Who Was Radio Host Bernard McGuirk?

TALK radio icon Bernard McGuirk died on October 5, 2022 following his cancer diagnosis.

McGuirk had been with WABC since 2007, hosting Bernie & Sid in the mornings with Sid Rosenberg.

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Who was Bernard McGuirk?

Radio host Bernard McGuirk grew up in the Bronx, New York City and attended the College of Mount St. Vincent.

In 1984, shortly after graduating from college, he began working in radio.

McGuirk began working at Imus alongside Don Imus, who was known for his verbal attacks on celebrities and politicians, as well as ethnic groups, women and the LGBTQ+ community.

After 23 years as a co-host of the Imus talk show, McGuirk was fired in 2007 for his sexist comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.

McGuirk’s departure from the show came after a segment in which Imus described the Rutgers teammates as “rough girls,” and McGuirk responded by calling the girls “some hardcore h*s,” The Today Show reports.

He added: “These are some diaper heads, I’ll tell you that.”

After McGuirk was fired from the station, he transferred to WFAN Radio in New York City.

He has since been with WABC, taking over the morning show with Sid Rosenberg for the 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. slot in 2017.

Their show, Bernie and Sid in the Morning, was a hit and was moved to the morning drive hours in April 2018.

Why did Bernard McGuirk’s morning show become a hit?

Just a year after McGuirk and Rosenberg’s late-morning show aired on WABC, ratings soared so fast it was pushed to number one.

John Catsimatidis’ Red Apple Media Group Inc. bought the station in March 2020 as it skyrocketed to become one of the most listened to morning radio shows.

“We just started doing things the way radio should be. We went back to basic formats and didn’t allow big business or business-like thinking where it was done for the money; It was made for the product and we invested in the product,” WABC President Chad Lopez told the New York Post.

He added, “We allowed him to be who he was and that’s a big part of the show’s success.

“He was able to just be himself and just do it and that’s what made this show number one.

“He was funny and outspoken and just told the truth.”

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How did he die?

McGuirk died on October 5 after a year-long battle with prostate cancer.

His death came just weeks before his 65th birthday and Rosenberg said it was a tragic loss for everyone on the station.

“Bernie was my partner and my friend,” Rosenberg told Barrett Sports Media.

“He was always the smartest guy in the room and I was lucky to be the guy next to him. I know our listeners mourn with me the loss of radio and New York.”

In a post on Twitter, Rosenberg further acknowledged the loss of his friend and colleague, writing, “You believed in me when almost nobody else did.

“You stayed loyal and loved me when it would have been easy to run away. I am devastated.”

He added: “But I have fond memories that give me some comfort in knowing that you are no longer in pain. I will miss you and love you always.”

Catsimatidis also commented on McGuirk’s death, telling Radio Ink: “We are all devastated by the loss of Bernie.

“He was a true New Yorker whose talent and intelligence propelled him to the forefront of New York morning radio.

“He had incredible insight into local, national and global news that his listeners respected. He will be missed by everyone at WABC and his fans around the world.”

The radio show will host a special tribute to McGuirk, where employees will share their memories and thoughts of their colleague.

The tribute will air October 11, 2022, and McGuirk’s colleague Curtis Sliwa told the outlet it will depict an “Irish wake.”

“It’s going to focus on Bernie the comedian, Bernie the entertainer, Bernie the friend of so many people,” he said.

“It’s going to be a positive, uplifting day as we remember the best of Bernard McGuirk that goes back years and years and years.”