Barrett Media produces over 20 stories per day on the music, news, and sports media industries. Stay updated on the latest happenings by signing up to receive our newsletters straight to your inbox.
On October 5th, 2022, 77 WABC host Bernie McGuirk died after a battle with prostate cancer. McGuirk’s death left morning show host Sid Rosenberg to host the daypart by himself.
It wasn’t the first time Rosenberg was tasked with hosting a radio show by himself. Previous stops, especially in the sports radio format, had prepared him for the situation.
But it would have been natural for someone thrust into that situation to question whether or not their highly-rated morning drive show would continue to be so well received after the death of a co-host.
77 WABC morning show host Sid Rosenberg isn’t your average “someone.”
“I came to New York already as a host,” Rosenberg said. “So it’s not as if I’ve evolved in the last couple of years now that my great partner and dear friend is gone. I was doing what I was doing before I got to New York. I actually had to make — believe it or not — a bit of an adjustment when I came back to New York to work with Bernard, because I had been hosting shows on my own down in Miami for the better part of 11 years. It’s not as if I evolved since Bernard died. I went back — quite frankly — to what I was doing before I went to work with Bernard in 2016.”
Bernie & Sid first came to 77 WABC as a midday show, before eventually replacing Don Imus in morning drive after the radio legend retired in 2018. The duo helped return to the station prominence, alongside the station’s purchase by billionaire John Catsimatidis and his wife, Margo.
Rosenberg was quick to point out he missed Bernie McGuirk his friend more than he missed his radio partner. He added that he mentions his former co-host nearly every day in discussions on 77 WABC. However, despite his admiration for his departed colleague, Sid Rosenberg believes his days of having a co-host are behind him.
“I miss him more personally than professionally, because, quite frankly, the show is still great, but I miss my friend. He was great on the air. He was terrific. But I don’t think I would do it again. Look, I’m an alpha. That’s my personality,” the New York news/talk radio host admitted. “I can’t stand sharing interviews with somebody else, because every now and then, they’ll veer off a nice little spot that we’re in.
“I’ve become really good at that, at doing the interview, so I definitely didn’t enjoy sharing that … Bernie and I were great together. We were as perfect as partners can possibly be because you were dear friends … but I don’t see myself working for the partner, again it would have to be the perfect partner and an awful lot of money.”
After working for several years with a co-host, it was certainly an adjustment to go back to working solo with a rotating cast of characters like News Director Noam Laden, colleague Curtis Sliwa who joins every morning, or producer Justin Ellick each day. But Sid Rosenberg believes that the constant slate of new and fresh voices helps keep the show lively.
“The show that we’re doing now is exactly what I envisioned, and it’s having great success. That’s the bottom line,” he shared. “I mean, this show is what I thought it could be. Part Imus, part (Howard) stern, but with a real political bend. And that’s what we’re doing … We do our fair share of politics, but the show is not predictable. And for me, when radio becomes predictable, radio becomes boring. That’s not our show.”
As Sid and Friends in the Morning continues to produce strong ratings and revenue for the New York news/talk brand, Sid Rosenberg noted the rarity of a conservative political show working so well in an area that is dominated by left-leaning voters. That, coupled with the success of New York sports teams and the current state of the race for the White House among other political charged events makes this an exciting time for Rosenberg to be in the space.
“Oh, it’s fun,” said Rosenberg, who noted that his recent trip to Israel to commemorate the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks showcased the power of his program. “I went to meet President Herzog — the President of Israel — for a one-on-one in his office in Jerusalem. And that same week, Saturday night on that trip, I broke the Yom Kippur fast with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, and sat with Bibi for a good two hours. I don’t know how many people have the opportunity to talk to (Donald) Trump and sit face-to-face with Herzog all in one week.
“This is what’s been going on with this show. I’ve gone to Israel twice. These are the types of things that wouldn’t happen a couple years ago, to be honest. The show is well known. It’s known in the country. It’s known outside the country.”
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, former President Donald Trump will make a campaign stop at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday evening. Sid Rosenberg will be one of the guest speakers before the Republican nominee makes his remarks. And the 77 WABC host couldn’t be more proud to have that honor.
“I mean, come on, I’m a Brooklyn kid going to the place where I’ve gone a million times to see Mark Messier and Patrick Ewing, and I’m going to speak before Donald Trump? This is above and beyond. It’s surreal, it’s magic, it’s a great ride, and it’s a lot of fun,” the New York news/talk host shared. “It’s a very nerve-wracking couple of weeks coming up, I can tell you that, but certainly, yes, it’s been fun.”
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing bi-weekly industry features and a weekly column. He has previously served as Program Director and Afternoon Co-Host on 93.1 The Fan in Lima, OH, and is the radio play-by-play voice of Northern Michigan University hockey. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
