Brian just doesn't understand why the phone has to ring off the hook during severe weather.
Story Created:
May 1, 2008 at 11:40 PM CDT
Story Updated:
May 1, 2008 at 11:40 PM CDT
Severe weather season is always a tough, stressful time. Information is streaming in, you're trying to keep up to date on the various watches and warnings being issued for the viewing area. Severe weather in the midwest can not only be annoying but it can be deadly, which is why we as broadcasters our best to keep viewers informed. Especially when it deals with tornado warnings, meaning a tornado has been sighted and is posing a threat to a portion of the viewing area.
Which is why it never ceases to amaze me the people who call into the newsroom and complain that they can't see a TV show because of our severe weather coverage. Really? A TV show is more important than passing along potential life saving information? If stymies me and honestly, between you and me, it makes me a little mad. I have now started reminding people when they call in that if the storm was affecting their area, they would want us on the air. Just because their specific area isn't being affected doesn't mean people aren't in danger. I find this to be maddening.
It reminds me of a story I've heard about the local CBS affiliate in Dallas on November 22, 1963. President Kennedy is shot while traveling through downtown Dallas. The station breaks in and begins their coverage of the assassination attempt (and subsequent death) on the president. Soon, the phone rings. A lot. All of the people upset that they can't watch their afternoon soap opera because of the coverage. Really?
I don't think this is a news thing. Obviously I feel strongly about this because I work in news. Having said that, isn't this really an issue about caring for your fellow person and not being so selfish? Do people honestly value a TV show more than the health and well being of a person? I have been dealing with this issue for nearly 20 years now and it never ceases to amaze how, when we break into programming for valuale, important, potentially life saving information...the phones ring and people are upset.
Quote Of The Day: "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." Anthony D'Angelo
This Day In History: Tennessee Williams won the Pulitzer Prize in drama for "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" on this date, May 2nd, 1955.
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Wednesday, May 7 at 9:48 PM Grey's Lover wrote ...
Come on Brian! It's not that we don't think it's important. It is important to let people know about a storm. I get that. It's just that when a weather guy says the same stuff over, and over, and over and over, and over, we get the idea and we can move on. Then you say, "Let's throw it to so and so, what's it like out there?" They say, "It's raining and windy." Real important stuff there eh? So give me Grey's, and cover up some commercials instead of something I've waited a week to watch.