10 Questions with ... Steve Malzberg

NAME:Steve Malzberg TITLE:Talk Show Host/"TV Talking Head" STATION:WORRadio and the WOR Radio Network MARKET:New York and national COMPANY:Buckley Radio BORN:04-20-1959 RAISED:Brooklyn, NY

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WABC Radio from 1981-2004, a short stint at WWRL in NYC 11/2004-7/2006. Filled in for Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, John Gibson and others through 4/2007 and began at WOR on 5/7/07.

Filled in for Joe Scarborough and Monica Crowley on MSNBC. Contributor to Phil Donahue's MSNBC show. Regular guest on "Cavuto", Fox and Friends, Paula Zahn, Lou Dobbs, and other cable TV shows.

Columnist for Newsmax.com and have had pieces published in the Washington Times.

1. How did you get into radio?

I went to grade school with Cheri Spector, the daughter of the late WMCA Good Guy Jack Spector. Not only did he get some of the guys autographs of the sports stars he'd have on his show, but he took me up to watch him do his sports talk show on WMCA, which was after they had switched to talk. I fell in love with the studio, the red light, the excitement of it all. From there I became a talk radio fan, listening to Bob Grant and sports talk with John Sterling nearly every night. John followed Grant on WMCA. I joined the Brooklyn College Radio station, WBCR, and got an internship at WMCA, ironically enough while I was just a sophomore in 1979. I stayed on screening phone calls, and in 1980 was hired as the guest booker for "AM-57", with Bob Grant and Janet Rose in AM drive. I also produced Sports talk with Art Rust Jr. there on Saturday mornings. In 1981, while WABC was still music, they got the rights to the Yankee broadcasts and hired Art to do a pre-game sports-talk show to the Yankee pre-game. Art had Jay Clark, the WABC PD, hire me and there I remained for the next 24 years.

2. You were a sports guy who eventually became far better known as a political commentator- did you set out to move into political talk? How did that transition come about?

I always had a passion for politics and would often interject it into my sports: for example, Jesse Jackson protesting for more black NFL coaches, etc. I would also add my political opinion when doing the sports on the Lynn Samuels show and when I did morning sports on the Dave Dawson show. On the night O.J. was driving in the Bronco, I was supposed to watch the Knicks play the Rockets in the NBA Finals, but I convinced John Mainelli to let me come on live after the Yankees game that night. A tape of Lynn was scheduled to run. During that live show he called up and told me to stay around and go live at 6 am as well. A tape of Bob Grant had been scheduled to run that morning. From that point on, Mainielli had me fill in for Curtis Sliwa, Jay Diamond and others. That's how it happened.

3. About what are you most passionate these days?

Definitely politics. Right now making sure that the Congress doesn't pass an amnesty immigration bill which would eventually take away our culture and our language, and making sure we don't get a president who will raise our taxes, have the government take over health care and weaken our national security, (which would be any of the Democrats running) are at the top of my list.

4. You've been a local New York fixture for years, but your current show is national (as has been some of your fill-in and TV work). What differences do you find in callers, and the audience in general, from New York as opposed to from other markets? Is New York talk radio different?

I think many New York talk show hosts think that New York callers are the brightest and most passionate in the country, but that is not necessarily true. I have been fortunate to speak to listeners from all over America who are extremely well informed, passionate and well spoken on a variety of issues facing our nation and the world. At first it surprised me a bit, but I soon came to expect it. I will always have a special bond with New York callers, but for the most part, a top-rate, entertaining, informative show with a sense of humor and plenty of passion will appeal and win everywhere. Oh, did I mention that I am describing the Steve Malzberg Show?

5. Of what are you most proud?

Career-wise, I am most proud of my longevity and my ability to do so many things so well, including hosting some major cable TV shows. After WABC, I was extremely proud to be a highly sought after fill-in host both nationally and for local stations around the country. I am also extremely proud to be back on in New York on WOR Radio, a proud station with a long and proud history. It was on in my home every morning during my youth.

6. Who are your heroes?

Ronald Reagan, Bobby Murcer, NYC Detective Steven McDonald.

7. Who's the best interview subject you've ever hosted? The worst? The one you'd most like to get but haven't yet snagged?

I could throw lots of "big names" at you but just the other day I sat across from U.S. Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, who is the author of "Lone Survivor". It's the story of how he and three other Seals were on a mission in Afghanistan. His three teammates were killed on that mission and he nearly died. I can't tell you how moved I was, and how insignificant I felt hearing him tell his story. What he had to say about how our troops have their hands tied in the war in Afghanistan and Iraq should be required listening for every American.

As for the worst interview, like most interviewers I have had some very confrontational interviews over the years, but many of them have turned out to be among my most interesting. The boring ones, the bad ones, to quote Hillary, "I don't recall."

I'd like to talk to Hillary Clinton. I have a lot of questions for her that I'm afraid nobody else will ask her.

8. What do you do for fun?

Take my son to New Jersey Devils games. Coach his little league team. Odd Couple trivia, and great restaurants.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without____________.

...seeing my son Robert.

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

The best advice I ever received is to appreciate every single second that you are privileged to be behind a microphone, because you never know when you will lose that privilege.

I don't take bad advice!