One final farewell to 'Schmoozer' as Steve Somers hosts his last hour on WFAN
WFAN Radio host Steve Somers in an undated photo. Credit: Audacy
"It’s enough already!" Steve Somers said on Monday as he fended off one last attempt at praise. "After 34 years, that’s enough of this guy. Out with the old, in with the new!"
Well, that has been part of the point over the past two years as WFAN has undergone a generational transition in which most of the station’s remaining late-1980s originals have left.
But as Somers’ farewell hour-plus illustrated, that process can be emotional, given the ties longtime staffers have with one another, and more importantly with listeners.
That was as true with Somers, 74, as anyone, given his unique style and empathetic approach, particularly during the wee hours that were his specialty.
Longtime fan Jerry Seinfeld opened the farewell show’s calls by thanking Somers on behalf "of all the sports fans that enjoy your rhythms, your humor, and I would say especially your kindness and humanity. You always try to be decent in your shows, and I always thought that was very refreshing."
Somers’ final full show was Friday night, but WFAN gave him an additional hour to say goodbye starting at 1 p.m. Monday, which bled into the first 20 minutes of "Carton and Roberts."
Those who took part in the finale included Seinfeld, former Yankee Bernie Williams and WFAN luminaries past and present, including Mike Francesa, Mark Chernoff, John Minko, "The" Eddie Scozzare, Rich Ackerman, Steve Levy and Paul Arzooman — who worked with Somers on his elaborate audio creations.
Francesa praised the "incredible impact" Somers had on the station. He called Somers as big a part of WFAN "as anyone who has ever stepped through the doors."
Afterward, Somers joked, "I’m surprised Mike didn’t refer to me as a ‘compiler’ for lasting 34 years."
Minko said Somers’ impact was "immeasurable."
"The attention has been overwhelming, certainly surreal," Somers said of the outpouring of support in recent weeks. "You can make the argument over the top, too.
"But know this: So much, absolutely, appreciated. For those I did not put to sleep late at night, the heart and the thanks goes to you. With love and plenty of respect, always, I’ll never forget you for making the last 34 years the happiest of my life."
Seinfeld called in from Hollywood, where he said he is making a movie about the invention of Pop-Tarts. Somers did get Seinfeld to make one comment about his beloved Mets:
"You have to give [owner] Steve Cohen a chance. I’ve met him, I like him, I think he’s very smart. I think he’s motivated, but this is a new world for him, so you have to give him a chance."
Scozzare made a wisecrack about Somers now joining the "involuntary retiree club for FAN" with Minko and Chernoff. Somers had hoped to continue working but not on the overnight shift, which is what he was offered.
Eventually Somers decided the tribute had started to sound too much like a eulogy. He tried to hand the baton to Craig Carton, but Carton insisted he say goodbye alone in the studio one last time.
Somers thanked his listeners, wished them "the best of everything" and encouraged them to continue "listening to the best talk radio station in New York City and in America."
Then, as he did early Saturday, he ended it with Vera Lynn’s classic recording of "We’ll Meet Again."
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
