Matty in the Morning Wants to Make Amends

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

Matt Siegel, longtime host of Boston’s “Matty in the Morning,” revealed that his 2022 departure followed on-air controversies over gender pronoun jokes and internal conflicts that led to strained relationships with station staff. His exit marked the end of a four-decade career defined by a mix of humor and serious coverage, with Siegel now expressing regret over past remarks and reflecting on shifts in his political views and the media landscape.

Matt Siegel, the longtime host of Boston’s “Matty in the Morning” radio show on Kiss 108, opened up about his departure from the airwaves in a recent interview, shedding light on the controversies that led to the end of his four-decade tenure. Siegel, who exited the show in 2022, discussed the circumstances surrounding his exit and reflected on his career and personal views.

Siegel had been a central figure in Boston radio since the early 1980s, known for blending humor with serious coverage during significant events such as the September 11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing. He attributed his connection with the audience, particularly female listeners, to this balance.

The host’s departure followed a series of on-air incidents that sparked tensions with station management and his cohosts. One key moment involved Siegel making jokes about singer Demi Lovato’s gender pronouns, a topic his program director explicitly warned him against addressing. Siegel chose to proceed, later acknowledging regret over the decision. The situation escalated with another contentious on-air discussion involving a private school’s gender identity policy related to his cohost’s son, which resulted in complaints filed with human resources. These disputes reportedly fractured relationships within the team.

At 72, Siegel described feeling burnt out and frustrated, leading him to resign quietly while attributing his exit publicly to health reasons and a desire to focus on family. Following his departure, his former cohosts continued the morning show under a new name.

During the interview, Siegel also addressed his evolving political outlook and his criticism of what he termed “woke culture,” linking it to broader societal shifts, including the election of former President Donald Trump. Despite the controversies, he shared highlights from his career, including memorable interviews with political figures such as Hillary Clinton on Election Day in 2016 and moments with actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon following their Oscar win.

Reflecting on his career and public persona, Siegel offered candid advice to listeners to reconsider their behavior, urging people to be less abrasive in their interactions. The interview marked a rare public statement from Siegel since his departure, providing insight into the challenges and decisions that ended an iconic Boston radio era.

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