Who will replace Rick Mitchell on KOCO?

[jn1780]

LOL That's very true. Part of my point about Emily is that Ch. 5 is looking for someone who can beat Gary England and Mike Morgan in the ratings. Not only has Emily not gotten past Mike Morgan at Ch. 4, she hasn't gotten past David Payne, either. It would be a huge gamble to think she'd suddenly turn into a world-beater if named chief. I'm not a big fan of David Payne, but I would have to admit that among the crop of local meteorologists, he's probably the one who would have the best chance of going up against Morgan and England.

If their looking to use doom to get ratings he probably is there best man. Of course, I have never seen him anywhere but out in the field during a severe weather event. It would be a big change for him.

[Video Expert]

IMO, Emily Sutton does a great job with her actual weather casts during typical Oklahoma weather days. I think she is very organized and is fantastic at what she does. With that said, I have seen her struggle during severe weather outbreaks and during chase coverage where she is out in the field. Her main problem was with geography and judging distances during crunch time. She seems to not know, or it takes her some time to tell the viewers exactly where she is and where the storm is when asked by Mike Morgan. She has had trouble estimating the distance and/or direction from the tornado or wall cloud relative to her position, and she also struggles to name what towns may be in the path of danger. I do believe that as she gains experience, she will get much better at this part of her job.

Say what you want about David Payne, but the guy is money during crunch time. I agree he takes some huge risks, and I also agree he is pretty annoying during the "Rise and Shine" newscast. But the guy knows weather, is great under pressure situations, and does a great job letting viewers know when they need to take cover. He or Michael Armstrong would be the best local candidates for the job in my opinion. I think Rusty McCranie is also pretty good and is somewhat underrated.

If they were to look outside the market, I'd go after Birmingham, Alabama's James Spann. He would probably never leave Alabama (especially to go to KOCO), but the guy is absolutely fantastic. Below is a video of his work during the April 27, 2011 tornado in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Link

Here's another video of James Spann discussing that outbreak

Link

[jn1780]

IMO, Emily Sutton does a great job with her actual weather casts during typical Oklahoma weather days. I think she is very organized and is fantastic at what she does. With that said, I have seen her struggle during severe weather outbreaks and during chase coverage where she is out in the field. Her main problem was with geography and judging distances during crunch time. She seems to not know, or it takes her some time to tell the viewers exactly where she is and where the storm is when asked by Mike Morgan. She has had trouble estimating the distance and/or direction from the tornado or wall cloud relative to her position, and she also struggles to name what towns may be in the path of danger. I do believe that as she gains experience, she will get much better at this part of her job.

This is a combination of experience and not being from Oklahoma, but their not looking for another chaser and I think David Payne would get bored not chasing storms. I guess there's no written rule where he has to stay at the studio. lol

[progressiveboy]

I think Wayne Shattuck would be a great fit. He currently does the weather on ABC affiliate in Tampa Florida. He is a seasoned professional and has done the weather 3 different times in OKC. He moved away, came back, moved away on several occasions. He even filled in for Spencer Christian on national television. Not sure if he could be persuaded to come back to OKC from sunny, suncoast Florida?

[Celebrator]

That Spann guy in AL sure has a great demeanor and a set of pipes that is very easy on the ears.

[TaoMaas]

...I think David Payne would get bored not chasing storms.

Being the chief met inside a weather center in Oklahoma during a severe storm is anything but boring. That's not an issue. It's like saying you might get bored being the head coach of the Sooners during a nationally televised game. lol Ain't gonna happen.

[jn1780]

Being the chief met inside a weather center in Oklahoma during a severe storm is anything but boring. That's not an issue. It's like saying you might get bored being the head coach of the Sooners during a nationally televised game. lol Ain't gonna happen.

To us maybe

[TaoMaas]

To us maybe

To you, maybe. My job put me inside those weather rooms for 5 years. It's not boring to be the man.

[boscorama]

Perhaps JN was thinking of the "weather center" at the tv station to be like office work compared to being out there experiencing the drama firsthand. You know, getting yer hands dirty.

Can you imagine Mike Morgan or Gary England reporting from a stormchasing vehicle during a tornadic event? Poor Mike might have a bad hair day, and Gary, well, lord knows what might happen to him.

[TaoMaas]

Perhaps JN was thinking of the "weather center" at the tv station to be like office work compared to being out there experiencing the drama firsthand. You know, getting yer hands dirty.

Most tv meteorology work is weather center related. And you're right...it's a lot like office work. With storm-chasers, there's two different kinds. Keeping in mind that all of these guys are complete weather geeks (on-air or not), there are some guys who just love chasing storms and there are some who love storms, but also love the air time. David Payne is in the latter group. So while he may miss the excitement of chasing storms, I think the enjoyment he would get out of being the center of attention would far out-weigh the negatives of not being out in the field. Or heck...maybe he'll be the one to create something new...a chief meteorologist who's actually out in the field on the edge of the storms as he's reporting them. Who knows?

[venture]

Most tv meteorology work is weather center related. And you're right...it's a lot like office work. With storm-chasers, there's two different kinds. Keeping in mind that all of these guys are complete weather geeks (on-air or not), there are some guys who just love chasing storms and there are some who love storms, but also love the air time. David Payne is in the latter group. So while he may miss the excitement of chasing storms, I think the enjoyment he would get out of being the center of attention would far out-weigh the negatives of not being out in the field. Or heck...maybe he'll be the one to create something new...a chief meteorologist who's actually out in the field on the edge of the storms as he's reporting them. Who knows?

Actually not that new. I've seen a few stations back in the Great Lakes where their Chiefs were out storm chasing severe weather or coverage snow storms out in the elements. It's just something that hasn't been done here yet from what I've seen.

[TaoMaas]

Actually not that new. I've seen a few stations back in the Great Lakes where their Chiefs were out storm chasing severe weather or coverage snow storms out in the elements. It's just something that hasn't been done here yet from what I've seen.

A chief met out in snow storms might be big up north, but it wouldn't be much here. However, storm chasing would be different.

[Northwestsider]

Has anybody heard any new names or any new info on the names we know? Is KOCO ever going to get around and find a replacement?

[Tydude]

Does anyone have any details on who is going to be the new Chief at KOCO 5

[joshnziggy]

I find it interesting that the search for KOCO's new Chief Meteorologist has gone cold! Anyone have updates?

[RadicalModerate]

i think that someone who goes by the code name HWTJ may be under consideration . . .
yet his prognostications go far beyond Fallis, Gotebo and Tribbey. . .
in fact, they extend all the way to the far flung Isles of Langerhans (capitol:Globalberg)
and perhaps a bit in the direction toward a point too close to worrying aboot the fact that a wee bit o' rain can equal wet pavement.
and he's so damned pessamistic all the time . . .
especially aboot the lack of polar bear territory . . .=)

apropos or faux pas?
vis-a-vis whether (or not) prediction . . .


today was nearly perfect weather-wise
for October . . . in OK . . .=)

(especially compared to the angst that Rebus and Wallender and Honey Boo Boo are suffering . . .)

I'd watch this broadcast only because the WeatherDog
is definitely not a Pit Bull . . .


Back t' y'all, Josh and Zig . . .
Dave? =)