MAKING HEAVY WEATHER

Press, 28 November 1987, Page 24

MAKING HEAVY WEATHER

By

WHIM WHAM

Weather presentation by New Zealand television ... fell well below standards in most other developed countries ... overseas surveys had shown that ratings improved greatly when the weather was presented by a. knowledgeable and credible person.— Dr Jim McGregor, president of the Meteorological Society. . Our Weather Ladies don’t take long. Because they talk so fast — Whether the Forecast’s fight or wrong, v Flitting so quickly past — ■ < They smile like Traffic Lights — or Babies With Wine} — or Cosmeticians— , I feel a deep Depression, after Each one of these Transmissions. Her dreary Script She gabbles through, As if she dreaded Clarity, Repeats by Rote a Phrase or Two — Perfunctory, and Parrotty! ‘Our Satellite Map’, that ‘Shower Cloud,* The Highs, the Lows, the Lot! Not to forget her Lines — or crowd That precious Weather Slot. The Weather might instruct, amuse — ' Besides, it’s undeniable, . , It’s more interesting than most’News. And very much more reliable! Sir, can’t We learn from Overseas, Whak the Presenters THERE do — \ While All we’ve got is a mindless Slot, the Weather Lady’s ‘