Rob Fox
Being a reporter can be hard in this 21st century, instant gratification media landscape. You can’t just stand around “relaying information” and “reporting facts” anymore. People have got to be WOWED. Stunned. Outraged. Frightened. Overcome with emotion. And if you slip a fact or two in there hey, good for you! This, basically:
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“Anchorman 2”
Usually, this isn’t a problem. It’s the industry standard. That said, the powers that be—and the audience—do expect reporters to at least attempt to come off as presenting the plain, unfiltered truth. None of us like being forced to confront that we’re being lied to. With that in mind, Weather Channel reporter Mike Seidel, who was in North Carolina covering Hurricane Florence, really didn’t do his job very well. To make matters even more embarrassing, he was busted by a Twitter user with the user name “@gourdnibler”.
Mike Seidel’s Extremely Dramatic Weather Report Went Viral
So dramatic! Dude from the weather channel bracing for his life, as 2 dudes just stroll past. #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/8FRyM4NLbL
— Tony scar. (@gourdnibler) September 14, 2018
The meteorologist is standing there acting like hurricane winds are absolutely battering him. The setting looks like a deserted war zone. Everything is framed up perfectly. It’s compelling television. But then two bros stroll by in gym shorts and ruin the entire facade. Nothing like two high school juniors who just smoked a bowl and are walking to the gas station to buy Flaming Hot Cheetos to ruin your shot and discredit your “I AM IN A VERY DANGEROUS AREA” ruse. There goes this guy’s Oscar and shot at Hollywood fame.
The video of Seidel faking Hurricane Florence’s high winds for The Weather Channel has gone mega-viral, trending wildly on social media. The tweet showing his live shot being ruined by two bros has been retweeted over 250,000 times. Ironically, though, now I want to see reports from Mike Seidel more, not less. Please put him in a snowstorm and roll the camera!
Weather Channel Defends Reporter
The Weather Channel came out in defense of the weatherman’s actions in the face of severe weather, making the following statement to the Washington Post: “It’s important to note that the two individuals in the background are walking on concrete, and Mike Seidel is trying to maintain his footing on wet grass, after reporting on-air until 1:00 a.m. ET this morning and is undoubtedly exhausted.”
On the bright side, at least everyone in Wilmington, North Carolina seems safer than this reporter was making them out to be. This is really only bad news for The Weather Channel correspondent. It’s great news for the people of North Carolina. I, for one, am relieved.
This article was originally published on September 17, 2018.
