SHORT TAKES : ‘Geraldo’ Loses Dallas Outlet

A spokesman for Geraldo Rivera says a TV station caved in to a mother of two in Ft. Worth when it dropped his afternoon talk show.

“It’s certainly not a surprise, because the station has made several announcements over the past few months that it intended to drop the show because of pressure being brought to bear by one viewer,” Jeff Erdel said.

But Joe Bell, program manager for KDFW-TV, said a drop in ratings was the main reason “Geraldo” was not renewed.

Lynda Beams has campaigned for nearly three years to have the syndicated show moved from its after-school time slot, complaining the program was unsuitable for children because it sometimes dealt with sex and violence.

Her petition drive forced some sponsors to withdraw support for the show.

Erdel on Wednesday said “Geraldo” has changed since December to become “the cleanest, most wholesome talk show on television.”

“The ‘Geraldo’ shows have focused on such issues as education, child welfare, gun control and very relevant social issues, leaving the subjects of necrophilia and other sexual perversions to the other talk shows,” he said.