Craig Carton
Encyclopedia
Craig Harris Carton is an American radio personality who currently co-hosts the Boomer and Carton in the Morning
radio program.
. He graduated from New Rochelle High School
and S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University
with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1991. He was also a member of the Pi chapter of Psi Upsilon fraternity during his time at Syracuse University. He is the co-host of Boomer and Carton in the Morning
on WFAN
in New York
.
While in school he worked on the cable television
show Views From the Bridge.
Radio in Buffalo, New York
He moved from Buffalo to WWWE in Cleveland, Ohio
in 1992, and later to 610-WIP in Philadelphia. He was a brash weekend host known as "The Kid". He had filled in on WIP's Morning Show and was familiar with the Sports Talk/Guy Talk format. He was the first person to break the news story that the Philadelphia Eagles
had been sold to Hollywood producer Jeffrey Lurie
.
Carton left the East Coast for Denver, Colorado
, working mostly at KKFN
950 AM, "The Fan". His morning show took off immediately despite never getting along with the program director, Tim Spence. He was the highest rated host in the station's history which resulted in his being offered the morning slot on KBPI Radio. He quickly became the #1 rated local morning show in Denver radio. Eventually he resigned and left Denver to care for his wife who was pregnant with their first child.
In late 2000, Carton became Scott Kaplan
's replacement on WNEW's "Sports Guys" morning radio program in New York City. He was a "Sports Guy" for one year. He worked with Sid Rosenberg
and Blain Ensley (and briefly with Eddie Ifft
) and then just Blain when Rosenberg left. Carton took the show in a new direction, adding stunts as an on-the-air cockfight
and "Pastapalooza" in the vein of his idol Howard Stern
. Carton was also broadcasting live with Ensley on WNEW during the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Carton, a New Yorker, then became a "Jersey Guy" on New Jersey 101.5. The afternoon show was the highest rated FM afternoon talk show in America for a full 5 years.
In 2007, Carton departed for a morning opening at WFAN
as Boomer Esiason
's co-host when Esiason was hired as the permanent replacement for Imus in the Morning
. One year after Esiason and Carton started the Boomer and Carton show, they reached #1 (Men 25-54) in the Arbitron Ratings, something that Don Imus had not achieved since 1993. The show has been simulcasting on MSG Network
since September 14, 2010.
He won the Pulse of the People Award 3 years in a row (2008, 2009, and 2010).
Boomer and Carton in the Morning
Boomer and Carton in the Morning is a morning drive sports radio program on WFAN in New York City. The hosts of the radio program are former NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, Boomer Esiason and former Jersey Guy Craig Carton.The show debuted on...
radio program.
Biography
Craig Harris Carton was born on January 31, 1969 in New Rochelle, New YorkNew Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
. He graduated from New Rochelle High School
New Rochelle High School
New Rochelle High School is a public high school, comprising grades 9 through 12, in New Rochelle, New York, operated by the City School District of New Rochelle. NRHS serves over 3,300 students; offering more than 240 courses, including honors, research and advanced placement courses.NRHS...
and S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1991. He was also a member of the Pi chapter of Psi Upsilon fraternity during his time at Syracuse University. He is the co-host of Boomer and Carton in the Morning
Boomer and Carton in the Morning
Boomer and Carton in the Morning is a morning drive sports radio program on WFAN in New York City. The hosts of the radio program are former NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, Boomer Esiason and former Jersey Guy Craig Carton.The show debuted on...
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
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
While in school he worked on the cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
show Views From the Bridge.
Career
Carton began his broadcasting career in 1991 at WGRWGR
WGR, or WGR Sports Radio 550, is an all sports radio station in Buffalo, New York that broadcasts on 550 AM. It is the flagship station of the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bandits, and is currently the only full-time sports talk station in the city of Buffalo. Its studios are located in Amherst,...
Radio in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
He moved from Buffalo to WWWE in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
in 1992, and later to 610-WIP in Philadelphia. He was a brash weekend host known as "The Kid". He had filled in on WIP's Morning Show and was familiar with the Sports Talk/Guy Talk format. He was the first person to break the news story that the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
had been sold to Hollywood producer Jeffrey Lurie
Jeffrey Lurie
Jeffrey Lurie is a former Hollywood producer-turned National Football League team owner. Lurie bought the Philadelphia Eagles on May 6, 1994 from then-owner Norman Braman for $195 million...
.
Carton left the East Coast for Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, working mostly at KKFN
KRWZ
KRWZ is a radio station licensed to Denver, Colorado, USA, the station serves the Denver area. It carries an oldies format. The station is currently owned by Lincoln Financial Media Company of Colorado....
950 AM, "The Fan". His morning show took off immediately despite never getting along with the program director, Tim Spence. He was the highest rated host in the station's history which resulted in his being offered the morning slot on KBPI Radio. He quickly became the #1 rated local morning show in Denver radio. Eventually he resigned and left Denver to care for his wife who was pregnant with their first child.
In late 2000, Carton became Scott Kaplan
Scott Kaplan
Scott Kaplan is an American sports radio personality, currently based in San Diego, California. For many years, he was partnered with Sid Rosenberg, first hosting The Drive on Sports Fan Radio Network, and later The Sports Guys on WNEW-FM. He is currently the morning drive time host on XEPRS-AM, a...
's replacement on WNEW's "Sports Guys" morning radio program in New York City. He was a "Sports Guy" for one year. He worked 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....
and Blain Ensley (and briefly with Eddie Ifft
Eddie ifft
Eddie Ifft is an American stand-up comedian and sitcom writer. He lives in Venice, California.Ifft graduated with honors from Fox Chapel Area High School in 1992...
) and then just Blain when Rosenberg left. Carton took the show in a new direction, adding stunts as an on-the-air cockfight
Cockfight
A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters , held in a ring called a cockpit. Cockfighting is now illegal throughout all states in the United States, Brazil, Australia and in most of Europe. It is still legal in several U.S. territories....
and "Pastapalooza" in the vein of his idol Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
. Carton was also broadcasting live with Ensley on WNEW during the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Carton, a New Yorker, then became a "Jersey Guy" on New Jersey 101.5. The afternoon show was the highest rated FM afternoon talk show in America for a full 5 years.
In 2007, Carton departed for a morning opening at 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...
as Boomer Esiason
Boomer Esiason
Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason is a former American football quarterback and current network color commentator. He played for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before working as an analyst for ABC and HBO...
's co-host when Esiason was hired as the permanent replacement for Imus in the Morning
Imus in the Morning
Imus in the Morning is an American radio show hosted by Don Imus on Cumulus Media Networks , and simulcast for television on Fox Business Network....
. One year after Esiason and Carton started the Boomer and Carton show, they reached #1 (Men 25-54) in the Arbitron Ratings, something that Don Imus had not achieved since 1993. The show has been simulcasting on MSG Network
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
since September 14, 2010.
610-WIP
- On February 28, 1997, Carton reported Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
captain Eric LindrosEric LindrosEric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
had missed a game against the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
on February 15 due to being hung over. Claiming the excuse the Flyers gave (a sore back) for Lindros missing the game was a cover-up. The Flyers immediately sued WIP, resulting in an out of court settlement. Four years later Flyers General Manager, Bobby Clarke admitted the story was accurate to a group of reporters. Two years after that Flyers owner and Chairman, Ed Snider, also went public to announce that the story was true. Carton has never commented on the story since he was vindicated other than saying as he did from day one that he trusted his sources and knew the story was accurate.
New Jersey 101.5
- In 2005, Carton was criticized for derogatory remarks he made in regards to Jun Choi, the 2005 Democratic candidate for Mayor of Edison Township.
- In 2005, Carton became embroiled with an on the air feud with the then-(Acting) Governor of New Jersey, Richard CodeyRichard CodeyRichard James Codey is an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 53rd Governor of New Jersey from November 2004 to January 2006. He has served in the New Jersey Senate since 1981 and served as the President of the Senate from 2002 to January 2010. He represents the 27th Legislative...
. Carton made comments about Codey's wife Mary-Jo's battle with postpartum depression prompting Codey himself to confront Carton in the studio. Carton would say "What Governor Codey ought to do is approve the use of medical marijuana so women can have a joint and relax instead of putting their babies in a microwave. Then all they want to do is cook Doritos. Women who claim they suffer from this postpartum depression ... they must be crazy in the first place." Codey would go back to respond: "I wish I weren't governor, I'd take you out", but did not say he would challenge Carton to a fight.
WFAN
- On January 18, 2008, Carton walked the Brooklyn BridgeBrooklyn BridgeThe Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
holding a sign reading “Any Given Sunday.” and wearing only a SpeedoSpeedoSpeedo International Ltd. is a manufacturer and distributor of swimwear and swim-related accessories. Founded in Australia in 1914, the industry leading company is now a subsidiary of Pentland Group Plc. Today, the Speedo brand can be found on products ranging from swimsuits and goggles to wrist...
and New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
tight-end Jeremy ShockeyJeremy ShockeyJeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
jersey after betting the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
would lose to the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the 2008 NFL playoffs. He duplicated the stunt on January 8, 2010, after betting the New York JetsNew York JetsThe 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...
would miss the playoffs.
Awards
- Talkers MagazineTalkers magazineTalkers Magazine is a trade industry publication related to talk radio in the United States. Its slogan is "The Bible of Talk Radio and the New Talk Media"...
named him one of the top 100 Most Important and Influential Talk Show hosts in the Country for three straight years. - Radio and Records nominated him in 2006 as Talk Show Host of The Year.
- PoliticsNJ.com named him the 9th most politically influential personality in the State of New Jersey (2007).
He won the Pulse of the People Award 3 years in a row (2008, 2009, and 2010).