Bernadette's true voice
August 11, 2023 10:16 AM Subscribe
Transportation journalist, radio personality and voice-over artist Bernie Wagenblast has been the iconic voice of the New York City transit system for over a decade. Last fall, at the age of 66, she presented herself publicly as a transgender woman.
Depending on where I am (on the stairs racing down or already in the car), the "Watch the closing doors" announcement is either the saddest thing bc I have to wait for the next train or the happiest because I made it.
Growing up in NY in the 70s and 80s, everyone had an imitation of Marv Albert the Knicks and Rangers announcer back in the day. For those of us growing up on Long Island, we all had imitations of the Long Island Railroad announcement, "Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Copiague, Amityville..." "Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, Great Neck, Manhasset, Plandome and Port Washington, this is Woodside station Woodside, ALL ABOARD!"
For kids growing up in NYC Bernadette's announcements are also much imitated, but never quite duplicated. "Watch the closing doors." "Stand back from the moving platform (14th street/Union Sq)" etc. I do believe if I heard that voice randomly on a street in another city or country, I would recognize it immediately.
As for the transition, I am sorry she felt like she had to wait so long, but very glad she made the decision and her willingness to be public about it to help others in their transition.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:57 AM on August 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Growing up in NY in the 70s and 80s, everyone had an imitation of Marv Albert the Knicks and Rangers announcer back in the day. For those of us growing up on Long Island, we all had imitations of the Long Island Railroad announcement, "Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Copiague, Amityville..." "Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, Great Neck, Manhasset, Plandome and Port Washington, this is Woodside station Woodside, ALL ABOARD!"
For kids growing up in NYC Bernadette's announcements are also much imitated, but never quite duplicated. "Watch the closing doors." "Stand back from the moving platform (14th street/Union Sq)" etc. I do believe if I heard that voice randomly on a street in another city or country, I would recognize it immediately.
As for the transition, I am sorry she felt like she had to wait so long, but very glad she made the decision and her willingness to be public about it to help others in their transition.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:57 AM on August 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
<3 So happy for her.
posted by objectfox at 11:10 AM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by objectfox at 11:10 AM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Happy for her. I feel like I know her already.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:32 AM on August 11, 2023
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:32 AM on August 11, 2023
to paraphrase some of the comments, (at least the top few dozens of which are uniformly positive)
"Best name ever for a transit announcer? WAGENBLAST"
posted by lalochezia at 11:45 AM on August 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
"Best name ever for a transit announcer? WAGENBLAST"
posted by lalochezia at 11:45 AM on August 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
JohnnyGunn: Growing up in NY in the 70s and 80s, everyone had an imitation of Marv Albert the Knicks and Rangers announcer back in the day. For those of us growing up on Long Island, we all had imitations of the Long Island Railroad announcement, "Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Copiague, Amityville..."
You can’t give up too soon and omit the customary pronunciation of Babylon as “BAB-LINNNNN!” If you’re heading near diesel territory, they never pass up the opportunity to say “Speonk” with flair.
posted by dr_dank at 11:58 AM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
You can’t give up too soon and omit the customary pronunciation of Babylon as “BAB-LINNNNN!” If you’re heading near diesel territory, they never pass up the opportunity to say “Speonk” with flair.
posted by dr_dank at 11:58 AM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
i support trains people
posted by i used to be someone else at 12:10 PM on August 11, 2023 [34 favorites]
posted by i used to be someone else at 12:10 PM on August 11, 2023 [34 favorites]
For kids growing up in NYC Bernadette's announcements are also much imitated, but never quite duplicated. "Watch the closing doors."
"Stand clear of the closing doors, please" BING BONG
This is burned into my subconscious.
posted by rhymedirective at 12:48 PM on August 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
"Stand clear of the closing doors, please" BING BONG
This is burned into my subconscious.
posted by rhymedirective at 12:48 PM on August 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Congratulations to her!
posted by praemunire at 1:47 PM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 1:47 PM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Stand clear of the closing doors, please" is *the* line I associate with the subway, although I have heard people mentioning "mind the gap" often enough that it is a close second even though I haven't been to the relevant train system for that one.
posted by Whale Oil at 2:14 PM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Whale Oil at 2:14 PM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
It warms my heart to see a post like this where every comment is positive and supportive. This is the best place on the Internet.
posted by mike3k at 10:27 AM on August 12, 2023
posted by mike3k at 10:27 AM on August 12, 2023
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posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:46 AM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]