Joan Hamburg

Early life and education

She grew up in Lawrence on Long Island and attended Barnard College, before embarking on an advertising career.

Radio show

Hamburg is extremely celebrity, society, and show-business-conscious, and billed as "New York Radio's First Lady." The orientation of her broadcasts shifted dramatically from consumerism to a radio version of the Today Show, including the day's news, food and restaurant features, and celebrity and newsmaker interviews. Hamburg still takes consumer questions, and gives listeners advice about restaurants, events, and the like. Carol Channing, a regular listener, once called Joan Hamburg "The Yellow Pages of The World".

Hamburg frequently broadcasts from her favorite places instead of a studio—e.g., Sardi's, the Hamptons, Canyon Ranch, The Villages, Florida and so on. She worked closely with her production staff to provide a seamless "I can find anything for you" expertise, sometimes discernible in a drawn-out "let me see" pause.

Beginning in January 2014, her Monday-Friday program became a feature on WOR/710 from 10:00-Noon, Saturday and Sunday. In May 2014 her program was cancelled after 35 years with the station. She joined WABC/770 in September 2014.

As of September 2020 Hamburg was heard on WABC/770, Sundays 2:00-3:00 PM. She no longer appears on the Sunday lineup. Her program is now presented in the form of a podcast on the WABC radio website.

She was inducted in the Class of 2018 Radio Hall of Fame in November 2018.

Personal life

Hamburg's daughter, Liz, contributes to the show and sometimes appears as a fill-in host. Her son is screenwriter John Hamburg (Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers and Along Came Polly).

References

References

1. Ketcham, Diane. (1997-07-20). "And You Should See the Lobster Salad at $42 a Pound". [[The New York Times]].
2. Gladstone, Valerie. (2000-07-09). "New York Radio's Folksy Powerhouse". The New York Times.
3. Burros, Marian. (1994-02-27). "Making it Work;The Shopper's Friend". The New York Times.
4. (10 December 2007). "Joan Hamburg Show will broadcast live from Lake Sumter Landing". The Villages Daily Sun.
5. (21 January 2005). "Meet the Man Who Gave Film Audiences 'The Fockers'". [[The Jewish Daily Forward]].