I work at a Fox affiliate TV station in Kansas City. I have known some real characters and wonderful on-air moments. This was one of them, embellished for fiction, but well within the realm of probable outcome, especially if you knew the people involved.
Rochelle directs the blog. Our photographer is Roger Bultot, whose photo is really neat! Thanks, Roger. As always, let’s be friends. Please read and leave a comment and I’ll go to your blog and read yours and comment, too. 🙂
Why a TV story? Well, we used to have a graphic we’d put up of birds on a wire and the title of it saying, “Technical Difficulties, Please Stand By.” And now you know why I wrote this.
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TV Channel 3’s Weatherman, Bob Cline, really had to whiz.
“Hey, Jerry?”
The director’s voice echoed over the intercom, “Yeah, Bob?”
“How much time we got?”
“Not much.”
Bob jetted out. Producer Cindy spoke into Bob’s IFB earpiece. “Bob, answer me.” Nothing. “Bob, turn on your microphone!”
“I’m seeing a man about a horse, Cindy. What is it?”
“The commercial break is shorter today, you have five seconds.”
“I have WHAT…???”
The music came up. Too late. Bob spoke anyway. “Welcome back, everybody. Gonna be some rain today, …”
[Trickle]
“… and some signs of …
[Flush]
“… flooding, too, around the region.”
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wmqcolby 
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Hahahaha! That was quite hilarious (and ugh!)!
Now, I gain some insights into the behind-the-scenes activities of television people. 🙂
Some of it was true, believe it or not. Some days you just can’t write this stuff. Who would believe it?
🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh, great characters. I love that insight into a (for me) strange world. And funny, too.
It’s based on a true incident, fictionalized for funny-ness. The guy it’s based on was a guy I worked with for many years and he was known to be not so shy about stuff — even during a broadcast!
loved it, but not the image playing in my head 😉
There are worse things I could have written about this guy and they would have been real. He was the funniest guy I ever worked with.
I’m glad Bob didn’t have to do #2. Then we could have experienced some thunder followed by gigantic hail the size of Baby Ruth bars.
The “real” Bob would have understood this comment. He also would have found some way to work it into the broadcast, too! 😀
Thankfully no warning for thunder then. Bob does get credit for thinking on his feet.
I think he was doing a lot more than thinking while standing … (barrump-BUMP!)
Haha! Very funny, Kent. At least the station got some sound effects out of it! Good improvising on Bob’s part. You got to be flexible with those weather changes. 🙂
The “real” Bob, well, he was the kind of guy who really would have done something like this. Part of the story DID happen, although, the flush was my idea. It still sounds like him, though.
That was indeed funny, Kent! I could well imagine it happening for realz… 😉
Some of it actually DID. I might write about this guy again. I already have twice in the blog a long time ago. He was funny! Didn’t care at ALL!
Must be a hoot and a half to work with… or not!
Sounds like a lot of material there then!
He really was. I worked on the Morning Show for 18 years. I could write a book!
Maybe you should…
He would be the template, but based on others.
Realistic!
Very. AND … I have a feeling there’s plenty more where that came from.
Haha! I’m sure that was entertaining to the listeners!! 😀
Oh, listen! I have anecdotes galore about the craziness that goes on in TV. This is one example. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Looking forward to reading more! 🙂
Thanks, Rashmi. I’ll try. 🙂
ha ha. Funny story. I can see this happenning ..at work when we are on conference calls with a large number of telecommuters sometimes there is a flush and a trickle 🙂
Really? hahaha! I’d love to sit in on something like that.
the birds eavesdropping from telephone wires must be amused …er, mesmerized. 🙂
Yeah! 😀
Very funny, I like where you took the prompt. I was reminded of a fairly well known British singer who was, shall we say, particularly well blessed. He did an entire television show sitting at a desk with nothing on except a shirt, jacket and tie. The camera shook from beginning to end.
Hahahahahahaha! Oh for the love of Pete! That is CRAZY. What was this guy’s name, anyway? I know of a few.
And dear listener the sound effects are free.😄😄😄
Hahahahahahaha! Thanks, Mike! 😀
Very funny and perfectly set up. Loved it 🙂
Very happy to see you after all this time, El! You have been sorely missed.
Thank-you for your nice comment. 🙂
Good one. you made me snicker 🙂
Thanks, Dawn! Going for those “real-life experiences” again.
You’re joking – is that really true? Very funny and well written. Did he lose his job, or is he still in TV? Great story 🙂
Haha! Yes, part of it is true, the part where the producer was talking to him while he was using the facility. No, he never lost his job. In fact, he was very well-liked by us and all of Kansas City. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago rather tragically and is sorely missed. The “sound effects” part? No, it didn’t happen — but I never would have put it past him. Stuff happens early in the morning that you can get away with. 😀
Ah, bless him – how sad the city lost him. I’m sure radio presenters get away with a lot of similar ‘sins’ their TV buddies probably couldn’t, too. The mind boggles! Thanks for great story 🙂
Hey, thanks, Lynn. In the old days of radio, the big trick was to set fire to their copy while reading it on the air. 😀
Ha! I’ve heard an old DJ here used to do that to his fellow jocks. They must have had hearts of steel in those days – and fingers of asbestos 🙂
I’d love for those days to return. 😀
Ha.. yes I have heard that happening.. but never in live broadcast… I guess there are a few times when leaving with the toilet unflushed would be excusable.
Oh, it’s been known to happen. Although, it’s more common in weddings where the groom gets his portable mic on and you hear all kinds of embarrassing conversations by the groomsmen over the public address system of the church! YIKES!
OMG – now that is hysterically funny. But then again, if most people actually were birds on a wire and could see what happens in production, whether for t.v., or radio, or actually in most day-to-day things, they would be floored. For whatever reasons, human minds tend not to stretch to the possibilities of, hey, things happen at the most “inopportune” moments! 😀
Oh yes!
Hilarious, Kent. I felt like I heard it. That’s kind of like those old radio programs with the sounds effects guy. 😀 — Suzanne
Hahahaha! Thanks, Suzanne. I have been in the biz for 26 years and some things never change.
Haha, I like this character. This made me smile after a long day!
Neat! I actually worked with a guy like this one. He’s based on real life. Hopefully, I will do more stories about him. Thanks for reading, Emily. 🙂