Longtime New York television anchor Rosanna Scotto became emotional during her return to Good Day New York on Tuesday, Sept. 1, as an unexpected song brought back memories of her late parents.
Scotto, 68, had only recently announced the death of her mother, Marion Scotto, who died in August at age 90.
During Tuesday morning’s broadcast, B.J. Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” began playing ahead of the weather forecast. The familiar song immediately struck an emotional chord with the veteran anchor.
“Sorry, sorry. This song reminds me of my parents,” Scotto said while fighting back tears.
She then thanked viewers for the outpouring of condolences, messages and support she had received following her mother’s death.
Even during the difficult moment, Scotto managed to bring some humor into the broadcast, saying her mother “would kill me right now if she saw me crying on the air” before trying to regain her composure.
Her Good Day New York colleagues quickly offered their support. Co-anchor Dan Bowens shared condolences on behalf of the show and its viewers, while meteorologist Mike Woods welcomed Scotto back.
Marion Scotto Died at 90
Scotto announced her mother’s death on Aug. 26 in an emotional social media tribute.
She remembered Marion as the center of the Scotto family and a woman whose influence extended well beyond her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marion was also closely associated with the family’s well-known Manhattan restaurant, Fresco by Scotto.
More than three decades ago, she reportedly took a major financial risk by mortgaging the Brooklyn family home to help launch the Midtown Manhattan restaurant.
Fresco by Scotto would eventually become a recognizable New York dining destination, attracting celebrities, political figures and other prominent guests.
For Marion, however, Rosanna said success was less about famous customers and more about making everyone who entered the restaurant feel welcome.
Rosanna Scotto Says Her Mother Would Want Her Working
Before returning to television, Scotto thanked viewers for their support and explained that going back to work was something her mother would have wanted.
She recalled how Marion handled the death of Rosanna’s father, Anthony Scotto, in 2021. Rather than allowing the family to remain away from their responsibilities for long, Marion encouraged them to return to work at the restaurant.
Scotto joked that she had already taken more time away following her mother’s death than Marion probably would have permitted.
That history made Tuesday’s return especially meaningful.
Scotto has been one of the most familiar faces in New York morning television for decades, but the brief live-TV moment showed viewers a deeply personal side of the veteran broadcaster.
Her mother’s influence, Scotto has said, centered on family, hard work, generosity and being willing to take risks for something worth believing in.
In her farewell tribute, Scotto expressed hope that Marion had been reunited with Anthony, imagining her father waiting with Frank Sinatra music.
For Scotto, the Sept. 1 return to Good Day New York marked both a return to the job her mother valued and an emotional reminder of the parents who helped shape her life.
