NBC fires Dave Schwartz from The Weather Channel

[Ed Mahmoud]

Among the meteorologists who was let go was Dave Schwartz, a Weather Channel veteran and a viewer staple due to his lively on camera presentations. USA Today reported that meteorologists Cheryl Lemke and Eboni Deon were also let go.

[JonathanBelles]

wow! Dave was a little on the off side, but certainly not fireable. Cheryl and Eboni is cutting two great mets. What is NBC thinking?

[Ed Mahmoud]

Among the meteorologists who was let go was Dave Schwartz, a Weather Channel veteran and a viewer staple due to his lively on camera presentations. USA Today reported that meteorologists Cheryl Lemke and Eboni Deon were also let go.

I suppose the irony of laying off most of TWC's global warming as proven fact programming staff during NBC's 'Green Week' eluded the brass at NBC.


Whether one believes in AGW or not, they could have waited a week...

[Ed Mahmoud]

Schwartz seems to know his weather pretty well, and he has personality. Maybe there is a vacancy at a station in Philadelphia, if not, I'm sure he'll find another cable home.


I don't understand cutting Deion if they are shifting focus to younger and better looking OCMs. But she was young and good looking.

[Extremeweatherguy]

Wow. Very surprising.

[somethingfunny]

What the heck? Dave Schwartz was my favorite OCM!

Oh well. The Weather Channel hasn't been worth watching in years. They might as well rename it The Outdoors Channel For Those Who Dont Hunt Or Fish. It's just a lifestyles network now. And the environmental programming is ridiculous. How is a ten minute long PSA for recycling related to global warming?

Cheryl Lemke and Dave were probably let go because they still believes in the purpose and profitability of the OLD Weather Channel format.....I never saw much of Eboni Deon- she was hired after I already stopped being a TWC fan- but I'd assume it was the same for her.

TWC has fallen so far.... CNN, Fox, and MSNBC....even my local affiliates....have better coverage during hurricane season, it seems. And they're all terrible. I'd love to see one of the big three news networks hire Dave Schwartz and give him a real outlet for his knowledge, communication, and teaching skills. Well, maybe not MSNBC. I wonder whose heads will roll next....how many are left that still contain meteorology degrees?


OT: Does this belong in USA Weather?

[somethingfunny]

Since they'll be taking these down soon....

http://www.weather.com/aboutus/television/ocms/schwartz.html

Dave Schwartz
On-Camera Meteorologist



A lifelong weather buff, Dave loves tracking and discussing nor'easters, hurricanes, and other dramatic weather. Naturally, the Blizzard of '93 tops out as his favorite weather event.

A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dave attended Arizona State University and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He first appeared on-air at The Weather Channel in June 1991.

Before coming to The Weather Channel, Dave worked for twelve years in the mental health/ mental retardation field. He joined The Weather Channel in 1985, working both in the Forecast Center and as a radio broadcaster, before honing his camera work through The Weather Channel's Apprentice program.

"Because I'm an animal affected by such things," Dave traces his interest in weather to watching the sky and the tornado from the wonderful movie, "The Wizard of Oz."

Beside old movies and cloud watching, Dave has a variety of interests, including physical fitness, dancing, singing, and art.

http://www.weather.com/aboutus/television/ocms/lemke.html

Cheryl Lemke
On-Camera Meteorologist



A Midwest native, Cheryl graduated from Iowa State University Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Meteorology and a double minor in Mathematics and Psychology.

She holds both the American Meteorological Society's Seal of Approval and the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval for her on-air skills.

When not on the air, Cheryl spends her spare time bicycling, doing aerobics, or oil painting.

http://www.weather.com/aboutus/television/ocms/dion.html

Eboni Deon
On-Camera Meteorologist



Eboni Deon joined The Weather Channel in June, 2001 as a Radio Broadcast Meteorologist. Deon became a Broadband On-Camera Meteorologist in 2003 and an On-Camera Meteorologist in January, 2005. She#'s presently seen on Weekend Outlook 5am-7am ET.

Deon received her B.S. in Meteorology from Jackson State University in 1998 and her M.S. in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2002.

Eboni, was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. Her hobbies include traveling, dancing, and spending time with family and friends and her two dogs Bradley and Mister.

Good luck in all your future endeavours.

[Ed Mahmoud]

Hmm, Deion and Lemke are both degreed mets, Schwartz, like some of the other early 'OCM's like Jeanetta Jones, doesn't seem to be one.


But it sounds like he has a good backup plan with his prior experience in MHMR.

[Sanibel]

I liked the Schwartzenhiemer. You could never tell if he was serious or not. Even though he was serious you were not sure if he was trying to be funny. He was parked on late night for a long time. Saw Schwartz on TWC just last night.

[HURAKAN]

Schwartz was one of the best in TWC. He was always jovial and I really liked the way he informed the weather. Still, I only watch TWC during hurricane coverages.

[psyclone]

Schwartz's departure is really sad. He had a weather geek like personality reminiscent of original weather channel anchor andre bernier who went on to a successful career in his native cleveland after his weather channel days. I'm sure similar success awaits dave, unfortunately, most of us won't get to enjoy it. As for the "green" staff... good riddance in my view.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

I just saw Dave Schwartz on TWC one hour ago...

[Category 5]

TWC is dead to me right now.

[Ed Mahmoud]

I just saw Dave Schwartz on TWC one hour ago...

I guess the layoff hasn't gone into effect yet.

I guess you don't want to burn any TV job bridges, but I'd be tempted to so rag on NBC if I were him...

[HurricaneBill]

I can't believe they got rid of Cheryl Lemke. She's been there a long time.

2 OCMs remain from when TWC started in 1982: Mark Mancuso and Bill Keneely.

[Calasanjy]

Wow, that's a surprise - I can't see any logic behind dismissing two long-run meteorologists despite what format conflicts they may have with the programmer.

And since when did NBC run the Weather Channel, anyway? I wasn't aware they had bought it.

[JonathanBelles]

Cheryl Lemke is on right now.

[Shockwave]

I've heard that the layoffs won't be put into effect til November 30th. I can't understand why they let these 3 go. Almost everyone I've talked to say that they liked all 3 of these OCM and am sad to see them go. This just shows you that the economy isn't just affecting the general public.

[Frank2]

Per Wikipedia:

"As of November 20, 2008, The Weather Channel had begun laying off some of its staff. Included in the layoffs are OCM's Dave Schwartz, Cheryl Lemke, and Eboni Dion. In addition, former on air personality Melissa Tuttle was relieved of her duties, as was most of the marketing department, environmental unit, and the Road Crew (including Jeff Mielcarz). The layoffs are to take effect on November 30, 2008."

So, perhaps we'll get the chance to see Dave, Cheryl and Eboni one last time this weekend...

While I'm sorry for Eboni, she's still young, compared with Dave and Cheryl who are my age.

I know how it feels to feel like you are being sent out to pasture - especially if this is being done to you by people who are much younger than yourself...

Frank

[Gary335]

I've found out that the layoffs at TWC are to take effect tomorrow.

The information can be found here:

http://twctoday.com/forums/index.php/topic,1674.msg74627.html#new