WABC in New York will be moving Bernie McGuirk and Sid Rosenberg from middays to mornings on April 2, replacing the Imus In The Morning Show. Last month Imus announced his final show would be March 29. McGuirk has been Imus’ Executive Producer since 1987. Rosenberg joined Imus as Sports Anchor in 2000.
Before recently returning to New York radio, Rosenberg resigned from WFAN in 2005 after failing to show up to host a Giants pre-game show and was fired by 560 WQAM in South Florida after a DUI arrest.
Chad Lopez, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media-New York, said, “One of Don Imus’ legacies is that he created stars on his show. Bernie and Sid are no exception. We are excited to promote Bernie and Sid to Mornings and think 77 WABC listeners will love what they bring to mornings.”
Craig Schwalb, WABC Program Director, said, “It is nearly impossible to replace a legend like Don Imus. Bernie and Sid have been part of the Imus cast for decades and the new show represents an evolution more than a replacement.”
Rosenberg said, “I used to joke with Bernard over a decade ago about possibly working together. After all my trials and tribulations, that looked like a pipe dream not that long ago. I love working with Bernard and appreciate his friendship even more. Of course, none of this happens without Don Imus. I’ll always appreciate what Imus did for me personally and professionally. He’s a true legend and I’ve stolen as much as I can from him without being too obvious!“
McGuirk said, “This is a dream come true for me, and an honor for my longtime friend Sid and I to assume the morning slot on the legendary WABC Radio from the irreplaceable and legendary Don Imus. We owe it all to Mr. Imus! To quote the great Conor McGregor, ‘We’re not here to take part. We’re here to take over!’ Brooklyn and the Bronx booming from your radio!”
I can’t listen to Bernie and Sid. It is non-stop “Trump humping” whenever the news comes up.
I think we need more of people like Mr. IMUS. But there are few. I will miss the Imus in the morning show.
I will miss Imus was a loyal fan for over 20 years, good luck and happy
retirement, Loved his interviews and his off the cuff comments.
Yes Scott, both Bernie and Sid are talented and entertaining. Perhaps if Sid stuck to sports one might be able to look past his penchant for plugola.
But they already announced Face the Nation’s Chuck Todd as a Friday regular. Entertaining or not Cumulus has given Sid a political platform to espouse views that may not be his own but sponsored as he did with DeBlasi’s “Polarized”.
Cumulus is morally and financially bankrupt for ignoring Sid’s fatal flaw. Payola is illegal as it violates the FCC’s code sec. 73.1212. WFAN and Sid received a slap on the wrist from CBS Radio for his blatant payola involving “Polarized” in August 2014. More troubling is the FCC’s inaction.
Why have laws if they are not applied equally? Had Sid engaged in paper trailed Payola on a small college radio station, its license would have been revoked. Instead, monied CBS and its powerful lobbying arm at the NAB squashed the investigation streamlining the Entercom merger. Follow the money. Golden parachutes abound and a fat pay day for CEO David Field.
What message does this send to all the hard working law abiding broadcasters? Reminds me of the baseball players stuck in the minors because they did not take steroids.
There should be an asterisk placed next to Sid’s name. And he should be inducted into the Broadcaster’s Hall of Shame.
Yours in truth
Kevin DeBlasi, Esq.
Hey Kevin. It’s a radio show! It’s about entertainment, not news and they are very entertaining. If you want news, listen to WCBS or WINS.
For $5k Sid risked his career and WFAN’s broadcast license illegally plugging a book that he couldn’t even remember the author’s name. Undoubtedly he had no clue that “Polarized: Sex, Lies, and Family betrayal” was written to advance NY’s Child Victims’s Act.
WABC has just handed him a powerful political platform in a historic mid term election year. No wonder people don’t trust the media. Thank you NAB, FCC, CBS, Entercom, and WABC for fomenting fake news.
Yours in truth
Kevin DeBlasi, Esq.
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