When an elderly woman needed some help, she turned to an unlikely source.
Instead of the usual sports talk, Tuesday’s Boomer & Gio show took an unexpected turn with a call from Joan in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Unlike many callers, Joan wasn’t there to discuss the New York Mets, nor was she a first-time caller or longtime listener.
86 year old Joan called WFAN hoping to get someone to fix several issues in her home. We delivered.
— Gregg Giannotti (@GioWFAN) June 4, 2024
Despite the recent switch to a new phone number, different from the one callers had used for 15 years, Joan managed to create a memorable moment on the air.
“I’m not doing well. I need somebody over here,” Joan said. “And I call this 8-8-8 number and somebody picked up.”
The 86-year-old Joan had no idea where the 888-808-1019 number would take her; she was hoping that someone would pick up the phone. That someone was producer Al Dukes, who said on-air that when he spoke with Joan, she let him in on some of her issues, including her dryer, La-Z-Boy, remote control, and telephone.
“How do I call somebody on my remote?” asked Joan.
The look on Boomer Esiason and Gregg Gianotti’s face was akin to a caller asking them if the Mets could go on a 35-5 run over the next 40 games. Gianotti was seemingly fascinated by the prospect of Joan’s La-Z-Boy recliner not reclining.
“I turned over the darn thing myself,” she explained. “Don’t ask me how this happened. This happened in my sleep.”
Gianotti just wanted to confirm that Joan slept-walked and knocked into her La-Z-Boy, which she said was indeed the case. As we’re all at home wondering about Gianotti about these same circumstances, the WFAN co-host asked Dukes why, in all the numbers of the world, she dialed the station.
Dukes picked up Joan’s frantic phone call. The longtime WFAN producer found himself speaking to Joan on a crackly, old-fashioned phone. Despite the poor connection, Dukes could hear her pleas for help loud and clear. Joan’s sole concern wasn’t that she’d dialed a sports station; she desperately needed assistance. Recognizing the urgency, Dukes contacted the Ridgewood, New Jersey, Police Department. He explained the situation and received confirmation that they’d conduct a well-being check on the elderly woman in distress.
And WFAN made sure to provide an update after the fact.
“Al did call the police department there in Ridgewood,” Gianotti said. “Joan did get a visit, a wellness check. And Al just got off the phone with the police officer; I was able to hear a little bit of the conversation, as well.”
“Yeah, the police officer went over there, checked on Joan and actually did fix some of her issues,” Dukes explained. “Dead batteries in her remote control, and he was able to get the La-Z-Boy off the floor and upright. He fixed the dryer, too.”
“It all came together; Joan is doing OK; her son should be back today, the officer said,” Gianotti continued. “It really is funny. She called WFAN to get those three things fixed, and she got those three things fixed.”
And Dukes wants you to know that you should call Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata if you need anything fixed.
WFAN turned into a lifeline for an elderly woman in need, proving sometimes the help you need isn’t exactly what you expect. Though let’s be honest, it probably won’t be the last time, as a frantic New York sports fan will almost undoubtedly call the station in a crisis of their own making.
Jokes aside, we’re happy to hear that Joan is doing OK.
