Joe Benigno
Encyclopedia
Joseph S. Benigno is an American sports radio
personality. He co-hosts (with Evan Roberts
) the 10am-1pm weekday show on WFAN
in New York City
.
descent, was born in Garfield, New Jersey
and grew up in nearby Paramus
. He graduated from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana
, in 1975 with a degree in political science
. Prior to joining WFAN, Benigno was a frequent caller to the station, known on-air as "Joe from Saddle River
."
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, he 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
.
, New York Knicks
, New York Rangers
, and especially 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
), "Bro," and "What a disaster" when describing his losing teams. As Well as "stellar" and "All The Love"
Benigno often makes light of his uncanny resemblance to professional baseball player Sal Fasano
, Count Dracula, and Hollywood actor Vincent Schiavelli
.
He resides in Old Tappan, New Jersey
.
Released his first book in April 2010, titled "Rules for New York Sports Fans."
Sports radio
Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and...
personality. He co-hosts (with Evan Roberts
Evan Roberts (radio personality)
Evan Roberts is an American sports radio personality. He currently hosts the midday show with Joe Benigno on WFAN in New York City.Roberts grew up in Cedarhurst, New York and graduated from Lawrence High School in 2001....
) the 10am-1pm weekday show on WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Early Years
Benigno who is of ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
descent, was born in Garfield, New Jersey
Garfield, New Jersey
Garfield is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,487.When the area that is now Garfield was first developed in 1873, it was known as East Passaic. In 1881, the community's name was changed to Garfield in honor of...
and grew up in nearby Paramus
Paramus, New Jersey
Paramus is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 26,342. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located between 15–20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan and approximately west of Upper Manhattan.Paramus is one of...
. He graduated from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana
Franklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
, in 1975 with a degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. Prior to joining WFAN, Benigno was a frequent caller to the station, known on-air as "Joe from Saddle River
Saddle River, New Jersey
Saddle River is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 3,152. Saddle River has the second-highest per-capita income in the state...
."
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 JerseyElizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
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
Sid Rosenberg
Sidney Arthur Rosenberg is an American radio personality currently heard weekday mornings on 1010 WINS in New York City, and afternoons on WQAM in Miami, Florida....
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, he became the sole host of the midday show until January, 2007, when he was then paired with Evan Roberts
Evan Roberts (radio personality)
Evan Roberts is an American sports radio personality. He currently hosts the midday show with Joe Benigno on WFAN in New York City.Roberts grew up in Cedarhurst, New York and graduated from Lawrence High School in 2001....
.
Benigno also co-hosts Daily News Live
Daily News Live (SportsNet New York)
Daily News Live is a live sports talk show which airs weeknights from 5:00PM to 5:30PM EST on SportsNet New York. The show's host is Jonas Schwartz and WFAN personality Joe Benigno, with many New York area newspaper writers and other guests...
on SNY
SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York is a New York City-based regional sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, and nationwide via satellite. It is owned jointly by the New York Mets, Time Warner Cable, and NBCUniversal...
.
Personal life
Benigno is a fan of the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, and especially the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He is known for quotes such as "Oh, the pain!"( a lift from the character Dr Smith of Lost in Space
Lost in Space
Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
), "Bro," and "What a disaster" when describing his losing teams. As Well as "stellar" and "All The Love"
Benigno often makes light of his uncanny resemblance to professional baseball player Sal Fasano
Sal Fasano
Salvatore Frank Fasano is a former Major League Baseball catcher who is currently the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double A Eastern League, a Minor League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. He is known to many for his famous Horseshoe moustache.Jeff Pearlman...
, Count Dracula, and Hollywood actor Vincent Schiavelli
Vincent Schiavelli
Vincent Andrew Schiavelli was an American character actor noted for his work on stage, screen, and television often described as "the man with the sad eyes." He was notable for his numerous and often critically acclaimed cameo appearances.-Early life:Schiavelli was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a...
.
He resides in Old Tappan, New Jersey
Old Tappan, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,750 people. The population density was 1,725.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 74.8% Caucasian, 22.2% Asian, 0.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanics...
.
Released his first book in April 2010, titled "Rules for New York Sports Fans."