Day One Is Done

My whole day was spent fretting; worrying what would go wrong. My mother called it “eating your kishkas out.” The sky fell in around 4:00 PM EDT. The maps and charts for my longer weather hits were failing.

Bill Koczocik shot this in the Channel 8 studio during the 5:00 PM newscast.

My first day back on WTNH from my home studio was not without its hiccups. My hope is it was cleaner going home than my perception.

To explain my day, I first have to explain what’s going on.

I’m back on News 8 WTNH for a little summer weather. I’ll be hanging around on TV for the next seven weeks.

All of this is coming from my studio in California via the Internet. It’s pretty amazing stuff.

Unfortunately, today it failed us briefly, but noticeably. The video froze!

Phil Zocco (who was in Master Control my first day at Channel 8 in 1984) tweaked the recipe that trades lag for dependability. We’re hopeful we’ve fixed the problem or at least moved in the right direction.

My whole day was spent fretting; worrying what would go wrong. My mother called it “eating your kishkas out.”

The sky fell in around 4:00 PM EDT. The maps and charts for my longer weather hits were failing. Macro programs that worked perfectly last night didn’t today! It had to be something I’d done, but what?

Sam Kantrow and I shared the 5:00 o’clock weather was I worked the problem. He took the long hits, I took the short ones.

By the top of the six I’d come up with a solution. I spoke to the boss on the phone and assured him we’d be OK. And, we were.

There were a few other tiny problems you probably wouldn’t notice. An improperly set default skewed the colors on all my maps. Fixed.

I’m going to Home Depot to buy sandbags to keep me from moving all the way back to the wall. That should eliminate a few chroma key shadow problems.

It’s Day One. If bad stuff’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen today.

Meanwhile, I have more macros to write.

49 thoughts on “Day One Is Done”

  1. It was “most excellent” to have you back “live” and to hear those words once again….”don’t go to sleep yet!”
    Welcome back Geoff!

  2. Geoff, I am so happy to see you….I watched all of last night’s appearances. You look good and they were little problems, but looks like you have fixed them. You persevered……the same way you remained with me, in line three years ago after my mom passed. See you tonight.

  3. I as so happy to see you on air I honestly missed any problems. So nice seeing you back on the air here in CT and hope that your 7 weeks can be extended well into the future!

  4. Geoff:
    You were great! It’s so great watching you do what you do best; entertain and inform.
    You keep doing that and we’ll keep watching.
    Great job. Keep up the good work.
    Ray

  5. I didn’t notice any problems with the chroma key so it can’t have been too serious. Good to see you bak, just sorryu I’ll be in Virginia for a weekl…

  6. Well, I thought it was great! I only noticed one little glitch when it froze up for a second or two, then came right back. You’re looking good, and it’s great to have you back with the same old enthusiasm
    and vigor! I don’t get to stay up to eleven o’clock any more; could you say “don’t go to sleep yet” on the earlier newscast? lol Keep it up! Bev J

  7. Well, I thought it was great! I only noticed one little glitch when it froze up for a second or two, then came right back. You’re looking good, and it’s great to have you back with the same old enthusiasm and vigor! I don’t get to stay up to eleven o’clock any more; could you say “don’t go to sleep yet” on the earlier newscast? lol Keep it up!

  8. I only noticed one little glitch when it froze up for a second or two, then came right back. You’re looking good, and it’s great to have you back with the same old enthusiasm and vigor! I don’t get to stay up to eleven o’clock any more; could you say “don’t go to sleep yet” on the earlier newscast? lol Keep it up!

  9. So nice to have you back, Geoff! I only noticed one little glitch when it froze up for a second or two, then came right back. You’re looking good, and it’s great to see you again with the same old enthusiasm and vigor! I don’t get to stay up to eleven o’clock any more; could you say “don’t go to sleep yet” on the earlier newscast? lol Keep it up!

  10. It was a special day seeing you on channel 8 again….all in all with all the critical things that you saw…believe me…it didn’t matter…all is well…congrats!!

  11. Geoff, it great seeing you again regardless of the technical issues. Even a confirmed TV geek, it was that evident and glitches are part of the deal when the new meets the old. Not to worry!!
    Ch 8 had to have had more viewers and your natural goodness came through perfectly!!Great to see you again. Your were outstanding and you looked terrific!!

  12. It was great to see you with or without problems. Ch 8 was never the same without you. So when I turn on the news and there you were. I was not aware you where at your home in Cal. I thought you were visiting Conn. It truly was great to see you and I hope this works for you and Ch 8. I have followed your health problems and have read what you have been through. You are amazing. Keep up the fight. I look forward to seeing you do our weather.

  13. It was WONDERFUL seeing you do our weather last night!
    See? You CAN go home again!

    You look a little thin, but not in a bad way. One could never imagine all you have been through!

    I, too, miss hearing you say, “Don’t go to sleep yet. There’s more [Geoff Fox] to come!”

  14. Hi Geoff:
    You did a great job. More important, you look great. Keep
    up the good work. Love Dolores

  15. Moments after your first segment at 5, I emailed WTNH with my thanks that this is happening. After pushing Send, I regretted not having requested a Doppler appearance, but it seems that you had anticipated that wish! It’s just the best thing ever having you back. One more reason for celebration today — Happy 4th!

  16. Geoff it was great! I noticed the couple second freeze but didn’t think anything of it because Comcast does that to me all the time! lol If it weren’t for the split screen I would have thought you were in the studio! Look forward to seeing your forecasts for the next 7 weeks!

  17. It was great Geoff, I watched the whole thing except for the 5 O’Clock. I did not know you were going to be there. Then I stayed on the news until it was over. Great job, there was one spot where you froze for a second. Oh and I saw you running off set when you were done giving the weather. That was kind of funny! Take care and welcome back!

  18. It was wonderful seeing your familiar face and hearing your pleasing voice last night…Finally could relax and go to sleep after listening to that great old phrase of yours….
    You’re looking so great, a sight for sore eyes…..WELCOME BACK…SO NICE TO HAVE YOU back where you belong…..you are my inspiration..

  19. It was all good and I can only imagine how many people who didn’t know you’d be on were pleasantly surprised. Carry on : )

  20. Geoff — It was like a dream . . . but no, it was really you on Channel 8. Like the old days. Sorry to learn of your cancer challenge. If you can go through the chemo and all the you-know-what of a few years ago, you will find the first day glitches will be the subject of relaxed laughter in a few more days. Welcome back . . . and continued health and well-being.

  21. You are a genius! So delighted to “see” you last night and so much fun to hear your comments. May this go on for as long as you’re happy doing it. CT is overjoyed to see you!
    And by the way you look good!

    Blessings on this venture and beyond with you and your family!

    <3

  22. SO good to watch you weather coverage yesterday! My wife and I are decades-long loyal viewers of WTNH news and weather. We were incredibly disappointed when you left and really, really tried watching the other Connecticut stations in protest. But WTNH has new owners, and you’re back! With today’s technology and the stations generally having degreed meteorologists doing the forecasting, we’re bound to get an accurate short-term forecast from any of the TV stations. However, it’s your personal touch that makes the delivery of the forecast more interesting, understandable and enjoyable (for want of a better word). May you stay healthy and cancer-free.

  23. It was as if someone turned back time! So comforting to see you in our kitchen again!❤️❤️❤️

  24. Hi Jeff!
    Welcome back to WTNH! With all that you have been through and all the country has been through in the past year, it was so reassuring to see your smiling face back in my home!

    I noticed that you introduced a new little dog – Doplar…..Where is cute little Ivy who you used to have back in Ct.?

    Smiles on a Sunny 4th,
    Judy

  25. Thanks for the shout-out, Fox. We’ll take care of you. Just another day in Paradise at The Great 8 and The X.

  26. Watched all of your appearances last night…so awesome to have you back at Channel 8! With all that you have been through with your health issues, I am amazed that you have continued to work as a weatherman for Nebraska through it all, and now a second job here in CT. On top of that…you haven’t aged!!! You always manage to inform, entertain, educate…with lots of personality…most weather people just spit out the forecast, talking so fast, when they are through, I say to myself. “Huh, what did they just say!?” There are very few who come close to you…Gil Simmons, Brad Field, Matt Scott I enjoy…but you are the “Man”…hope your gig becomes permanent! I’ll be watching!

  27. Comcast subscribers in Danbury don’t get channel 8 anymore on our TV. How can we access this?Welcome home Geoff!

  28. Geoff: We are very happy to see you again on Ch.8 . We hope you will continue on after the seven weeks. You are by far our favorite Weather Man.

  29. GEOFF
    SOOOOOOO GREAT TO SEE YOU ON NEWS 8 !!!! YOU LOOK FABULOUS ! I WATCHED YOU HERE IN CT FOR ALL THE YEARS YOU WERE ON NEWS 8 – SAW YOU BRING IVY ON THE SET WAY BACK IN THE DAY……..EVEN FOLLOWED YOU WHEN YOU WERE BRIEFLY
    “FOX ON FOX’……THEN I FOLLOWED YOUR ENTIRE MOVE TO IRVINE, CA. I HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR CANCER ORDEAL AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT I COULD POST COMMENTS, ETC. I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE CANCER FREE….. YOU HAVE BEEN TO HELL AND BACK. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR DEVOTED WIFE…..I WILL BE WATCHING YOU ON NEWS 8 FOR THE 9 WEEKS YOU SAID YOU WOULD BE ON…..I KNOW YOU ARE BROADCASTING FROM YOUR STUDIO IN CA…..BUT IT SURE LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE IN NEWS 8 STUDIO….BRILLIANT !!!!!!
    PDB- EAST LYME CT

  30. So great to see your weather forecast again. I am also in an area that is no longer covered by Comcast (Danbury)…but I was able to watch on my laptop and will continue to watch you that way. The other stations just don’t do weather for the Danbury area as accurately as you do. I miss WTNH and the guys there…glad you are there to help for the summer. I wish it were longer.
    Also hoping your recovery continues to go well …You’ve been through a lot and you’ve managed to keep a positive outlook. That is quite an inspiration to others.

  31. It was so nice to see Geoff on the Ct news channel 8 ! I’ve watched you since you began! My Mom who passed away in 1996 loved you and Dr Mel! I especially liked your tracking Santa on Christmass eve I think you were the only one doing it at that time! So glad you’re doing well cancer stinks it took my husband Michael Feb 2015 . Thank you Geoff for doing this broadcast you are so enthusiastic and a joy to watch ! Stay well I’ve always loved seeing you!❤️ Dorothy

  32. Dear Geoff,
    You have been in my prayers and will continue to be as you move forward in your health and your career. It’s been great to see you back and to enjoy your enthusiasm!

  33. So awesome 2 see you back on our local station. Can you address how?
    Lol, my dad thought he was in a time warp last night seeing you on channel 8. Awesome as ever!

  34. Going to email , WTNH right now.
    The weather is better in ct. already with Geoff back!.
    You looked great and oh how I’ve missed your enthusiasm,
    Please stick around and be well!
    Jim M, BRANFORD, ct.

  35. Geoff My husband and I are so glad to see your smiling face on Channel 8 news. I sure hope it can become permanent. You don’t know how much CT missed you. Welcome home Geoff. Glad to see you looking so good. You look exactly the same as you did in 1984. For someone that has been through so much you really bounced right back. I followed you through your hospital stay and I want you to know you were in my prayers and still are.

    Judy East Haven CT.

  36. I was very surprised and very happy to see you forecasting the weather last night. You have been sorely missed. Now I once again am interested in the weather. I have been checking the weather on my phone, but for the next few weeks I will be waiting to see and hear “Don’t go to sleep yet”. You are looking and sounding great!

  37. You looked breat tonight. I would’ve sworn you were in Connecticut. Great job on the weather. Just like ol’ times. How did you ever convince them to take you on again even for a temp gig? For all you’ve been through you sure have plenty of energy. What’s your secret?

Leave a Reply to Barbara Landman Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *