Black and gay, national broadcaster Bobby Rivers began his career in Milwaukee

Uniquely Milwaukee

We kick off season 2 of "Be Seen" with a profile of Bobby Rivers, a national television host, entertainer, interviewer and actor who began his career in Milwaukee and eventually landed in New York City hosting his own show on VH1. From starting his career in the 1970s interviewing Bette Davis at WQFM, to eventually hosting celebrity interviews with Paul McCartney, Meryl Streep and many more on national television, Rivers has had an incredible career, both in Milwaukee and beyond. In our first episode, Rivers reflects candidly on the good and bad times he experienced in Milwaukee, including the racism and homophobia that caused him to leave, and how he would often work coded messages into his broadcasts as an open nod to the LGBTQ+ community.This episode contains strong language.