“America’s weatherman” Willard Scott will retire from “The Today Show” on December 15, 2015. (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Today Show will be saying goodbye to one of its iconic cast members tomorrow morning.
After 35 years of delivering the nation’s weather and wishing centennials “Happy Birthday” (courtesy of Smuckers), Willard Scott’s final broadcast will be on December 15, 2015. Mr. Scott’s departure marks the end of a chapter in the long-running NBC morning show’s history. Mr. Scott joined then Today anchors Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley at the desk in 1980. Since his first appearance, the iconic weatherman turned a pretty much boring subject into one of the most recognizable and necessary segments on a news show.
Mr. Scott’s segments transported the Today audience around the world from Hawaii and Italy to Epcot and Washington DC. He even shared a kiss with former First Lady Barbara Bush and was invited to run with then President Bill Clinton, when the iconic politician’s jog intersected with one of Mr. Scott’s segments. Numerous television personalities such as Sam Champion, Ginger Zee, Janice Huff and his top protégé Al Roker have to thank Willard Scott for bringing the weather to the forefront of broadcast news.
So on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to say: “Thank you, Mr. Scott! For all of the laughs, excitement, birthday wishes and weather reports that put smiles on our faces.”
Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Scott. You will be missed!
