Sam Roberts (radio personality)
| Sam Roberts | |
|---|---|
 Sam Roberts while working in the Opie and Anthony studio in 2005 | |
| Birth name | Samuel Wood Roberts |
| Born | September 6, 1983 |
| Medium |
|
| Education | Syracuse University |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Children | 3 |
| Notable works and roles | Notsam Wrestling Jim Norton & Sam Roberts |
| Website | notsam |
Samuel Wood Roberts (born September 6, 1983) is an American professional wrestling personality, radio host, and podcaster. Since October 2016, he has been the co-host of Jim Norton & Sam Roberts on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.[citation needed] Roberts was an intern and producer of the Opie and Anthony radio show from 2005 until the show's end in 2014. He is also the host of Notsam Wrestling (f.k.a. Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast) and Satisfying with Nicole Ryan.
Personal life
[edit]Sam Roberts was born and raised in Westchester County, New York, where he was brought up in a close-knit and supportive family. His parents played a significant role in shaping his values, instilling in him a strong work ethic and a deep sense of curiosity about the world. Growing up, Roberts was an active participant in his school’s drama and debate clubs, which helped him develop a love for public speaking and critical thinking. His early exposure to a diverse range of ideas and cultures in his hometown fostered his interest in sociology, a field he would later pursue academically.
Roberts attended Syracuse University from 2002 to 2006,[1][2] where he majored in sociology. His time at Syracuse was marked by his active involvement in campus life and his strong academic performance. He often credits his university years as a formative period that deepened his understanding of social dynamics and human behavior, which have influenced his perspectives throughout his life.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Sam Roberts is known for his love of animals. He and his wife are proud owners of several pets, including their beloved dog, Murphy. Roberts frequently shares moments from his life with Murphy on social media, where his followers get a glimpse of his affectionate and playful interactions with his pets. This aspect of his personal life highlights his compassionate nature and his commitment to animal welfare.
Roberts also has a deep passion for music, particularly classic rock, a genre he has been fond of since his youth. He often attends concerts and music events, both locally and nationally, with his wife, and the two share a mutual appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of the music they enjoy. This shared interest is a significant part of their relationship, providing them with opportunities to bond over their favorite bands and songs.
In addition to his love for music and animals, Roberts is deeply involved in his local community. He is an active participant in neighborhood events and takes pride in supporting local businesses, often promoting them through his social media platforms. His commitment to community involvement is further reflected in his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting charities focused on children’s education and welfare. Roberts’ dedication to giving back to his community is a testament to the values instilled in him during his upbringing.
Roberts appeared on the 1990s television show Figure It Out, where he performed his trick of quarter flicking from his ankle.
In February 2017 Roberts' wife gave birth to their son named after Sam’s uncle.[3] On the March 27, 2019 episode of Jim Norton & Sam Roberts, Roberts announced they were expecting a girl, who was born on May 16, 2019.[4] On November 23, 2023, Roberts announced on his social media that his wife was pregnant with their third child. [5]
Professional career
[edit]Radio career
[edit]Roberts began his radio career in 2002 at WERW in Syracuse, NY. On June 13, 2005, he became an intern on the Opie and Anthony radio show on XM Satellite Radio, based in New York City. In 2006, he became the show's associate producer, followed by producer in January 2010.[6] In April 2011, Roberts became the host of the pre and post Opie and Anthony radio show, and became the show's executive producer in February 2014. From June 2015 to October 2016, Roberts hosted Sam Roberts' Show.
Sam Roberts quickly earned a reputation on The Opie and Anthony Show as a masterful instigator, often stirring the pot to create some of the show’s most memorable and entertaining moments. One of his most significant contributions was his role in the creation and execution of the infamous “Jocktober” segments. During Jocktober, Roberts would meticulously research and select clips from other radio shows for the hosts to dissect and mock, often leading to heated and hilarious reactions from the shows being critiqued. His knack for finding the most cringe-worthy or absurd content made these segments a fan favorite and solidified his role as a key contributor to the show’s biting humor.
Additionally, Roberts was heavily involved in the show’s intern segments, where he was known for concocting elaborate challenges and scenarios that pushed the interns to their limits. Whether it was organizing ridiculous tasks or subtly instigating conflicts among the interns, Roberts’ ability to create compelling and often chaotic content was unmatched. His contributions in these areas added a unique dynamic to the show, often leading to spontaneous and unpredictable moments that became hallmarks of The Opie and Anthony Show.
In 2011, during an appearance on The Opie and Anthony Show, Sam Roberts was involved in a memorable moment with WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. As part of the segment, Foley, who was a guest on the show, playfully fed Roberts a piece of steak while the hosts looked on in amusement. The light-hearted exchange quickly became a favorite among listeners, showcasing Foley’s humor and Roberts’ easygoing personality. This incident added to the lore of The Opie and Anthony Show and remains a frequently mentioned highlight among fans of both the show and WWE.
In the fall of 2008, Roberts and East Side Dave started Special Delivery for Sirius XM; the show started as a pre-taped hour airing on Saturday nights, then became a weekly live show. In April 2010, Roberts became the host of an overnight Top 40 music show on SiriusXM Hits 1; the show lasted for four years.
Professional wrestling
[edit]Roberts began a professional wrestling podcast named Sam Roberts' Wrestling Podcast, in October 2014.[6] In 2018, the podcast was renamed to Notsam Wrestling.
In August 2015 Roberts did a live edition of the Sam Roberts Show from Carolines on Broadway, prior to SummerSlam. The show was broadcast live on Sirius XM and included guests Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, and Corey Graves.[7][8] The following year, Roberts again did a live show from Caroline's the week prior to SummerSlam, with Kevin Owens as his guest.[9] Prior to SummerSlam 2017, Roberts once again broadcast live from Caroline's, with the moniker SummerSam III, with Mark Henry as his guest.[10]
In September 2016, Roberts was featured over a two-part episode of Vince Russo's podcast, The Swerve.[11][12]
Roberts first appeared on WWE's pay-per-view pre-show panel at December 2016's Roadblock: End of the Line.[13] He has since been part of the pre-show panel and other pre-show responsibilities for various WWE network events.
In December 2017 following Clash of Champions, Roberts made his debut as a host of WWE Talking Smack.[14] Roberts later hosted the final Talking Smack following Fastlane in March 2018.
In January 2018, Roberts hosted the Raw 25 kickoff show.[15]
During the April 15 taping of WWE Main Event, Roberts made his debut as a commentator. He has infrequently been a commentator on Main Event since then.[16]
On April 1, 2020, Roberts made his guest commentator debut during NXT alongside Tom Phillips.
In October 2020, NotSam Wrestling on the WWE Network started its first season.
Other ventures
[edit]In 2006 Roberts did voiceover work as a radio DJ in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.[17] Roberts made a cameo appearance in the 2014 film Top Five.[18] In addition, Roberts made regular appearances on Red Eye between 2015-2017. In 2016, Roberts was featured on episode 37 of The Tomorrow Show with Keven Undergaro.[19]
In 2019, he and Jim Norton appeared as recon spies on an episode of Bar Rescue.
References
[edit]- ^ "A Shot of Yager: Opie and Anthony Producer and Radio Host Sam Roberts". Campus Socialite. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Talking Terror: Sam Roberts - Diabolique Magazine". diaboliquemagazine.com. August 19, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ Jim and Sam Show (February 25, 2017), Sam's New Baby - Jim Norton & Sam Roberts, retrieved April 4, 2019
- ^ "Sam Roberts on Instagram: "Success! What do you guys think of the name?"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/oV1DEvqQXhEemx2w/?mibextid=aI5dXw [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Sirius radio host Sam Roberts building his own brand". am New York. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "WWE SummerSlam invades Sam Roberts' Show". Hear & Now. August 19, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "SiriusXM'S Sam Roberts Show Live". www.carolines.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "Wrestling Podcast 96 - Kevin Owens LIVE in NYC". NotSam.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "Mark Henry, Dan Soder, Skylar Astin, & Katie Linendoll LIVE from NYC". NotSam.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "THE SWERVE: SAM ROBERTS – PART 1 / ABFR". Vince Russo's The Brand. September 26, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "THE SWERVE: SAM ROBERTS – PART 2". Vince Russo's The Brand. October 6, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "Who's joining the Roadblock: End of the Line Kickoff?". www.wwe.com. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ "WWE Talking Smack Recap (12/17): AJ Styles Done With Jinder Mahal, Charlotte Wants To Draw, The Usos - WrestlingInc.com". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ "Raw Pre-Show to kick off monumental 25th anniversary special". WWE. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ "411Mania".
- ^ "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories Audio Extraction Guide for PlayStation 2 by prudoff - GameFAQs". www.gamefaqs.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "Watch the SiriusXM Scenes From Chris Rock's Top Five - The Interrobang". The Interrobang. January 31, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "#37 - Sam Roberts - The Tomorrow Show". The Tomorrow Show. July 26, 2016. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.