reddit

Forgot that, but it goes without saying. Whippersnappers, all!
View on Reddit #73571465

TruskVarner@reddit

Oooh I member!!
View on Reddit #73571160

DieMensch-Maschine@reddit (OP)

Found [Grumpy Old Man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Ztdp70peU).
View on Reddit #73569843

solon_isonomia@reddit

https://i.redd.it/zm3glw70ae7g1.gif Ah ha! **ROAD MAPS!**
View on Reddit #73571215

jt2ou@reddit

Appears on News Nation noe
View on Reddit #73569827

MrBrawn@reddit

Where problematic reporters end up. That or newsmax.
View on Reddit #73570240

jt2ou@reddit

I read a lot of different news sources because, well news is weird these days. I don't particularly find their reporters to particularly problematic. Cuomo is a little out there. And Geraldo is Geraldo.
View on Reddit #73570820

beeedeee@reddit

Al Capone's vault was such a long and intense buildup and theme our to be a non event. My whole family gathered around the tube to watch and we were all disappointed.
View on Reddit #73565815

ArbainHestia@reddit

[There was nothing in Al Capone's vault, but it wasn't Geraldo's fault](https://youtu.be/n6c_zfcE5XU?si=-FGz0iHj89bHuqa6&t=8)
View on Reddit #73566455

ethenhunt65@reddit

I don't think anyone thought it was his fault but it certainly did not help his ratings.
View on Reddit #73570286

SOMEONENEW1999@reddit

Yes but the BEE-Sharps were just clarifying for him…
View on Reddit #73570568

SOMEONENEW1999@reddit

Scrolling to see if anyone posted this yet…
View on Reddit #73570520

LoanDebtCollector@reddit

I always think about that line from "Titanic"
View on Reddit #73566985

Derekblackmonjr@reddit

Jerry Rivers.
View on Reddit #73569951

ethenhunt65@reddit

Al Capone's final revenge. Lol
View on Reddit #73568422

MarkDoner@reddit

That thing really grabbed me at the time, I wanted to skip soccer practice to keep watching... Glad my parents made me turn off the TV
View on Reddit #73569856

voteblue18@reddit

That was amazing in the most non climactic way.
View on Reddit #73569393

fantasyjuicingxxx@reddit

We have gained access and are about to open the Vault of Al Capone.....
View on Reddit #73569202

DokZayas@reddit

He's a complete P.O.S.
View on Reddit #73569814

tboy160@reddit

Shill for Fox "news" now
View on Reddit #73569795

Street-Quail5755@reddit

Fox News now!
View on Reddit #73569530

72ChevyMalibu@reddit

Remember when he opened a room from Al Capone. It was majorly disappointing
View on Reddit #73568000

BungenessKrabb@reddit

Don't forget opening the safe from the Andria Doria too. Riveting 🤣🤣
View on Reddit #73569488

MatJosher@reddit

I remember the most hyped room full of dirt in TV history. I'm not even mad. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUEYhIp5SG0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUEYhIp5SG0)
View on Reddit #73568515

bargotron@reddit

You mean Jerry Rivers???
View on Reddit #73568750

Admirable_Cry_3795@reddit

Fucking Jerry Rivers; about as useful as Jerry Springer
View on Reddit #73569017

BungenessKrabb@reddit

Jerry Springer didn't pretend his show was enlightening or news. He had way more integrity than Geraldo, imo
View on Reddit #73569375

Admirable_Cry_3795@reddit

Fair!
View on Reddit #73569442

badpopeye@reddit

King of the douchebags
View on Reddit #73569280

ms_rdr@reddit

I had forgotten him until I watched Satan Wants You last night. Of course he did an episode on satanic ritual abuse, he was Geraldo. He probably later did an episode on false repressed memories.
View on Reddit #73568997

SupaDave71@reddit

He got kicked out of Iraq because he was drawing military positions in the sand on live TV.
View on Reddit #73568982

IdioticPrototype@reddit

He's still around, unfortunately. 
View on Reddit #73566254

DieMensch-Maschine@reddit (OP)

In a very diminished role. His move to FOX News basically snuffed out any star-power he had in the 1980s.
View on Reddit #73566390

MarkItZeroDonnie@reddit

Doesn’t he dissent with most of the fear mongering on Faux though ?
View on Reddit #73566824

Tom_Slick_Racer@reddit

His drawing a map showing US troop movements in Iraq on Live TV and being kicked out of the military embedded reporter started his decline. He stayed on Fox in a diminished capacity until his retirement a few years ago.
View on Reddit #73568886

Zinjifrah@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/wyi943z9zd7g1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcf04acb486f56671660c7b0c3e71139e802e92e I was more of a Morton Downey Jr fan. What a weird experience his show was in the 80's. How sad that's mostly what we have now.
View on Reddit #73566946

DieMensch-Maschine@reddit (OP)

People forget, but he used to chainsmoke on his show, and blow smoke into guest's faces.
View on Reddit #73567223

Zinjifrah@reddit

It was simply surreal. But boy, he channeled that mid-80's "NY is in a bad place" anger like no one else. The Al Sharpton vs Roy Innis fight on his show? Classic. And always too much Sliwa. Honestly, while maybe not he himself being personally influential in the scheme of things, his show seems to be to be the blueprint for every piece of media (social or otherwise) of the last 20 years.
View on Reddit #73568094

Throw8976m@reddit

I liked Maury
View on Reddit #73567268

DieMensch-Maschine@reddit (OP)

On "A Current Affair"? That show had a weird combination of investigative news and trashy scandal stories.
View on Reddit #73567876

Application-Bulky@reddit

I sat through that whole dumb Al Capone's vault special!
View on Reddit #73567651

HuckleberryFresh9834@reddit

He’s a douche canoe
View on Reddit #73566845

Puzzleheaded-Sky3141@reddit

I remember watching Sail to the Century, he sailed the world. I remember thinking, *how cool, I'd love to do that, he's a lucky guy.* Everyone hated it but I'm not sure why
View on Reddit #73566069

BloodyWellGood@reddit

![gif](giphy|mTANPe0FgBuo)
View on Reddit #73565960

zionzednem@reddit

Capone Vault was a phenomenal moment in failure. I was glued to the TV.
View on Reddit #73565770