Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

We can all be critics… no doubt we are… and let me just say that in the business of broadcast television media, I have encountered my fair share. But this is not about any one particular person – this critique is about a specific naturally occurring phenomenon – a once highly billed tropical storm…her name Gabrielle.

So disappointing.

Her appearance was all glam from the start. Perhaps it was the media hype to some degree, the meteorological science – forecast models and forecasters alike who gave Gabrielle a little too much credit to another – that she would perhaps become a significant storm, likely a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. In the end, Gabrielle, floundered. She did not pack the punch that was in some circles, anxiously anticipated. She did in some local areas deliver some 8” of rain. Storm surge amounted to 1-3 feet, with waves as high as 8-12’. Some local minor flooding occurred. In short, it was handled by area residents along the North Carolina coast with relative ease. Well done. Kudos to the local officials, state and other wise, meteorologists, forecasters and news media for the fair warnings. They were warranted; par for the course… safety and preparedness saves lives. Thankfully, that fact in addition to Gabrielle being a relative “no-show” meant no casualties. No problem. Good stuff.

Consider however…

This is the season though for heightened alert, thus apprehension with respect to any tropical developments is not without merit. We are in the business of forecasting active weather that may have a detrimental impact on life, property, businesses, the local, national, and sometimes even global economy. A lot is a stake. Point taken. However, Gabrielle, was a storm that was very much like many of the so-called Hollywood starlets – who have all the cameras, the paparazzi proper pointed in their direction only to reveal beyond the thin veil of artificial appeal, very little if any substance. You know the type. You have seen the young-twenty-something’s who are paraded before the tabloid-gobbling masses, who have their own perfumes, and CD’s, feature film credits, television reality shows, books (memoirs if you can believe it!), and other… ahem…material often disseminated amongst the myriad of internet sites…some by design…other publicity…not so much.

Alas, having real talent…singers that can actually sing, are trained vocalists and/or musicians, theatrical actors, songwriters…people who have actually studied!!! – are no longer a prerequisites (or so it seems) to stardom, fame, wealth, and/or status. Scandals and pronouncements, press releases in the midst of breaking news stories – these “stars” revel in their vacuous time and space, free-falling in cyberspace, or on the six o’clock news segment of your local television station. We eat it up. They make dollars. Gabrielle your time is up. Dim the lights. Drop the curtain. Thank Goodness.

GA

Thanks to my colleague meteorologist Mike Carloni for the inspiration for writing blog. He told to me to write this. HA!