Our Sincerest Wishes For A
shows," he said. "I also think
that the media in general has
made a big difference in this
area."
Of course there are some
shows that Mr. Rivera would
rather forget. "Al Capone was
the most embarrassing," he
said, referring to his much-
touted opening — on live TV
— of what was purported to be
the gangster's safe. The safe
was virtually empty.
"As far as the most
outrageous goes, I call them
bedroom shows, I guess I
would have to say it was 'Men
who wear lace panties and
the women who love them.' "
Despite the fact that Mr.
Rivera seems spontaneous on
the air, he prepares diligent-
ly for each show. "I study for
each show just like I studied
in law school for each test. It
is very important to be fully
briefed," he said.
Mr. Rivera took issue with
other talk-show hosts who
don't go to the same trouble,
"like Larry King, who says he
never reads the book because
he wants to be totally un-
prepared and uninformed,
and then he asks the same
kinds of questions that the
audience would ask. I don't
buy that. I think you have to
be very prepared, otherwise
you risk wasting your — and
the audience's — time."
The panelists, however, do
not prepare for the shows. In
fact, Mr. Rivera said he
seldom meets with them
before taping.
The topics of "Geraldo" are
varied and unique. Mr. Rivera
said the ideas for his shows
come from a number of
sources. "I think we are very
'60s. We are like an old-style
newsroom with a lot of discus-
sion."
In addition to the more _
than 200 letters filled with
story ideas that the show
receives each day, and the
phone calls from his "1-900
Speak Up" line, which rings
every 20 seconds, Mr. Rivera
and his staff spend endless
hours brainstorming and tur-
ning ideas into programs.
When asked how his
Judaism has influenced his
style of reporting, he said,
"The more telling part of that
question is how it influences
me. Rather than influencing
my style, it influences the
man I am.
"I think that there is the
tradition of sharing and com-
passion. The tradition of
sticking up for the underdog.
The tradition of if it's two
against one, be on the side of
the one. I have a sensibility I
treasure, as I do my privacy,
and I think that comes from
my Jewish values." ❑
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.
TO ALL OUR FRIENDS
From
May the tree of life
be filled with
health and happiness
for you and your family
on the New Year
ALBAN'S RESTAURANT HUNTER & MAPLE TELEGRAPH & MAPLE
11 E HOTEL BAKO\ LITE
188 N. Hunter Blvd.
Phone: 258-5555
Phone: 258-5788
Fax: 258-DANA
'"XIAM.SA
__L
Y
Management and Staff
Located at Twelve Oaks Mall, 27790 Novi Road, Novi, Mich.
349.6666
A Very
Happy and
Healthy
New Year
To All Our friends and Family
The Goldsmith Family
of
New
York Bagel
Celebrating Our 70th Year
WE
CAN'T
RUN
ON
EMPTY.
TO ALL OUR
FRIENDS & PATRONS
Best Wishes For A
lanam i
ZEE%
A
rHOENIEIH
•••
6535 Telegraph Rd.
Phone: 646-6484
Best Wishes
To Our
Customers & Friends
For A
Happy, Healthy
and Prosperous
New Year
• Sameer and Leila Eid
588 S. Woodward • Birmingham • 644.3122
bc
n
Pv6oe
►
Chinese American Restaurant
OtM e
Wishes It's Customers & Friends
A Most Joyous & Healthful New Year
PLEASE WATCH FOR THE OPENING OF
OUR NEW.. LOCATION IN SEPTEMBER
AT SUGAR TREE SQUARE
6257 ORCHARD LAKE RD., WEST BLOOMFIELD
4067 W. Maple, Just E. of Telegraph 642-8386
Healthy & Happy
NEW YEAR
GIVE BLOOD
Our Hearty Wishes To
CHUCK
JOSEPH'S
PLACE FOR STEAK
American
Red Cross
2555 W. 12 Mile Rd.
at Coolidge
399-6750
Everyone For A
Healthy and Happy New Year
KABOB GRILL
557-5990
29702 SOUTHFIELD RD. AT 121h MILE (In Southfield Plaza)
34637 Grand River, Farmington
442.9490
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
135