Rosanna Scotto‘s return to “Good Day New York” became emotional as the longtime anchor remembered her late mother, Marion Scotto.
Scotto, 68, returned to the Fox 5 morning show Tuesday after taking time away following the death of her mother, who died Aug. 17 at age 90. Before the morning weather forecast on Sept. 1, B.J. Thomas‘ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” began playing, prompting Scotto to break down in tears.
“Sorry, sorry. This song reminds me of my parents,” Scotto told viewers as she attempted to regain her composure.
Rosanna Scotto arrives for The Hollywood Reporter’s The Most Powerful People in Media, in New York City on May 7, 2026.
Rosanna Scotto breaks down on live TV remembering mother’s death
Scotto thanked viewers for the messages and condolences she received after losing her mother, adding that Marion would not have approved of her crying during the broadcast.
“My mother would kill me right now if she saw me crying on the air, so we’re going to get it together,” Scotto said.
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Her coworkers quickly offered their support, with coanchor Dan Bowens extending condolences on behalf of Fox 5 and its viewers. Meteorologist Mike Woods also welcomed Scotto back and assured her that the team understood what she was going through.
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Ahead of her return, Scotto shared an Instagram video this morning expressing gratitude for the support she received while mourning.
“We’re back in the saddle. Mom would have wanted it that way,” Scotto said. “So thank you for the text messages, the comments, the Instagram messages. Appreciate it so much.”
The anchor said she was still reading and appreciating the messages but knew it was time to return to work.
“Mom would have wanted that,” the beloved new anchor said. “In fact, after Dad died, she had us back in the restaurant that night. So I’ve taken more time than she would have allowed if she was around.”
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Scotto first shared the news of her mother’s death in an emotional tribute on Instagram posted on Aug. 26, remembering her mother for all her achievements and dedication to her family.
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“To the world, Marion Scotto became known as the heart of Frescobyscotto. But to us, she was simply Mom,” Scotto wrote. “The woman who taught us that family comes first, that hard work is a privilege, and that faith, love and determination can carry you through almost anything.”
Known to customers as “Mama Scotto,” Marion helped the family open the restaurant in 1993 by mortgaging the Brooklyn home where she and her husband, Anthony Scotto, raised their children, Scotto shared in her tribute. The restaurant later became a popular destination for celebrities, politicians and other prominent guests.
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Actor Ben Jones, who played scruffy mechanic “Crazy” Cooter Davenport in nearly every episode of “Dukes of Hazzard” before running for Congress in Georgia, died at 84 at home in Virginia, his wife Alma Viator confirmed in an Aug. 9 Facebook post.
“I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack,” she wrote. “He loved and was loved by so many.”
(Rick Diamond, Getty Images)
Scotto shared that her mother “never measured success by who walked through the door. She measured it by whether people left feeling cared for. And well fed!”
Marion also appeared alongside her daughter during Fox 5 holiday segments, sharing recipes and family traditions. She was a mother of four, grandmother of eight and a great-grandmother. Her husband died in 2021 after more than 60 years of marriage, Fox 5 reported.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beloved anchor Rosanna Scotto cries live on air after mother’s death