Focus : Sunshine and Clouds : THE VIEWERS SAY WHAT THEY FEEL ABOUT WEATHERCASTERS

They say everybody talks about the weather. We say everybody talks about weathercasters.

A few weeks ago TV Times asked for letters about your most- and least-favorite weather men and women. The opinions were all over the satellite map, with no clear consensus of the top or the bottom.

Well, except for KTLA’s Mark Kriski. He mentioned to his “Morning News” viewers that he wasn’t included in the original article. The pump was primed: Kriski received the most letters.

Here is a sampling of the responses, starting with a Kriski letter that sums up those from his fans:

*

My favorite local weathercaster wasn’t even mentioned in your article.

He is funnier than Fritz Coleman, cuter than Dallas Raines, crazier than Christopher Nance and much younger than Dr. George.

He is, of course, Mark Kriski, the King of of weather. The best weatherman on the best local newscast.

Pennie Bond, Saugus

*

KABC’s Dallas Raines, by far, is the best. Always cheerful, with a hopeful attitude, but he doesn’t hesitate to state it if he has been wrong.

W. Dean Smith, Los Angeles

*

What about KCAL’s Carl Bell? Is he married? I think he’s a “fox”! (Ooops, wrong network.)

Nancie Boykiss, West Los Angeles

*

KCAL’s Dianne Barone blows all the others away.

Donald Sanserino, Santa Fe Springs

*

Dianne Barone is better than ice cream.

Donna Sanserino, Santa Fe Springs

*

Being female has nothing to do with it, Dianne Barone is the greatest.

Vilma Sanserino, Santa Fe Springs

*

Even though nine months out of the year weathercasters in the Southland are as necessary as water-soluble ship anchors, I do have my strong favorite and non-favorite.

Top marks go to KCAL’s Carl Bell for his low-key humor and viewer-friendly forecasts. Bottom on the scale is Mark “Kringe”ski on the KTLA “Morning News.” It’s a challenge trying to digest my Cap’n Crunch while watching him.

David Dickstein, Los Angeles

*

I watch the weather to find out the next day’s forecast and perhaps the two- to five-day forecast. That’s it!

I don’t want to see animated cloud formations or listen to the feeble attempts at humor. “A&E; at the Improv” is available for that.

Of the weather people I’ve watched, I rank them as flows:

1. Maclovio Perez (KCBS)

2. Christopher Nance (KNBC)

3. George Fischbeck (KABC)

4. Dallas Raines (KABC)

...

1000. Willard Scott (“Today”)

1001. Fritz Coleman (KNBC)

1002. Al Roker (“CBS Morning News”)

Ronald E. Oest, Lancaster

*

My most favorite weather person is “none of the above.”

My least favorite weather person is “all of the above.”

Tedd L. Peterson, Irvine

DUELING POEMS

“Opus Markus”

We questioned Raines’ early storm warning

so we turned on Channel 5 in the morning

We watched Mark Kriski labor

We wish he was our neighbor

So now our news is never boring

Our forecasts were always the pits

That’s ‘cause we used to watch Fritz

Now Mark’s ratings we’re countin’

We don’t watch Johnny Mountain

And Hal’s seat should be where Mark sits

Now we will never stray

We watch Channel 5 every day

Our vote’s with Mark Kriski

he’s always so frisky

We believe whatever he may say

Carolyn Hovey, Fullerton

*

We just love KCAL’s Dianne Barone. We watch her at the fire station all the time and we are very dedicated watchers from noon to 1.

Weather there is sun out or not,

Dianne is still hot.

Even with snow on the street,

Dianne you can’t beat.

Clouds may be gray,

but away from Dianne we can’t stay.

Rain or shine,

Dianne is just fine.

Weather at noon

can’t come on too soon.

Even during a storm,

Dianne is so warm.

She explains with zest,

Dianne is just the best.

Surf small or big,

Dianne we all dig.

Since Dianne’s been on 9,

We watch all the time!!

Manhattan Beach Fire Deptartment, B shift