Storm Chaser "Competition" TV Show

[Mikey Gribble]

Just tell me where to sign. I'll do it.

 

[cedwards]

I was contacted a few years ago about a similar show that would have competition among chase tours. I guess that one never made it any farther than the research phase.

 

[Tarmo Tanilsoo]

Maybe administrators can organize some kind of petition to the Stormtrack web site? Like Michael said - tell me where to sign.

 

[Mikey Gribble]

Actually I was being sarcastic when I said "tell me where to sign". I was insinuating that Warren should send them my way. I already chase like a jackass, so I might as well get on TV while I'm doing it. I'll be the guy with the weather station dragging behind my car because I broke it in half doing 120mph through baseball size hail.

 

[Willie Dines]

I second the petition idea because no matter how any production companies look at it, chasing severe weather, is dangerous enough on it's own, without putting life further at risk, but wanting to break the sound barrier down a highway, in order try and get to a tornadic storm before the next guy, is simply too much of a risk to human life and limb, for it ever to be considered by chasers/spotters.

Yes, please set up a petition if possible, I'll happily sign my name because you guys already risk your lives alot already, in just being stormchasers, without some stupid TV show making it more dangerous.

Willie

 

[B Ozanne]

Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds. In the show Deadliest Catch there is a competition that most viewers don't really know about. There is a prize for the boat that catches the most crab. I think I read $200,000. But there is no grand ceremony for the winning boat. I think the competition just keeps the captains motivated to all go out at the same time and make filming easier.

By our reasoning you'd expect this competition to enduce dangerous behavior on the crab boats. Well, what they do is already dangerous, and after watching the show I don't think they do anything unusual for crabbers.

Assuming the show isn't on Fox the competition might not be as cutthroat as we imagine. Maybe just a side plot to the real story of following chasers.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Chasing as it is, is so dangerous, I think maybe we should all just stop. I'll sign that petition. Perhaps we could teach cattle to report tornadoes. I'm sure there is some other "moo" they have when they see one. That would end the whole nws accepting reports debate too. I feel it's not only not worth the risk a competition would create, but just in general....too risky for us all.

 

[Dan Robinson]

That's the main problem. Most of the longtime and well-meaning chasers (which make up the majority of us) will shun this, while the extreme fringe will most likely take it up. There are a lot of media people involved in storm chasing, or at least a lot of them in regular dialog with chasers. From the many I've spoken with, they are aware of these issues. Many even read ST, particularly a good number of TV mets across the country.

My hope is that once something like this does eventually happen, it will be 'big enough' that our allies in the media will finally set the record straight. Maybe that's wishful thinking.

 

[SteveCarter]

A lot to think about. What disturbs me is the COMPETING part. So you're 900 yards away from a tornado, and another competiter stupidly drives by, then it's a see-saw thing, and somebody is killed. I talked to a TV show about a year ago, but it was totally different. It was a documentary for three days of storm chasing...no competition thing. It fell through, for the time being at least. As far as THIS show in concerned, somebody WILL do it...no doubt. NO DOUBT. Would I do it? Maybe. Would I jeapardize my life or friends in doing it? No way. I wouldn't win it, but I might would do it. I know that isn't the "politically correct" thing to say here, but let's face it...someone WILL do it. Why not try to get REAL storm chasers who would respect the "rules" of chasing, and who would tame the show down some? I think it's a horrible premise tho...to see who can get the CLOSEST!? Insane. We don't have all the details either, just the jist of it. Stay tuned. The one thing that bothers me the most is the portrayal of storm chasers after something like this would air. The LAST thing we need is any kind of government interference or MORE joy-riders who want to "bag a tornado".

 

[David Wolfson]

It's really hard to take this seriously, but... there could be ways to do this constructively. First, rules and penalties for exceeding speed limits, passing or evading police roadblocks, driving recklessly, or mooching wi-fi could be enforced. Second, access to nowcasting, information, and equipment can be made a level playing field. Everyone gets the same vehicle, mobile data services, and in-vehicle equipment. Third, each chase vehicle should be at least a two person team, with a driver and a navigator/logger -- who would alternate duties on successive chases. The driver would not be allowed to consult the computer or map, use a cell phone, etc., while the vehicle is moving.

Judging would be based on a number of factors, including chaser responsibility and cooperative decision-making, besides the obvious relative storm positioning and weather feature success. A show like that would be a hoot (to a very specialized audience ).

 

[George Kourounis]

I feel I should chime in here. First of all, let me state that I am NOT involved with the production that Warren mentioned but I do speak from experience since I do have my own 13 episode storm chasing TV series. Thanks for raising the topic.

The whole "competition" concept was probably someone's idea to try and make storm chasing more compelling to the audience. Let's face it. Most of the time, chasing involves making a forecast and then a long, boring drive. Not exactly prime time material. The competition aspect adds tension when the skies are blue and more danger when things really start to heat up.

As a matter of fact, the producer of my show suggested this very concept at one point a few months ago. I explained to him my distaste for the idea and it was soon dropped but it was a natural thing for him to suggest. Mind you, he was ridiing with me last year during the death ridge in the last 2 weeks of May so he never even had the opportunity to experience the wonders of a "real" chase.

That's how TV works. They want to tell an interesting story that'll grab viewers. Period.

If the show gets funding, they will make it. If they make it, somebody will sign up, but beware the editing process. It doesn't matter what you say, the stuff you really want to make it in will probably hit the cutting room floor. I'm very lucky in that I have a tremendous amout of input on Angry Planet but that would likely not be the case with this show.

My 2 cents.
George Kourounis
Host - Angry Planet
Ourdoor Life Network, Canada
www.angryplanet.tv
www.stormchaser.ca

 

[Billy Griffin]

Personally, I don't think this show (if it were to evolve) would last more than a few episodes. The general public has lost a lot of the interest that was there in the mid-90s. I mean, all the talk about a Twister II, etc... remember all those "twister-like" shows that were out about that time as well? Night of the Twisters, Tornado, Atomic Tornado, etc. - don't see anything new that I recall, other than the occasional National Geographic show with the same group featured in every show.

For well over ten years now, the public has been well exposed to the word "storm chaser." I'm just speaking for myself here, but even the mention of that word gets nowhere near the reaction as it did many years ago. People have seen so much tornado video, it's perhaps run its course.

If you seriously sit down and think about trying to produce an hour-long show, or even 30 minutes, what would you do, especially on all the "bust" days? Our definition of a bust, versus the TV show's definition would be quite different. Then what - 30 minutes of giggling women in bikini tops or guys talking about how they're going to "whoop" the other team?

Bottom line, I don't put much to this speculation and I think everyone's worried way too much. I could really care less. Any person with enough money can produce a show about anything. I'm actually surprised it's taken this long for this to come about.

Happy chasing everyone!

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I feel I should chime in here. First of all, let me state that I am NOT involved with the production that Warren mentioned but I do speak from experience since I do have my own 13 episode storm chasing TV series. Thanks for raising the topic.

After visiting your site -- holy cow, I want to watch your show!

 

[Robert Edmonds]

If you seriously sit down and think about trying to produce an hour-long show, or even 30 minutes, what would you do, especially on all the "bust" days? Our definition of a bust, versus the TV show's definition would be quite different. Then what - 30 minutes of giggling women in bikini tops or guys talking about how they're going to "whoop" the other team?

Sounds like what they have to work with for survivor. Ever look at how many story writers are on staff for these "reality" shows (wait why do you need a story writer for a reality show?). Believe me they could easily get 30 minutes to an hour out of each episode.

 

[Doug_Kiesling]

Yeah, they contacted me and looking for names of people a few months back and I told them about a few people who would be good to contact about this. Last I heard from them was in December so I guess this is dead in the water with BBC.

What I was told was it was a cross between Deadliest Catch and Monster Garage.

Just documenting chasers trying to make money off of chasing.

I did mention that the last 2 years of tornado chasing sucked and that OK had in the Monster Garage way of saying

ZIP ZERO NADDA tornadoes in the month of May in 2005.