Ask the Memphian: Why do TV stations interrupt shows like the Oscars for weather coverage?
“If there’s a tornado warning in any one of the counties in the viewing area,” said Retired meteorologist Jim Jaggers, “then we would cut in and stay on the air until that tornado warning either was expired or canceled.” (The Daily Memphian file)
To honor two of their favorite movies vying for Oscars at the recent awards ceremony, Chris McCoy and his wife Laura Jean Hocking had planned a dinner of fried chicken (served at the juke joint in “Sinners”) and beer (consumed in “One Battle After Another”) as they watched the show in their Midtown home.
But barely a half-hour into the 99th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, the local ABC affiliate preempted the ceremony for breathless coverage of severe weather, in this case a tornado watch for the Memphis viewing area.
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tornadoes Academy Awards severe weather Dave Brown Jim Jaggers TV weather Ask the Memphian Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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