David Payne

[SoonerDave]

He did.

The plan is for Gary to retire in 2014. Starting in Jan David will do some 6pm slots and them ultimately take over 10pm when Gary leaves completely.

David got a lot money to move.

The day Gary England retires will be a monumental changing of the guard in Oklahoma City broadcast weather/news.

And it reminds me I'm getting old.

[Pete]

I think they have all agreed Gary will step down and totally hand over the mantle in the fall of 2014; so about two years from now.

David won't be doing the morning shows; mainly 4/5/6 PM with some 10PM. I think the transition to David from Gary as their main guy will be gradual but there is a definite date when the final change will be made.

Now that this is out, it will be interesting to see how long Channel 4 lets David stay on the air. Often in these situations, the defector is immediately yanked even though they have to continue paying on the contract. That hasn't happened yet, but don't be surprised if suddenly you no longer see David on Channel 4. I doubt he's on the air there past December 1, if he makes it that long.

[Of Sound Mind]

When did "Kevin" become a part of this?

[Pete]

When did "Kevin" become a part of this?

When I had a brain cramp!

I corrected my post above.

[OKCisOK4me]

Just as long as Gary's contract is over after a Friday night broadcast. That way I can hear, "Jump back Loretta, it's Friday night in the big town!" one more time. :-)

[jn1780]

I think they have all agreed Gary will step down and totally hand over the mantle in the fall of 2014; so about two years from now.

David won't be doing the morning shows; mainly 4/5/6 PM with some 10PM. I think the transition to Kevin from Gary as their main guy will be gradual but there is a definite date when the final change will be made.

Now that this is out, it will be interesting to see how long Channel 4 lets David stay on the air. Often in these situations, the defector is immediately yanked even though they have to continue paying on the contract. That hasn't happened yet, but don't be surprised if suddenly you no longer see David on Channel 4. I doubt he's on the air there past December 1, if he makes it that long.

Its only two months, better than the Jim Gardner treatment. Its the other three who would have to take extra shifts just so KFOR can be pointlessly petty.

[Jim Kyle]

Its only two months, better than the Jim Gardner treatment. Its the other three who would have to take extra shifts just so KFOR can be pointlessly petty.

Talk about "pointlessly petty," back in the mid-50s when I was a news stringer for them, all of the news crew used "air names" rather than their real names, and those air names were owned by the station. This prevented the newsman from building a local reputation under his real name, but that didn't stop "Mack Rogers" from going to the big time under his own name, Frank McGee. Nor did "Reed Connelley" prevent Ross Cummings from opening a major PR operation. Similarly "Grant Foster" had a nice career after Jim Terrell left that air name behind when he left the station.

I think Ernie Schultz was the first newsman to use his own name on the air, at Channel 4...

[Romulack]

I had always thought David Payne would end his career at KFOR with some aerial footage of a tornado . . . taken from his car. Every year it seemed he was getting closer to accomplishing that, but I guess it'll never happen. Woulda been awesome.

[jn1780]

I had always thought David Payne would end his career at KFOR with some aerial footage of a tornado . . . taken from his car. Every year it seemed he was getting closer to accomplishing that, but I guess it'll never happen. Woulda been awesome.

Well, Gary England hasn't retired yet. There may be 1 or 2 seasons of chasing left for him.

[ou48A]

Talk about "pointlessly petty," back in the mid-50s when I was a news stringer for them, all of the news crew used "air names" rather than their real names, and those air names were owned by the station. This prevented the newsman from building a local reputation under his real name, but that didn't stop "Mack Rogers" from going to the big time under his own name, Frank McGee. Nor did "Reed Connelley" prevent Ross Cummings from opening a major PR operation. Similarly "Grant Foster" had a nice career after Jim Terrell left that air name behind when he left the station.

I think Ernie Schultz was the first newsman to use his own name on the air, at Channel 4...

Does that mean that Jack Ogle wasn’t really Jack Ogle?

[TaoMaas]

Its only two months, better than the Jim Gardner treatment. Its the other three who would have to take extra shifts just so KFOR can be pointlessly petty.

That's just the way the business is. It's the same as when Ch. 5 pulled Mike Morgan off the air after he told them he was moving to Ch. 4. The idea is to blunt the person's popularity as much as you can before handing them over to a competitor.

[CuatrodeMayo]

I always assumed Michael Armstrong would be the one to suceed Gary. He seems to have already taken over many of the newscast duties.

[Brett]

Two words... "Killer" "Tornado".

[Anonymous.]

David Payne is by far the most talented meteorologist on the local media stations today.

I am somewhat sad as the Morgan/Payne combo was stellar. And also sad that this most likely means in 2014, David will not be in the field chasing... Which is what he does best.


I wonder how much $ they had to give him to leave KFOR? Any ideas?

[Pete]

I wonder how much $ they had to give him to leave KFOR? Any ideas?

They paid him a good chunk, but I can't be specific.

Don't think it's as much as MM but close.

[venture]

They paid him a good chunk, but I can't be specific.

Don't think it's as much as MM but close.

They'll make up the difference with the new "Payne Pod". David Payne providing live coverage of tornado outbreaks from inside a pod launched from RangerSkyNewsWhateverTLXHD 9 and shot directly into a tornado.

[Dubya61]

They'll make up the difference with the new "Payne Pod". David Payne providing live coverage of tornado outbreaks from inside a pod launched from RangerSkyNewsWhateverTLXHD 9 and shot directly into a tornado.

Can I be the second person to ride in that and walk away?

[Anonymous.]

This morning 12/14/2012 was David's last day @ KFOR.

[Charlie40]

This morning 12/14/2012 was David's last day @ KFOR.

How do you know this?

[RadicalModerate]

Perhaps by way of an Anonymous.Tip?

[Tydude]

How do you know this?

He announced it on his twitter account that this was his last day and heading over to News 9.

[Of Sound Mind]

How do you know this?

https://twitter.com/tornadopayne/sta...89819401789441

[RadicalModerate]

I like David Payne's mix of dry humor and ennui on that early morning show with that other guy.
It provides a welcome relief and balances Tornado Panic.
Is he bringing a new, improved version of The Miraculous ThunderLizard with him to the new gig?
Perhaps a Virtual RainDancer with a pouch full of CloudSeeds?

[ljbab728]

I would hardly describe his humor as dry. It's more HeeHaw or grade school. He's fine as a weatherman but his personality turns me off completely. I'm a regular KFOR viewer and won't miss him in the least.

[RadicalModerate]

I agree. Thank you for correcting my adjective (vis-a-vis LocalTVCelebrities).
(So . . . Where is that Braum's on Hefner just east of the New! Improved!! Love's Headquarters? =)
Remember? The "mind-reading" thing? (about 3000 posts ago? =)

For the Record: I will not miss ANY TV Weatherman anymore than you will.
(with the possible exception of Triumph The Insult Dog [visiting Hawaii] on Youtube)