One Austin station back in the 1960s hired the meteorologist who had been working at the municipal airport to advise them on weather. James C. Fiddler was his name and he was the exact opposite of your skilled tv weather showman. He mumbled into his microphone. He turned his back to the camera while pointing. He abstained from any anchor banter.
But the guy knew his stuff when it came to weather and the newscasts became the highest rated in town because people wanted to know the truth about upcoming storms. He was a staple for over 20 years.
Then, one day he was arrested in a police sting dealing with pedophiles and his career was ruined. “Fiddler The Diddler” stayed on the air only briefly until the station could find a replacement.
But the guy knew weather.
I watched James C. Fidler doing the weather for most of the 20 years he was on the air. He was the only weatherman to watch when there was severe weather in Central Texas (which happens fairly often). It was a damned shame when he turned out to be a pedophile.
Sounds like the late Harold Taft of KXAS in Dallas-Fort Worth. He was an institution in that market for over 40 years, and had a sterling reputation, both personally and professionally. When the weather turned bad in the Metroplex, Channel 5’s ratings soared, because Mr. Taft knew his stuff and everyone trusted him.