Those of you who have lived with me since my freshman year of college understand how much I love the weather, and in particular The Weather Channel. I love it so much, in fact, that one roommate commented upon how she always knew who had watched the tv last by which station it was left on. I admit my adoration is a bit extreme, but since I have several friends who are also weather fanatics, I don’t feel so bad. 

For me, it’s not just about checking the forecast for my area, though I do that. It’s an all-encompassing love for storms, fronts, heat indexes, and all things weather related. However, I appreciate the fact that not all people are so interested pressure gradients and hurricane predictions. Most people stop by the channel to get their local on the eights and then move on. The only time they watch TWC extensively is when a severe storm system is headed through their area. Consequently, I understand the channel’s decision to broaden its programming, adding Friday night movies and even a morning program that is similar to The Today Show or a morning radio broadcast. 

Unfortunately, for me, I think this show, Wake Up With Al, sometimes gets a little too hokey. There has been more than one occasion in the few months since it debuted when my husband and I looked at each other in confusion. “Did these weather forecasters just say what I think they said?” Now, I’m all for humor and even silliness—Lord knows, I’m a bit of a screwball—but there comes a point when it goes too far, especially on a show that is essentially a news broadcast. The Daily Show, none withstanding, most television shows that provide current events and weather are at their heart serious-minded. So, does Wake Up With Al really need to have poll voting for who’s the hunkiest between Elmo, Mike Bettes (a TWC meteorologist) and Vladimir Putin? Or does a meteorologist really need to tell me about her underwear? (TMI.) 

Do you watch The Weather Channel? Do you enjoy the wackiness on Wake Up With Al, or do you think it goes a little too far?