Joe Benigno

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Joe Benigno
Born (1953-09-26) September 26, 1953 (age 67)
Garfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Career
ShowJoe & Evan
Station(s)WFAN, New York City
Time slot2:00 pm – 06:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
StyleSports radio
Country United States
Websitewww.joeandevan.com

Joseph S. Benigno (born September 26, 1953) is an American sports radio personality. He was a co-host of the Joe & Evan show with Evan Roberts weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET on the New York radio stations WFAN-AM and WFAN-FM. His retirement was announced on October 28, 2020.

Biography[]

Early years[]

Benigno, who is of Italian descent, was born in Garfield, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Paramus.[1] He graduated from Franklin College in 1975 with a degree in political science. Prior to joining WFAN, Benigno was a frequent caller to the station and was known on-air as "Joe from Saddle River."

Professional radio career[]

His first taste of radio experience occurred in 1994, when he guest-hosted a show on WFAN as a result of winning a contest held by the station. He then hosted a sports-talk show on a radio station in Elizabeth, New Jersey[2] before returning to WFAN as their overnight host in 1995. He continued as overnight host until November 2004, when he was moved to middays to co-host with Sid Rosenberg after Rosenberg's previous co-host, Jody McDonald, did not have his contract renewed with the station. After Rosenberg resigned from the station on September 12, 2005, Benigno became the sole host of the midday show until January, 2007, when he was then paired with Evan Roberts.

Benigno also co-hosts Daily News Live on SNY.

Benigno was filling in for the vacationing Boomer and Carton in the Morning program on March 28, 2013 with his partner Roberts when he made disparaging remarks about having to get makeup done. The program is simulcast on MSG and Benigno continued by mocking them, claiming that he was annoyed about the chair time required for MSG's "11 viewers." The Benigno & Roberts show scheduled to be broadcast on Good Friday via MSG was immediately cancelled.[3]

On April 25, 2013, Benigno faced widespread criticism for saying he would "buy drugs for Tyrann Mathieu" if the New York Jets drafted him.[4]

Personal life[]

Benigno is an avid fan of the New York Mets, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and most notably the New York Jets. He is known for quotes such as "Oh, the pain!" (a lift from the character Dr Smith of Lost in Space), "How 'bout that?", and "What a disaster" when describing his losing teams, as well as "Bro", "stellar", and "All The Love".[citation needed]

Benigno often makes light of his uncanny resemblance to professional baseball player Sal Fasano, Count Dracula, and Hollywood actor Vincent Schiavelli.[citation needed]

Released his first book in April 2010, titled "Rules for New York Sports Fans."

On July 18, 2018, a lawsuit was filed by former WFAN employee Lauren Lockwood alleging, among other things, "WFAN host Joe Benigno pressured her into having a threesome." Additionally, Benigno "whispered in [Lockwood’s] ear about having ‘threesomes’ with him and his wife and prostitutes."[5] In response to the lawsuit, Benigno took an indefinite leave of absence from the station which lasted for the remainder of the summer. He returned on a regular basis on September 10, 2018.

On October 28, 2020, Benigno announced that he would retire with November 6th, 2020 being his last show. [6]

References[]

  1. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (January 23, 2005). "IN PERSON; Meet Joe Fan". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  2. ^ "Joe Benigno". CBS New York. Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
  3. ^ "Joe Benigno FUBARED his & Evan Roberts' MSG Network Opportunity". Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "BobsBlitz.com ~ Joe Benigno says he'll buy Tyrann Mathieu drugs if Jets draft him; Mike Francesa calls it a 'bad joke'". Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  5. ^ https://nypost.com/2018/07/18/wfan-host-joe-benigno-accused-of-sexual-harassment/amp/
  6. ^ "Joe Benigno announces retirement from full-time WFAN duties, will leave Joe & Evan show on Nov. 6". www.radio.com. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-10-28.

External links[]

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