I always knew that deep down inside Geraldo was a decent human being after his uncharacteristic (for Fox News) outpouring of grief and support for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

I read up on the guy's past and I must say it's a sketchy one. Still, one cannot ignore that he was the better man in this little confrontation. I don't see many people stand up to Bill with this kind of passion very often.

When Rivera jumped on the "Titicut Follies"-bandwagon a few decades ago, he seemed quite sincere. He still does. He also still seems like a douchebag. But at least he's standing up for the weak. That's something -- it's not much, but I guess you gotta be glad for small mercies, these days.

And yeah, not often you see people stand up to Falafel-boy when he's on tilt, but hey -- no wonder. Last time I saw him lose his temper, he was talking to the son of a man who died in the Trade Centers. This kid thought the war was a bad idea, and expressed several opinions that Falafelboy didn't like, and so he was escorted from the studio by a stagehand who actually said they'd better get him out of there, before the mighty Bill-Oh got ahold of him and hurt him. I mean, Falafelboy actually threatened to harm the son of a victim of the 9/11 attacks, because that son held opinions that he didn't agree with.

This guy is despicable.

Falafelboy on a news-show is like putting Jeffrey Dahmer on the cooking network.

I actually haven't seen much of this guy Rivera, living outside the states and all... I didn't recognise him, and actually he seems like a great guy! I'm going to have to look at some pas vids.

Geraldo Rivera's tabloid style of "journalism" is irritating, but he's a good egg. He was one of the few tv personalities who supported Bill Clinton and chastised Ken Starr during the Monica Lewinsky debacle.

He's the son of a Puerto Rican immigrant, so it's understandable that he is sympathetic to the plight of immigrants.

Once upon a time back in the early 70's Geraldo was a first rate journalist. Then he joined the Jerry Springer bandwagon,Then he joined "Fox News" (two words that don't belong in the same sentence). While I agree with Geraldo, I'm pretty sure this was staged for ratings. Its what he does. I was surprised they didn't start a fist fight on the set!---ken

For people outside the states, Geraldo doing something honorable has historically been unheard of. In the past he has been one of the bigger douche bags of the century, he's not a bad person, just a douche. But this event changed my label for Geraldo. He is now kind of annoying but has shining moments, and is not an asshole .

There is hope for you yet Geraldo.

Agree with smokindog: this is two experienced P.T. Barnum-style entertainers/actors, putting on a show for ratings--same as Hannity, Coulter, and the rest of them. It is not true debate. Keep in mind, people, GR has been one of the most adulatory cheerleaders for the Iraq War from day one. If you think he's turned a corner and become a human being again, you're welcome to your delusion. He's a showman first, and an actor second. Journalist? Don't make me vomit.

Um, Puerto Ricans are not immigrants. They are full American citizens.

I tend not to watch the clips of O'Reilly going crazy, but this one seemed almost forced. It's like pro wrestling--fake indignation and staged matchups. Come watch as Geraldo turns on Bill-O with a metal chair to the back of the head!

"He's the son of a Puerto Rican immigrant, so it's understandable that he is sympathetic to the plight of immigrants."

hahahaha! Give our fellow Americans a little respect!

Anyone ever get the image of Hitler crossing their mind whenever they see O'Reilly get red in the fact when discussing--for lack of a better word--on a particular point?

"He's the son of a Puerto Rican immigrant, so it's understandable that he is sympathetic to the plight of immigrants."

I am willing to bet that Geraldo's ancestors were in the continent way before O'really's Irish peeps set foot in this continent.

It was fun to watch someone jump right back into loofa man's face and nutty old Geraldo is the man for the job.

However, I also felt that it was a bit of a put on. The passion may have been real enough but it was still a set up to spark ratings, in my less than humble opinion.

Anyone ever get the image of Hitler crossing their mind whenever they see O'Reilly get red in the fact when discussing--for lack of a better word--on a particular point?

Godwin's law, man.

One was responsible for the death of millions of people, led a nation into insanity, and constructed and used one of the most destructive war machines of the last century.

The other, while violent and wrong-headed, has openly admitted he is beholden to his corporate overlords, and has caused the emergence of one of TV's sharpest satirists.

Have some perspective.

Geraldos'father was born in Puerto Rico. Mia culpa as Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917, and yet they are at times referred to as immigrants, although this is not techinically correct as far as the law is concerned. However, they speak a different language and have a different way of life and are thus often referred to as immigrants, although they are actually migrants.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

So much to vomit over. So little time.

Is it really impossible to separate the merit of ideas from the screaming heads here, as people can't seem to discern much without anger and division? How tragic for our future. It comes as no surprise therefor that Geraldo should be the front-runner, simply because he's less of a jerk. I still think his ideas are completely bankrupt.

Yeah, I admit that I hate it too when people I don't respect say things that I agree with but I have a harder time refuting a sound idea, even if it comes from a clod.

you know, sometimes too much hipness is not a good thing. i was so curious about all the "felafel" and "loofah" references to bill oreilly that i googled it. this was a mistake. i was so disgusted by what i found i've been walking around gagging whenever the image involuntarily crosses my mind ever since. and of course, i can't look at billo without an unpleasant combination of nervous laughter and dry heaves- which isn't that far from my previous, un-hip reaction to him, but still... ignorance can be bliss.

i should mention that felafel is the national fast food in israel and the cheapest way to fill your belly. now, thanks to fox, bill oreilly and the internet too-much-information syndrome, i'll have to switch to shawarma (another national treasure, also of arab origin btw), which is about twice the price. being over-informed is getting expensive.

...being over-informed...

is that possible?

As for the "fakeness" of this, It seems pretty real to me. This cannot be good for bill'o, who is one of Faux's biggest names, and it wouldn't be staged unless they plan on getting rid of him and replacing him with Rivera, which this could be the first step. Was the orignal clip live or not? IF it wasn't live, i'd definately think it was staged.