The fear and humiliation kids with Tourette syndrome face at school - stigma, misunderstanding, and why tics are pain, not comedy.

Watch the full episode: Living With Tourette syndrome which features Jim Eisenreich, doctors, families on The Geraldo Rivera Show as they discuss tics, coprolalia, school life and treatment.

#TouretteSyndrome #Geraldo #90sTalkShow

This archival episode focuses on understanding Tourette syndrome through firsthand stories and medical insight. March 23rd, 1990.

Geraldo brings together adults, parents and children living with Tourette's, as they navigate diagnosis, bullying and school life. Medical experts explain tics, coprolalia, heredity, and treatment. The premise throughout this episode is education and compassion — replacing misunderstanding with practical guidance on how to react. How can we support classmates and co-workers, where can families find help?

A central part of the conversation is Kansas City Royals outfielder Jim Eisenreich, who joins via satellite to discuss playing professional baseball with Tourette's, being accepted by teammates and encouraged by young people. The show also follows teacher Susan Connors managing tics in the classroom, Dr. Oren Palmer discussing life as psychiatrist and a person with Tourette's since childhood.

Fathers like Joe Cobb talking about late diagnosis and raising children showing signs of the disorder. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Gerald Ehrenberg and psychologist Dr. Elaine Shapiro explain onset age, chronic course, medication, side effects, driving, sleep, and why only a minority experience coprolalia.

Guests in this episode:

Jim Eisenreich - Kansas City Royals outfielder
Dr. Oren Palmer - Psychiatrist, living with Tourette's since age 5
Susan Connors - School teacher, diagnosed 6 years prior
Adam Ward Seligman - Writer, symptoms since age 7
Bruce Oxman - Financial consultant, diagnosed at age 19
Joe Cobb - Father of three, diagnosed 3 years prior, with Janine Cobb, wife
Dr. Gerald Ehrenberg - Pediatric neurologist, Cleveland Clinic, National Advisory Committee for the Tourette Syndrome Association
Dr. Elaine Shapiro - Psychologist specializing in Tourette's treatment
Steve Friedlander - Chief Operating Officer, Tourette Syndrome Association
Sal, James (14), and Andrew Freeman (13) - Young guests living with Tourette's
James and Barbara Brady - Parents

Chapters:
00:00 - Opening: Why this show on Tourette syndrome
02:08 - Guest introductions
02:38 - Film package: Living with tics, misunderstanding and pain
04:53 - Children, bullying and parents' concerns
07:23 - Jim Eisenreich on baseball, teammates and acceptance
08:58 - Work and daily life: doctor, teacher and social situations
13:19 - Audience Q&A: What causes tics and coprolalia
16:01 - Audience Q&A: Medication, side effects and driving
19:10 - Activity, concentration and when tics ease
20:09 - Sleep and the myth that Tourette's is a put-on
21:57 - Injuries, heredity and self-injurious tics
25:55 - Tourette's vs. other neurological conditions explained
31:10 - How to react: understanding over pity
33:14 - How common is coprolalia and when does it start
34:57 - Jobs, discrimination and career challenges
40:45 - Closing advice for kids and call for compassion

Courtesy Geraldo's Television History.

Long before drag reached the mainstream, a Geraldo Rivera's daytime talk show put drag queens on a national stage. March 1st, 1993.

The studio audience didn't know that at first. What starts as a glamorous designer showcase becomes a lively, sometimes heated conversation about gender, beauty and who gets to wear the dress. Three groups of drag queen models walk in tp looks from designers Betsy Gonzalez and Colin Baer.

Along the way they share how they got into modeling, what their families thought, and why they say they "walk better, with more attitude" than anyone else on the runway.Holly Woodlawn, the Andy Warhol superstar immortalized in Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" and author of A Low Life in High Heels, puts the moment in historical context. In her words: "we've come a long way, sweetie."

Fashion editor Constance White explains why designers put drag queen models in their shows, and illustrator Alvaro shows the artwork he's made for Italian Vogue and designers around the world. Female model Lisa gives her view on competing with male models on the runway.Then the debate turns up.

Former Mrs. Michigan Mary DiGiulio calls in to challenge the designers, audience members push back from all sides, and the models answer for themselves. The result is a candid time capsule of LGBTQ visibility, drag culture and fashion history in 90s talk show television.Archival 1990s talk show presented for historical and educational purposes. Terminology and some audience views reflect the era.

Guests in this episode:
Holly Woodlawn - Andy Warhol superstar, author of A Low Life in High Heels
Betsy Gonzalez - fashion designer
Colin Baer - fashion designer
Constance White - fashion editor
Alvaro - fashion illustrator (Italian Vogue, U Magazine)
Lisa - fashion model
Mary DiGiulio - former Mrs. Michigan (caller)
Runway models: Jem Gender, Paris, Angene, Cash, Girlina, Coco, Blue Lamour, Shakita, Onyx, The Baroness, Joey Arias, Ulrich

Chapters:
00:00 - Cold open: the models' runway secret
01:26 - First runway walk: Angene, Cash, Paris and Jem
04:11 - The reveal and audience reaction
04:54 - Holly Woodlawn on how far drag has come
06:38 - How the models got into fashion
08:05 - Audience pushback and everyday life off the runway
09:11 - Designer Betsy Gonzalez on why she casts drag models
11:51 - Origin stories, partners and prep time
13:21 - Family reactions: Holly and Jem
14:37 - Designer Colin Baer and editor Constance White
16:56 - Second runway walk: Girlina, Coco, Blue and Shakita
21:39 - Illustrator Alvaro's fashion artwork
23:00 - Third runway walk: Onyx, The Baroness, Joey and Ulrich
25:52 - Models' personal stories and custom designs
31:32 - Holly's book A Low Life in High Heels
33:25 - Former Mrs. Michigan calls in and Betsy responds
35:14 - Is fashion getting conservative? Constance White and Lisa
36:46 - Alvaro's gift to Geraldo
38:41 - Heated audience debate
41:20 - Final thoughts and sign-off

This day, Geraldo's Television History.