Guests discussed their personal experiences over a given topic, often controversial or sensational, with Rivera placing a heavy emphasis on audience interaction.

[1] In its first few seasons, the show featured controversial topics, such as "Men in Lace Panties", "Kids Who Murder in the Name of Satan", "When the Other Woman Is a Man", and "Teens Who Trade Sex for Drugs".

[5] According to executive producer Martin Berman, "The audience can take an otherwise ordinary show and make it extraordinary.

In the United States, it was distributed by Tribune Entertainment and placed in first-run syndication on September 7, 1987.

[14] "Young Hate Mongers" averaged a 13.9 rating and a 39 share in 18 major television markets, which were "numbers virtually unheard of for daytime programs.

[17] The ratings for this show increased as news of the fight attracted attention to the episode even before it aired.

In August 1992, Rivera scuffled with KKK members again at a Klan rally in Janesville, Wisconsin.