Jim Clarke from WESH / Channel 2 in Orlando came to talk about the computer generated graphics you see on the local weathercasts. He confessed that he didn't know much about computers, and that his engineer told him to say this: [he rattled on for 30 seconds talking about model numbers, speeds, disk space and so on].
Then he rolled the videotape. The TV stations receive a considerable amount of weather data from subscription services as well as from the National Weather Service. Both Channels 6 and 9 in Orlando buy their forecasts from outside vendors (WFTV buys Accu-weather, WCPX buys another service). WESH employs real meteorologists, and they prepare their own forecasts. Jim said that this was an advantage, because Miami-based forecasters tend to think of the state of Florida as being "Miami and outlying areas".
The videotape showed the raw pictures as shot from geosynchronous orbit, both in the visible and infrared spectra. He demonstrated how they massage the data in order to produce the "3-D" satellite pictures that have become so nauseatingly popular these days.
He had a couple of good stories. Seems that he first got started in television at a station in Fort Myers - "We were ranked number 4 in a market with 3 stations". The technical director - the guy who pushes the buttons and twists the knobs and actually controls what you see on your screen - was pretty much a complete doofus. Many times Jim Clarke would be doing a weathercast, and his weather chart would turn into a news story, or an upside-down map, or turn black. He said it got pretty comical after awhile, and he learned to roll with the punches (it was either that or die). Unbeknownst to him, a couple of the fellows at the station collected these, made a videotape and mailed it off. "My one claim to fame," laughed Jim, "is that I was the very first recipient of the Dick Clark Golden Bloopers Award".
Another story: "Shortly after I got into this business, I learned that we do things besides weather". TV personalities get sucked into doing appearances for various civic projects. Jim Clarke was doing the morning show at Channel 2 with a lady named Jackie Brockington, and she was talking on the air about Jim's latest public service - he was going to emcee the Bachelor Auction for the Heart Fund.
Now, it just so happened that thundershowers were forecast for the day. When Jackie closed her story about the Bachelor Auction she smoothly segued over to Jim:
"Well Jim, those bachelors will certainly be wearing their rubbers tonight..."The camera cut to Jim Clarke, who stood there with mouth opening and closing like a fish, but no words were coming out. The staff in the control room were howling and pounding the wall, falling out of their chairs. Cut back to Jackie, who has just figured out what everyone's problem is. Jim told us "Now Jackie Brockington is a black woman... but she turned red!"