This Just In: Local News Teams Not Celebrities
Not in New York. Not in Beijing. Not in Toledo. Not even in a town with a population of 636. There is simply no circumstance or situation at any time in which a member of the local news team is a celebrity. Reason number 1, 32 and 166: no one outside of your precious hometown knows who in the world that charming weather guy “who just cheers me up in the morning” is.
Look, I’m happy to acknowledge that some people have the voice for television. And others have the look. But none of them is a member of your local news team. He/she would have moved on to bigger and better things by now. So if you happen to see the anchorman for Channel 4 news pumping gas at your neighborhood fueling station, do not honk your horn. If you happen to bump elbows while reaching over the salad bar at your Tuesday night restaurant pick, don’t go out of your way to apologize. And please, above all else, don’t give these talking heads any more confidence than they somehow already have.
To be fair, I suppose I can understand their inflated self-worth a little bit. I mean, they did go to school for four years, minus the weather people, only to emerge with a degree in Communications. We all know how hard those are to come by. Oh, and for those of you who are going to cry journalism, let me just say that if you are indeed smart enough to get a degree in Broadcast Journalism, then there’s no doubt you’re already on ESPN, or some other major television network (i.e. an actual celebrity). If you’re not, don’t worry, it won’t be long now.
So, in summary, if you ever find yourself in a situation where a member of your local news team is near you, do not talk, do not stare, do not point. Do not even glance a little longer than usual. Because then, you’re only telling the world that it’s an impressive and admirable achievement to be able to read scrolling words and look at a camera (even though they’re really not) at the same time.
My sister is a local Meteorologist on Fox 2 here in St Louis. I haven’t been out to eat in 16 months without someone coming up to her, or my mom assuming someone is going to.
She is humbled and appreciative of all the words of encouragement. But, I just feel awkward about the whole thing.
The other day it got to the point where we had to run interference on a guy who was seemingly following her around the restaurant. I’m sure he meant no harm, but still made her feel uncomfortable which she never does.
Bottom line: Just because you are on TV, doesn’t make you a celebrity. And I think the problem might be worse than even the Surely Birds think.