From dogs to ‘Don Juans,’ windy weather, flying skateboards and a naughty Zanta, the news industry has been through a lot in 2014. Here are just some of the many highlights.
METEOROLOGISTS MUST HAVE DOG TREATS ON THEM 24/7
There’s really only one explanation for the amount of animals invading weather forecasts – the meteorologists are packing treats in their pockets.
That may, or may not, have been the case for Global Edmonton Weather Specialist Mike Sobel. During a Morning News forecast in October, four-legged Ripple decided he couldn’t wait for his adoption segment and it was time to play with Sobel.
In a matter of hours, the pair were Internet sensations. Ripple was adopted about a week later.
READ MORE: Mike Sobel and Ripple the dog’s weather forecast goes viral
But Ripple wasn’t the only weather pooch to make it big.
King, a one-year-old American bulldog mix, made his television debut a few minutes early at a Miami TV station in November when he interrupted a weather report catching meteorologist Ryan Phillips off-guard.
“Hey King. How are you?” said Phillips, before King leaped onto the weather desk.
“Whoa! Live TV,” said Phillips. “How are you buddy? It’s not your turn yet. You have to wait one more segment.”
READ MORE: Dog interrupts live weather report at Miami TV station
COVERING WEATHER, IN BAD WEATHER
Reporters are assigned to all kinds of dangerous weather stories. And it was no different for Global News’ Brett Ruskin in the Maritimes.
In the aftermath of tropical storm Arthur, Ruskin attempted to record an on-camera segment for a story and was nearly blown away by incredibly strong winds.
Speaking of wind, a tornado in April caused quite the moment for viewers of Mississippi NBC affiliate WTVA.
Chief meteorologist Matt Laubhan was reporting live when he realized the twister was getting dangerously close to the television station. Within seconds, Laubhan could be seen telling other staff to get to the basement as he ran out of view.
READ MORE: Weatherman orders crew to take cover as tornado hits Mississippi
FOX29’s Steve Keeley probably wishes it was only wind he experienced.
After spending all morning dressed from head-to-toe in snow gear in New Jersey, Keeley discovered just how cold New Jersey really was when a snowplow came by and blasted him and his camera-person with a huge wave of snow.
READ MORE: Reporter gets blasted by passing snowplow on live TV
LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES…LIKE A WILDFIRE
KTLA reporter Courtney Friel probably wasn’t planning to interview a shirtless man while reporting on a wildfire near Los Angeles at the end of April.
But it’s what the man said that had everyone laughing.
“Wow, you’re super pretty. You wanna go on a date sometime?”
Friel managed to keep Don Juan at bay long enough to complete her report.
READ MORE: Shirtless man asks out reporter live on-air
THE HAZARDS OF LIVE BROADCASTS
Staying with KTLA in Los Angeles, as far back as March, an earthquake helped the station’s morning news team unintentionally go viral.
A 4.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the city and the television studio, live on-the-air. Chris Schauble and Megan Henderson were sent scrambling for cover under their desk.
READ MORE: KTLA anchors duck for cover as earthquake hits
Australian Channel Seven’s U.S. Bureau Chief Mike Amor didn’t have to deal with any tremors while he was in California in November. However, he did have to deal with flying objects of the oblong variety.
Amor was nailed in the back of the head by a skateboard that came flying out of the half-pipe behind him while trying to record an on-camera segment.
“Yep, I’m alright,” the reporter can be heard saying the video. “I’m good.”
READ MORE: Reporter hit by flying skateboard on camera
NEVER REPORT ON YOUR OWN PRODUCT
A typical September newscast in Alaska got a lot more interesting during a report on Alaska’s medical marijuana debate.
KTVA 11’s Charlo Greene was talking about the Alaska Cannabis Club, a legal medical cannabis collective, when she revealed she was the owner of the business.
“Now everything you’ve heard is why I, the actual owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club, will be dedicating all of my energy toward fighting for freedom and fairness, which begins with legalizing marijuana here in Alaska,” she said.
“And as for this job, well, not that I have a choice but, f**k it, I quit.”
Greene then shrugged and walked off the set.
READ MORE: Potty-mouthed pro-pot reporter quits on live TV
ZANTA PUTS MARK CARCASOLE ON HIS NAUGHTY LIST
Zanta, aka David Zancai, made an appearance on Global News in late November while reporter Mark Carcasole was taking part in a live interview across Canada with Global BC’s Unfiltered host Jill Krop.
Carcasole was reporting from a busy sidewalk in Toronto when Zanta approached him, yelling for people to “Google Zanta!” before security pushed him back.
READ MORE: Bad Santa ‘Zanta’ tries to interrupt live news report
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