The Media Effect and Upcoming Seasons

[Jeff Miller]

We all know what happened with the movie Twister - called the "Twister effect" - an outpouring of novice chasers, non-chasers, Joe publics and the genuine new chaser - which has caused an explosion of chaser traffic in the country since 1997.

This year seems to be the year of reality chase shows. We have the Twister Sisters and Outlaw Chasers out there on cable land. In fact, I walked onto work today and I kid you not, regular Joe Publics were commenting on "Outlaw Chasers" (they watched it) and remarked on the great tornadoes on the show!

The question is - will there be another "Chaser Explosion" due to these new reality shows this season - and specifically, will the "Outlaw Chasers" show spawn a new breed of "Outlaw Chasers" with the "they did it the outlaw way, so can we" attitude? And does this concern you if you believe this is so?

[JIM SELLARS]

It might cause a "bump" upward this next season....I really don't think it will be caused by just the TV specials...The continued coverage of local severe storms on news programs and high profile events like Tulia, Greensburg and Manitoba this year may well cause a "bump" too...The proliferation of tour groups, high profile chasers and their entourages and media chasers will clutter the roads more IMHO... several years ago I witnessed what I thought was a "SHRINERS PARADE"....Actually it was a mile and a half long parade of chasers...Flashing lights...Blind passing...Vans full of people...whooping and hollering...the only thing missing were "GO CARTS and CLOWNS"....Sadly that was the last day I ever actively chased...This was 5-6 years after "TWISTER" so the "TWISTER EFFECT" should have been long over...

[Darrin Rasberry]

With whatever attitude new chasers take - and yes, I am one of them - they will need to be informed that they should NOT do what I did and attempt to chase a storm without sufficient knowledge. Even though I'd been studying nonstop for a few weeks in June, my happily running out to my car during a tornado warning for my county was not a good idea. Even though I had enough sense back then to wait for the little graphic on my computer to go far enough, the one chaser and two state police cars trailing after that storm were chance, and who knows? I might've found myself alone too close to an EF-5 instead of a wall cloud that fell apart, and then splat.

Not something I'd recommend. To anyone.

As for Twister, I've never seen it. As for the Outlaws, I heard of them for the first time when Reed and Joel put the notice up on their website. As for Reed and Joel themselves, I only came to know them when I put the word "tornado" into the Youtube search engine and found they had the biggest stack. But in all fairness, I've only seen their stuff in proportion to how much is on Youtube - I've seen every tornado on there that I can find, most at least twice-over, and I know tons of other respected names.

But in the beginning of this desire, none of THOSE big names even mattered. It was Greensburg and Florida that hit me, because the devastation reminded me so much of my hometown when I was but a wee lad in Wichita Falls, 1979. I've always had the dream inside of me to "chase." I'm both fascinated with the power of these storms and, on and off since before I could even drive, very much interested in the prospect of preventing as much as I can in another town what happened in mine. We lost nothing more than our front window, but a satellite took out the other side of my small street, and even seriously damaged houses close enough for even Cleo Lemon to throw a football at.

My family lost friends and people they knew. They had many more injured. My grandmother's house was totally destroyed. My babysitter's house was totally destroyed. Common friends between all of our families were killed or wounded. The scar wasn't even a scar for a long time in Wichita falls - it was an open sore, no matter how much we tried to bandage it.

For me, it was something long before Twister - a movie I've never disgraced my town by seeing (I've only seen one silly clip on Youtube while tornado video hunting, where Helen Hunt and some guy were trapped in a shed and a big tornado created this huge, supposedly moving moment where they had to hang on dramatically to stuff; I laughed). It was a tenth anniversary on Channel Six News, and a tenth anniversary packet I obsessed over through my teenage years.

It's always been in me, but for a long time - blocking the brief temptation to do it after OKC in 99 - I believed I was not "savvy" enough to cover storms. Mislead by the popular conception that meteorologists were always people who stood in front of a camera like Skip McBride, I gave up my long-term dream to become one because I had low self-confidence and thought nobody would listen to me, so I took my penchant for math away from the dream of meteorology and toward my current career: just plain old pure mathematics.

I've long since recovered my proto-emo sense of self from high school, but I knew there was still a major issue with the idea of the secondary choice I have now to storm chase: maturity. Namely, until recently, I dismissed the idea because I knew I was doing no more than browsing some old stories - I was not mature enough to dedicate myself to studying the topic sufficiently to not put my life (and the lives of anyone else with me) at risk.

It was when I graduated with my Masters and moved here to Ames that I recognized I'd finally grown up in an academic sense. Like I said in a previous post today, I was wide awake in the middle of the night when the tornadoes in Florida happened in early February of last year - and I thought "now, if I was in Florida and a chaser, I could have possibly prevented many of those deaths." But I knew it would take some serious study, so I sat on it until Greensburg put me over the edge with its sheer similarity to Terrible Tuesday, from the twister on down to the destruction and inevitable scars that community will face, just like Wichita Falls has faced for nearly thirty years.

I awakened. I'm on a mission. When I started reading articles, I tried to avoid temptation to delve into the lore and the mechanics, a "mistake" I even committed today when I lost myself for about twenty minutes on a paper posted here that I can't find anymore for some reason, because of my interest in vector fields and numerical modeling. But I continued to jump past "good video history" and "tornado history" and all of that as much as I could, and focused instead on the videos themselves and the articles themselves.

Before I happened on this board today through a recommendation from a friend of Reed Timmer, I couldn't locate a storm community, but until recently I didn't search hard, because I knew I hadn't yet done enough work to start reasonable communication with experts. I'm nowhere near "expert" by any sort of means, but I think it's necessary to educate oneself before anything, to first check dedication and then to know what questions are relevant to your needs and what questions aren't.

Will I continue to be fascinated by "lore" and "history" of the chaser community? Yes. I've watched those favorite videos I listed earlier many times, and the bigger percentage was for aesthetics rather than study. And with regards to study, will I continue to be interested in mathematical and statistical models irrelevant to both basic storm chasing knowledge and my own area of mathematical research? Yes. It's in my blood. But I know now that I have control enough to filter through my emotions and learn well what I need to learn come March to be safe.

While my own faults are certainly there, this is something that, in general, must be pushed to newbies such as myself: MOAR EDUCATION. I'm a teacher by trade, so that and my newly gained discipline to stick by my learning have helped.

For some who are new, who are out there looking for a thrill as an end in itself and not a fantastic by-product of their real goals (if any), the idea of education-or-else must be highlighted. Having a few guys and gals smarter than I in the Iowa area could help fill in a gap I've perceived as pretty wide between here and Kansas, Oklahoma, or my own home area in North Texas.

[Jeff Miller]

You know, I didn't even enter the high profile tornadic events into the equation....that just heightens the question. I know that in the past few years chasing has risen seemingly exponentially. But I don't think I've seen this level of saturation in some time.

[Dave Gallaher]

Welcome aboard, and good luck, Darrin.

As one who has been able to claim the inexpert title for a couple decades now, I can appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to study. ST is a bountiful place to do so; even things not found here are usually a click away after some knowlegable poster directs you to it.

However, I think there is an equal (or superior) need for field work. Your location will guarantee you some opportunities to go out and ambush some storms. From this you'll get the expeience you need to plot and track them from your own forecasts (this is something in which I am woefully lacking). May all your efforts be rewarded.

As for the media effect--yes, I am certain we will see copycat chasers going out in less-than-prepared fashion. The problem with the videos is that it always looks more exciting than dangerous. I wish that they all could tune into the experience that Amos and Eric had at Tulia this year.

Let us all hope that none of them experience or cause damage to themselves and others.

[Darrin Rasberry]

Another factor to consider is that, for a well-prepared newb (like I hope to be), the tools make chasing today much safer than even ten years ago. Now, I can bring my laptop with me, keep it nice and fresh with a car charger, and keep up to date as much as possible with storm movements via wireless internet. As the information age continues to heat up (unless we all decide to blow ourselves up), the reliability of wireless and availability of tools is going to do nothing but increase, and with the increased (but never assured) safety they grant, people who would otherwise have wanted to do this but been too afraid of the uncertainty might deem the risk now much more manageable and come out of their shells.

As for the traffic issue, it's a problem. I don't think they can make laws against it right now, but I'm sure at some point there's gonna be tougher requirements and possibly even a license required to chase if some big, media-focused tragedy occurs (such as that proverbial car full of sixteen-year-olds pumped from videos and out for a thrill getting killed by a tornado).

Getting the license would require much harder work than the training given today. Perhaps there would even be a requirement of what one must bring along as far as technology (i.e. perhaps internet software must be present, some kind of future (present?) storm-trackable GPS unit, etc.). The big problem with all of it is of course enforcement, since even though state patrol, local police, and sheriffs are always there with the chasers, they will almost invariably have more immediate concerns than ticketing unlicensed thrill-seekers.

[Terry Tyler]

im sure like jim said, it will cause a little bump...

but how i see it is...the media attention and programs help to enhance the public fascination with severe storms...the number of severe weather enthusiasts and chasers you can bet will be going up every year...

but, there are a few who are not effected by the media...

Twister - a movie I've never disgraced my town by seeing

[Dan Robinson]

The other difference between now and when Twister came out is that gas prices have tripled since then. The fuel cost of the average chase has gone up 300%. At those prices, only the most wealthy or most dedicated are going to be able to do it and keep doing it, which should keep the influx, if any, in check.

[Karen Politte]

I think the effect that documentaries/reality teevee shows will have on chasing's popularity will be moot, because chasing is already mainstream and is already a big-game sport for those who refer to things as such. I suspect that the affect that "Twister" has on chasing was far more marked because a) it came at a time when technology was ready and set to explode the map-chaser's world, and b) it could be seen as bringing about the end of old-fashioned chasing and the beginning of new, tech-chasing. Twister went a long way in making the world of the chase accessible to all.

Now that chasing really IS accessible to all, I doubt that any television show will have much of an effect in this regard and I also think that we should all stop worrying about it. The notion that Mr. Pig Farmer from the Ozarks has just as much right as Mr. Long-Term Veteran Chaser to go out and pursue a storm is the fact of the matter, and will be until if and when chasing is regulated - and seeing as such regulation would likely be unenforceable (not to say they wouldn't give it a damn good try), that will probably never happen.

You cannot require people to obtain a LICENSE to go for a drive in the Prairies. That is stupidity and it will never happen. Far more likely is that the metastasizing of chasing over the previous and next decade or so will far sooner turn us off from participating in the "tornado rat race" every weekend, and ergo we will have a problem solved in an indirect way. Until that day - it's a free-for-all, whether we preach the virtues of ethics or training or responsibility......or not.

KL

[Jay McCoy]

Dan is right. Besides the cost of gas. The inevitable busts and long miles will filter out the "wanna-bes" from people who are trully interested and willing to put in the time and effort like it always does. Every few years there are a series of tornado shows like back in 2000-2003. We saw numbers increase for a bit but most gave up after a year. If they stay then they earned it by enduring all those busts and long miles.

So ya this year we may see numbers increase but it will drop back down next year as they give up and move on to the next extreme vacation

[Shane Adams]

The fuel cost of the average chase has gone up 300%. At those prices, only the most wealthy or most dedicated are going to be able to do it

LOL, exactly. As I said a few years ago, chasing has become golf. Nothing but rich white guys out there, and me :D

[Heidi Schilling]

I don't know much about the increase in chasers due to these shows, as a newbie myself. But what I do know is because of these shows there's definitely an increase in people who accuse us of only doing it because of these shows and its a stereotype that's almost impossible to break.

My reasons have nothing to do with these shows but people who claim that's why I'm doing it don't want to take the time to find out that my desire to do it started when I was in middle school and was told to pick an elective, I couldn't stand almost any that they offered but I liked storms so I went for atmospheric science.

Had I started chasing when I got out of high school, I would have heard the "you're doing it because you watched Twister too much" and now I hear it because of the shows.

If I had to guess, I think you actually end up with more people that won't take you seriously, than you do with new chasers. Especially with the increase in fuel costs...the one thing I know I'm definitely not looking forward to.

[Bill Hark]

There may be a slight bump but I think the real trend will be a very slow and steady increase. There will always be new people on the roads while others will cut back based on cost, family or job obligations or their own health. Most new folks will tire after a couple of years but a few will become dedicated chasers. I suspect those shows will just increase the interest in those already predisposed to chasing. I do think there will be a increase in Storm Chase tour participants.

As mentioned in previous posts, Twister brought chasing to the attention of the masses. Now, most people have heard of chasing already and info can be easily found on the internet including from Stormtrack and all our chaser websites. One or two new documentaries is not going to change anything. I do wonder about some of the recent big events. There may be some future researchers and/or chasers among the children and young adults who were affected in Greensburg, Enterprise and similar places. A number of prominent chasers/researchers will relate a major tornadic event in their childhood that lead to their interest.

My main worry is that there will be an increase in inexperienced locals who see the warnings, dash out in their vehicles to look for the 'nader so that can send in their i-report or weather warrior vehicle. Some chasers may have started that way so I guess I can't put down all locals out to see the tornado. Hopefully, there won't be injuries. Anyway, nothing I can do about it.

Bill Hark

[Shane Adams]

I imagine the internet, and StormTrack itself, are as much to "blame" as anything, for attracting new chase interests. I've always loathed the "Twister wannabe" terminology, because it seems to insinuate that no one had an interest in chasing or storms before seeing that movie. Same goes for any show or movie that coincides with an influx of new blood.

Many of the "VORTEX" generation chasers were inspired by the infamous NOVA special in 1985. While the scientific value of this program VS Twister cannot be debated, it's still the same cause and effect cycle. People watch these type of shows/movies because that interest is already there, so blaming the logistical situation of chasing on television is incorrect IMO. I think it's just a convenient excuse for some who don't like sharing their once-emptier Plains with newer chasers. Hey, I like a storm to myself as much as the next guy, but I sure as hell can't claim I've more right to it than anyone else.

You wanna blame something, blame technology. Blame the ethics lectures and all the speakers who keep bringing it up in public events. That is just as much the reason for the exponential growth of public awareness to storm chasing as any flick. It's just a fact of life, the more time passes, the more people will become involved with something. (CFDG is a great example of this).

[Jeff Miller]

I don't know much about the increase in chasers due to these shows, as a newbie myself. But what I do know is because of these shows there's definitely an increase in people who accuse us of only doing it because of these shows and its a stereotype that's almost impossible to break.

I don't exactly mean to say that this stereotype is exactly a "bad" thing per se. The way I see it is that if a TV show like this does cause people to discover an unearthed passion in chasing then in my opinion it's a good thing, regardless of how one "found out" about chasing. I don't doubt some great chasers of today had their interest perked by "twister" - though many simply won't admit it.

The problem is as it always has been - those who see a show and go "ohh heyyy dude what an excellent idea - totally cool to chase a storm! oh look theres one now lets get in the pickup, [3 up front and 5 in the back - I've actually seen this!! the storm turned SE an hour later - I bet they weren't too pleased then with nickel sized hail!]and see what we can find!!! radical!!!!" with absolutely no experience or idea of what they are getting themselves into. These are the ones that all of us fear for on the road.

[David Drummond]

I guess the ones that really bother me, is when someone with a fully decked out chase vehicle pulls up, starts to chat, then asks something that should be so unbelievably basic for someone with such a decked out vehicle that is astounds you. Something like, "So, what area should I be watching for the tornado to come out?" or the even better "What are we looking at here?"

I can understand that from someone that pulls up in a regular car, but to spend the money to deck out a vehicle, you would think that person would have at least done their homework and learned some basic storm spotting. IMO you don't need to hit the road until you can at least identify the major features of a supercell storm.

[Doug_Kiesling]

LOL, exactly. As I said a few years ago, chasing has become golf. Nothing but rich white guys out there, and me :D

Don't you already wear Zubas while chasing :-D Just Kidding Shane.

One thing that is of concern is the locals seeing someone with some gear like the laptop desk and dash camera and say "Their A Storm Chaser, Follow Them..."

That has happened to a lot of us and it really gets annoying as you don't know who they are. But with all the new TV shows, those of us that chase in "Unmarked" chase rides should be pretty good while the TIV, DOWS and everyone else well be yahoo magnets.

So now that has me thinking, with the TV shows if they do get picked up for another season, how are the production companies going to deal with all the Yahoo's out there trying to get on TV? Afterall, A TV station in Chicago got hit by a crazy fan that drove into the studio to get on TV just the other day.

If the public knows there is a TV show being filmed, just think what the Yahoo's will do with the cameras around and rolling on? It could be a nightmare because just think of all the people that want to be on TV.

[David Drummond]

With the TV logos on my vehicle, I always get people yelling, "PUT ME ON TV!" I usually tell them to commit a felony and get arrested in front of me and I can guarantee it! heh

[JIM SELLARS]

I really think that Doug is right....When I was able to chase it was during the transition from "Sight chasing to Technological chasing"...A Gazetter was high tech..."Stealth mode" is the way to go now...Mag mount antennas and bungees all the way!!!....

[Darrin Rasberry]

Well, maybe if I tossed out freely the truly painful reason - the one that's beyond my typical explanation of a sort of Ahab-ish sense of hunt for the elusive beast that wrecked my town - why I've wanted to do this since two years before I was of age to drive (around the middle of my Cowboys' first two Super Bowl championships of that era, i.e. '92-'93) it would silence people, but I'd be using it as a tool to silence people.

As for the methods, i.e. the birth of the idea of stormchasing rather than becoming the next big Skip McBride (my confidence level wasn't enough, even through my college years, to be a person standing in front of a TV, despite my meteorology dream), I blame The Weather Channel, I think, for showing me the McConnell footage that was only surpassed in my mind after all these years a few months ago by an even more frightening, and, importantly, oddly moving video shot from a house behind that base at the same time.

[Bill Doms]

99.9% of the emails I have gotten from people (not just women) in the past month since Twister Sisters started are scared to death of storms in general much less seeing a tornado. I think when you start looking at the demographics of the target audience (and what channel/network they are airing on), I think only one of the three shows is very likely to even cause a ripple on the pond. Every time you surf the channels, there is something more extreme, more outrageous, etc being broadcast. I could see how the new generation of adrenaline junkies could easily get pulled into the mystic of seeing a tornado just for the rush but I doubt anyone will notice. From what angle and what distance will be defined next season. Maybe someone should do a show just documenting first time chasers????

[Jeff Miller]

Maybe someone should do a show just documenting first time chasers????

Oh lawdy....oh jeez....dont give them that idea....... LOL

[Darrin Rasberry]

Maybe someone should do a show just documenting first time chasers????

Haha, that would be me, and I already had this planned for months. I assume that one decent tornado would be a good goal for me for my first year, and I give myself a fifty/fifty chance of getting it.

I'd film everything else anyway, then combine all the busts in one super-sped up clip just long enough to fit that silly, jazzy "yakity saks" song.

I'm also insanely obsessed with House of Leaves, the novel by Mark Danielewski, and lifting from the original style of the book's central theme, I'd set out to document my feelings from time to time during my chases, as well as shots of the most beautiful sights (whether or not I get a tornado) and throw it up on Youtube. And then there's my idea of finding some way to steady-cam the birth and death of a supercell as I follow it, played in time with the inevitably overused "Everyday" piano theme.

Glad I stuck to math and didn't turn into a filmmaker. Aw heck - you all will witness the impending revolution of freshman stormchasing via genius cutting and slicing of my sure-to-be-rich-with-tornado footage. :rolleyes::D

[Shane Adams]

those of us that chase in "Unmarked" chase rides should be pretty good while the TIV, DOWS and everyone else well be yahoo magnets.

That's a good point. I run a "Kojak" rig, that has slowly morphed into more of a "Baretta" kind of thing (due to the beat-up nature of my paint job, broken window, and no hubcaps). So when I chase in my car, people are more apt to mistake me for a criminal than a chaser (especially this coming season if I decide to keep the beard LOL). I never have people approach me, even around storms.

Now when I'm chasing with Chad and Mickey in Chad's car, it's a whole other deal. The only time I'm ever conscious of the mesonet on the roof is when I'm either getting in or out of the car, and that's only because I usually bang my head off the bar twice each chase, and am trying not to the next time. But after about five minutes down the road, my head's buried in a map or the scanner and I forget it's up there. Then we stop, and I'll look up and see that everyone around us is staring. Then I get pissed and say "what the f#$k is so damn interesting??" And then I remember the mesonet. But the worst part is when people walk over. Chad, even though it's his car and he's the one who put it up there, will run away every chance he gets, and leave Mick or I to deal with the curious bystanders. So we started making stuff up, like that Chad's a meteorologist with OU and we're first-time chasers.

[JF Massicotte]

Why do I chase storms?

Answer is simple: I just can't remember when storms were not a passion for me. I was 5 and was amazed by them. Anything I did I wanted to see storms. Then came the idea to chase them. At first I wasn't chasing. I was just going out with my car, taking the same spot and taking whatever pictures I could take. Then I decided that storm events near this spot were poor and I soon started to read, read and read about storms.

I then registered on a weather boards here (I am from Montreal, Canada) and started some discussions with oher storm fan. I read on storms. And then read again. I've always been skillfull in science so I could understand pretty weel everything I could read. Then on a certain July afternoon I invited a member of this local board to a chase. This was my first chase and hell we had fun. No tornado. No real severe weather. But we had fun just like children.

I then went to some meeting were other members from this same board attended and met my second chase partner. Then came winter and I spent my time studying anything about severe weather. I think I've read more in this winter than anytime in my life. We then made a trip to Tornado Alley and, on May 5th, we caught our first tornado on tape South of Great Bend.


Why do I say all this? Because I want to show that many people that start chasing today probably don't do it because they saw that crazy show. Many people are amazed by severe storms and some of them will just do everything to live their passion. On May 4th a chaser told me we were crazy to drive all that from Montreal just to see storms. Well... many pay 2000$ just to see the sun somewhere else...

I, too, don't like to see a 304039 cars convoy but I can't say to these people they can't chase. Some of them are yahoos but many are legit chasers who do it because chasing has become a passion. Others are only starting and may find out it is NOT a passion and they will soon give up (this is all okay, you can't tell if you like or not unles you fully tried). Others are dangerous and we can only hope they do the same as the ones who will soon give up. There are @--h--le just everywhere, and chase community will not make any exeption to this.

[JIM SELLARS]

Oh lawdy....oh jeez....dont give them that idea....... LOL

I thought that was what Melanie and Peggy were doing with their show?...All of their guests to the "ACTION ZONE" have been previously non-chasing weather junkies.....:cool:

[Doug_Kiesling]

I really think that for those of us that want to see storms and not be bothered by the yahoo's, the best way is to go low profile. My Jeep will be easy to spot, I have the scuba diving sticker on it. I can always say "no, I'm not a chaser, I'm scuba dive underwater search and rescue"

I do like what I have been doing to some yahoo's, I just say, "Non parlo inglese, io sono italiano" which is "I don't speak english, I am Italian." You will see the look of WTF this dude does not speak english, lets leave now...

[Jeff Miller]

I thought that was what Melanie and Peggy were doing with their show?...All of their guests to the "ACTION ZONE" have been previously non-chasing weather junkies.....:cool:

I'm referring more to the new unaccompanied chaser.

I can see it now.

It's First Target Live on _______.

Episode 1: Learning the Ropes

Join ____ and _____ as they study the power of historic violent tornadoes and learn the tricks of the trade with veteran chasers ____ and ____. Join us next episode as they take to the road for the first time.

Episode 2: The First Chase

____ and ____ chase for the first time. Will they forecast successfully? Will it be a dance in the sunset or will they encounter the worst storm on the planet the supercell? Join us next week on First Target. Watch a beginner become a seasoned chaser before your very eyes.

Episode 3,4,5,6,7 - Continuing Adventures

Sounds interesting to me! :D

[JIM SELLARS]

Jeff....Sounds like a good deal to me....But make'm use the internet at the public library

[Doug_Kiesling]

As far as I'm concerned, all of the new TV shows are pilots or one off shows. Until I read in the media trade mags that they have been picked up for a second season, there just a one off thing. Unless the shows bring in lots of viewers to sell ad space, it's not going to see a second season.

Now how many one hit wonder TV shows can you think of? I can name dozens of shows that sounded cool but the viewers really just did not catch on or they got old and nobody cared anymore.

[Maggie Kahman]

I'm referring more to the new unaccompanied chaser.

I can see it now.

It's First Target Live on _______.

Episode 1: Learning the Ropes

Join ____ and _____ as they study the power of historic violent tornadoes and learn the tricks of the trade with veteran chasers ____ and ____. Join us next episode as they take to the road for the first time.

Episode 2: The First Chase

____ and ____ chase for the first time. Will they forecast successfully? Will it be a dance in the sunset or will they encounter the worst storm on the planet the supercell? Join us next week on First Target. Watch a beginner become a seasoned chaser before your very eyes.

Episode 3,4,5,6,7 - Continuing Adventures

Sounds interesting to me! :D

Jeff....Sounds like a good deal to me....But make'm use the internet at the public library.

Oh, man!! I would love to see that. Would be very interesting, thats for dang sure:D

[Scott McPartland]

Hi all!

I think (as mentioned in this thread many times already) that the gas prices alone will keep many non serious chasers off the road...lol. Here in New York City we're up to about 3.30 a gallon. But overall, out of all the media attention will come a steady influx of new chasers, and as also mentioned before, over time many will give up while a few will ultimately decide that "yea, I really like this and want to continue to learn, and to chase".

In essence, that was me 20+ years ago. It started with a combination severe weather event here in my neighborhood in Queens, NY (The exact date was August 29th, 1985) and you guessed it.....the NOVA special. That was it, I was hooked! I spent the next 14 years filming thunderstorms in NYC but didn't actually chase out on the plains until 1999. I feel for many of the newbies that get accused of the "oh, you're only into it because of this or that or someother bull&*&t. I've been accused of the same. To me, it really doesn't matter what initally gets you interested in chasing. Whether it's the Twister Sisters show, or "Storm Chasers" on Discovery, who cares......as long as you want to learn, care about safety, and are respectful...I'd love to have a beer with you :)

Anyway, I also agree that many of the more "decked out" vehicles will get more of the hanger ons, so low key probably is best. All though, with the hail guards that Dave Lewison designed for my Nissan Xterra, lol......it's a little hard for us to remail low key. But, I'm willing to deal with that for a little extra glass protection. Then again, my appearance alone might keep some of them away. Anyone who knows me understands what I'm talking about, lol...Like Shane, my full blown beard might have folks wondering (especially if I'm not driving at the time), is he a chaser? or some drug dealer that got busted and that's why he's in some kind of bullet proof vechile! This will be even more of a likelyhood if I decide to keep my 2 month beard growth going another few months :D

One thing I do know is that no matter what, the majority of us here, myself included, will continue to chase no matter how many people end up out there. However, I will haul off on anyone that does something completely stupid that puts me, or Dave in jepordy. With that said, lol.....see you all out on the plains!!

[George Kourounis]

As far as I'm concerned, all of the new TV shows are pilots or one off shows. Until I read in the media trade mags that they have been picked up for a second season, there just a one off thing. Unless the shows bring in lots of viewers to sell ad space, it's not going to see a second season.


Well actually, my TV show (Angry Planet) has been picked up for a second season of 13 episodes. That makes 26 in total. Right now it airs in Canada (in both english and french), United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and Finland. Season one Episodes started airing back in March 2007.

As far as I know, this is the first ever storm chaser based, full 13 episode TV show. We're about halfway through filming season two right now and recently returned from storm chasing in Australia.

Currently, the show is not airing in the U.S. but I hope to see that change in the near future. We'll see what happens. Once all the season one shows have aired, then we might do a box set for sale.

As for influencing viewers. A lot of the stuff I do on the show wouldn't be practical for most people to try and imitate but if there ends up being a few more cars out there on the plains next season... Well they have as much right to be out there as any of us do. Just please be safe.

George Kourounis
www.stormchaser.ca (http://www.stormchaser.ca/)
www.angryplanet.tv (http://www.angryplanet.tv/)