What Happened to Opie and Anthony? Opie and Anthony Controversy
by M Nishali
Updated Dec 22, 2023
What Happened to Opie and Anthony?
Opie and Anthony, a popular American radio show hosted by Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia, faced a tumultuous journey that ultimately led to its end. The show began in 1995, gained significant popularity, and went through various phases, moving from Boston to New York City. In 2002, the show was abruptly canceled after a controversial incident.
Despite their return to the airwaves in 2004 on XM Satellite Radio, the original magic seemed elusive. The final blow came in 2014 when Anthony Cumia was fired by SiriusXM for posting controversial remarks on social media. This incident marked the end of Opie and Anthony, and while Opie and Jim Norton continued at SiriusXM for a while, the show's legacy remains tied to its rollercoaster ride and the challenges faced by its hosts.
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Opie and Anthony Controversy
Opie and Anthony, a popular radio show, faced significant controversy throughout their career. One notable incident took place in 1998, where a prank involving a couple engaging in intimate activity in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City resulted in their dismissal from WAAF. The duo later admitted that the stunt was intentional, serving as a means to leave the station due to a salary dispute.
In 2002, another major controversy arose during the Sex for Sam 3 incident, where a couple engaged in abuse acts in public places for prizes. This led to FCC fines, a public apology, and eventually the cancellation of the show by WNEW. The hosts faced further turbulence in 2014 when Anthony Cumia was fired by SiriusXM for posting racially charged remarks on social media, resulting in the ultimate end of Opie and Anthony as a radio show.
Opie and Anthony Show
The Opie and Anthony Show was a popular American radio program hosted by Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia. The show aired from 1995 to 2014 and gained widespread attention for its mix of talk, comedy, and shock jock humor. Starting in Boston and later moving to New York City, the show became known for its irreverent style and regular appearances by stand-up comedians.
Despite its success, the show faced a significant setback in 2002 when it was canceled due to a controversial incident . After a hiatus, Opie and Anthony returned in 2004 on XM Satellite Radio and later had a brief simulcast on terrestrial radio. The show met its end in 2014 when Anthony Cumia was fired over controversial social media posts, marking the conclusion of the Opie and Anthony era.
Who is Gregg Hughes?
Gregg Hughes, also known as Opie, is an American radio personality and podcast host. Born on May 23, 1963, in New York City and raised in Centerport, New York, he earned the nickname "Opie" due to his resemblance to a fictional character. Hughes began his career in radio during college, working at the university radio station.
He gained prominence as the co-host of the Opie and Anthony radio show from 1995 to 2014, alongside Anthony Cumia and comedian Jim Norton. Despite facing challenges and controversies throughout his career, Hughes continued in the radio industry, hosting shows like Opie with Jim Norton and The Opie Radio Show. His journey includes setbacks, such as being fired in 2017, but he persisted, launching The Opie Radio Podcast in 2018.
Name:
Gregg Hughes
On-Air Name:
Opie
Born:
May 23, 1963
Birthplace:
New York City, U.S.
Raised:
Centerport, New York, Long Island
Nickname:
Opie (due to resemblance to Opie Taylor from "The Andy Griffith Show")
Gregg Hughes Career
Gregg Hughes, known by his on-air name Opie, is an American radio personality and podcast host with a career full of ups and downs. Born on May 23, 1963, in New York City, Opie gained fame as the co-host of the "Opie and Anthony" radio show, which aired from 1995 to 2014 alongside Anthony Cumia and comedian Jim Norton.
After various controversies and changes in show formats, Opie continued his radio journey with "Opie with Jim Norton" following Cumia's departure in 2014. The show underwent rebranding and later evolved into "The Opie Radio Show." However, in 2017, Opie's career took a hit when he was fired for filming an employee using the toilet.
Despite the setbacks, Opie ventured into podcasting with "The Opie Radio Podcast" in 2018, showcasing his resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
Gregg Hughes Net Worth
Gregg "Opie" Hughes, a popular radio and media personality from New York, has a net worth of $14 million. Born on May 23, 1963, in Centerport, New York, Hughes earned the nickname "Opie" during his childhood due to his resemblance to a character from "The Andy Griffith Show."
He started his radio career after studying communications at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Hughes gained fame as one half of the dynamic duo on the "Opie and Anthony" show, which began in 1995 and faced its fair share of controversies.
Despite challenges and show cancellations, Hughes continued his radio journey, transitioning to satellite radio and later hosting shows like "Opie with Jim Norton" and "The Opie Radio Show." In 2017, he ventured into podcasting with "The Opie Radio Podcast." Beyond his professional life, Hughes is married to Lynsi Smigo, and they have two children.
Who is Anthony Cumia?
Anthony Cumia is an American radio personality and broadcaster best known for his role as the co-host, alongside Gregg "Opie" Hughes, of the Opie and Anthony radio show, which aired from 1995 to 2014. Born on April 26, 1961, in New York City, Cumia grew up in a family of Italian-American heritage. Before entering the world of radio, he worked in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Cumia's career took off with Opie and Anthony, gaining popularity for their unique and sometimes controversial style. In 2014, he faced a setback when he was fired by SiriusXM Radio due to controversial tweets. Undeterred, Cumia started The Anthony Cumia Show on his own online video platform, Compound Media, showcasing his continued presence in the broadcasting world.
Full Name
Anthony Cumia
Date of Birth
April 26, 1961
Place of Birth
Flushing, Queens, New York City
Nationality
American
Alma Mater
Elwood-John H. Glenn High School
Spouse
Jennifer Cumia (1990 - 2002)
Anthony Cumia Career
Anthony Cumia is an American radio personality and broadcaster, best known for co-hosting the popular radio show "Opie and Anthony" alongside Gregg "Opie" Hughes. Born on April 26, 1961, in Flushing, Queens, Cumia started his career in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems before pursuing his passion for radio.
He met Opie during an O.J. Simpson song parody contest and, together, they hosted the afternoon show "Opie and Anthony," which gained fame but also faced controversies, leading to their firing from various stations. The duo's show was nationally syndicated and faced challenges, including a cancellation over a controversial segment in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
After being fired by SiriusXM in 2014 due to controversial tweets, Cumia launched "The Anthony Cumia Show" on Compound Media, continuing his broadcasting career with a mix of talk, comedy, and interviews. Despite setbacks, Cumia's influence on radio and podcasting remains significant.
Anthony Cumia Net Worth
Anthony Cumia, born on April 26, 1961, in Long Island, is an American radio personality and actor with a net worth of $5 million. He became known as one of the hosts of the "Opie and Anthony" radio show, which ran from 1995 to 2014.
After being fired by SiriusXM in 2014, Cumia started his own podcast called "The Anthony Cumia Show," where he continues to share his thoughts and engage with listeners. Despite facing controversies and legal issues throughout his career, Cumia's net worth reflects his success and resilience in the entertainment industry.
What Happened To Opie And Anthony - FAQs
The Opie and Anthony radio show began in 1995.
The show was canceled in 2002 after a controversial segment involving St. Patrick's Cathedral during their "Sex for Sam 3" contest.
Anthony Cumia was fired from SiriusXM in 2014 for posting racially charged remarks on social media.
Yes, Opie and Anthony returned to the airwaves in 2004 on XM Satellite Radio.
The firing of Anthony Cumia by SiriusXM in 2014 marked the end of Opie and Anthony as a radio show.