Ellen Bacca named first female Chief Meteorologist in West Michigan

[BirdieKingBobo]

WZZM shortchanged their best meteorologist in Laura Hartman. WZZM became a laughing stock when On Target Weather and that Weather Deck came into play.... Can we just burn the damn weather deck down......

[gotigers]

The WZZM weather deck is kind of gimmicky, but at least it's an actual outdoor studio with a green screen. The Lansing knockoff "weather patio" at WILX is literally Andy Provenzano and a camera outside. Instead of a green screen, they use a double box shot (like what you'd see when an anchor and a reporter in the field are on screen at the same time). They put Andy in one box and all the usual "full screen" graphics are squished into the other box. My eye sight isn't the greatest and I can barely see the numbers on the maps. Luckily, it's only used at 5:30.

[Bull Shannon]

The weather deck is stupid; I agree.

I didn't mind the target, though. I liked the fact the weather team was held accountable for forecast accuracy.

The weather ball is even more stupid than the deck. The physical weather ball is obstructed from view from most directions. The on screen weather ball graphic is tacky as hell. During sunlight, the live shot of the weather ball is useless. Imagine how much money the station spent restoring that stupid thing, only to place it in a completely moronic location.

IIRC, the weather deck and the target were two of the main reasons why Bill jumped ship - they were too gimmicky for his tastes. Even the target is more gimmicky than anything else because it doesn't really follow any solid metrics - just vague criteria for 'close', 'very close,' whatever.

At least WZZM has transitioned away from the "On Target" branding for their weather.

[48125er]

The weather deck is stupid; I agree.

I didn't mind the target, though. I liked the fact the weather team was held accountable for forecast accuracy.

The weather ball is even more stupid than the deck. The physical weather ball is obstructed from view from most directions. The on screen weather ball graphic is tacky as hell. During sunlight, the live shot of the weather ball is useless. Imagine how much money the station spent restoring that stupid thing, only to place it in a completely moronic location.

IIRC, the weather deck and the target were two of the main reasons why Bill jumped ship - they were too gimmicky for his tastes. Even the target is more gimmicky than anything else because it doesn't really follow any solid metrics - just vague criteria for 'close', 'very close,' whatever.

At least WZZM has transitioned away from the "On Target" branding for their weather.

Don’t forget at that time WZZM had staff Intros in their opens that had funeral home type music and bland graphics
From 3:57 to 5:20.
https://youtu.be/6w9bKDhY_NI

[inmyopinion]

The weather deck is stupid; I agree.

I didn't mind the target, though. I liked the fact the weather team was held accountable for forecast accuracy.

The weather ball is even more stupid than the deck. The physical weather ball is obstructed from view from most directions. The on screen weather ball graphic is tacky as hell. During sunlight, the live shot of the weather ball is useless. Imagine how much money the station spent restoring that stupid thing, only to place it in a completely moronic location.

IIRC, the weather deck and the target were two of the main reasons why Bill jumped ship - they were too gimmicky for his tastes. Even the target is more gimmicky than anything else because it doesn't really follow any solid metrics - just vague criteria for 'close', 'very close,' whatever.

At least WZZM has transitioned away from the "On Target" branding for their weather.

Stop, Bill left because 8 threw him a ton more money and 13's inept management let his non-compete lapse so he could literally take the pay raise and be on air the following week. Money talks, always, and there's nothing wrong with that either as long as it's legal.

[inmyopinion]

Hands down the best TV meteorology crew in the state.

ZZM, despite being down a person, is also darn good.

WXMI has lost some good people lately, and I haven't watched WWMT enough in recent years to form an opinion.

Michael (Don't call me Catherine) Behrens already has a better delivery and on screen presence than George Lessons. He will be running that department sooner than later. George may be the cheesiest on-air person in the history of GR Television.

[Sholmes]

Hands down the best TV meteorology crew in the state.

ZZM, despite being down a person, is also darn good.

WXMI has lost some good people lately, and I haven't watched WWMT enough in recent years to form an opinion.

Michael (Don't call me Catherine) Behrens already has a better delivery and on screen presence than George Lessons. He will be running that department sooner than later. George may be the cheesiest on-air person in the history of GR Television.

Would that be Catherine (I sold my journalistic soul to Tegna)

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[TeleCine]

The word "chief" is offensive and disrespectful to Native Americans. She should be called the "Main Meteorologist."

[humblenewsman]

The word "chief" is offensive and disrespectful to Native Americans. She should be called the "Main Meteorologist."

I applaud the responsible use of your Thesaurus to capture the perfect synonym that works for you. I used it often while in the Newsroom.

[Radio Chili]

Is it okay to use 'Native-American Summer' as a replacement term?

[EricGRR]

Hands down the best TV meteorology crew in the state.

ZZM, despite being down a person, is also darn good.

WXMI has lost some good people lately, and I haven't watched WWMT enough in recent years to form an opinion.

Michael (Don't call me Catherine) Behrens already has a better delivery and on screen presence than George Lessons. He will be running that department sooner than later. George may be the cheesiest on-air person in the history of GR Television.

Would that be Catherine (I sold my journalistic soul to Tegna)

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

I agree that Michael Behrens has great delivery. I just watched a couple clips on YouTube as I don’t watch ZZM often and am very impressed. My guess is he will move on to a bigger market if ZZM doesn’t promote him within his next couple contract renewals.