DanMargarita.com

When it debuted on cable TV some years ago some people laughed at those who would sit and watch nothing but forecasts, but it provided a valuable service for anyone in need of an immediate weather update. Then The Weather Channel went "Hollywood."

In an attempt to perhaps compete with other networks, TWC has added feature stories in a seeming bid to boost ratings. They include such prime-time programming as "Storm Stories" which, as may have guessed, tells stories of people who have survived storms.

One recent episode told the story of a village in Iceland that was hit hard by an avalanche. While my heart goes out to those who suffered through it, I must remind them that little good can happen weather-wise if you choose to live in a place called "ICE-land."

The attempt to make weather so dramatic makes it seem like a bad who-dunnit. I keep waiting for the end where it's revealed that the typhoon did it.

They also recreated the expedition of Ernest Shackleton, whose crew miraculously survived being trapped for two years on an Antarctic expedition that began in 1914. Oddly enough this trip has now become a hot tourist attraction. There is one company that promotes "Shackleton's Footsteps---Antarctic Cruise" which could also be called "Slowly Destroying a Largely Unspoiled Ecosystem by Yuppies." Perhaps these people should recreate the journey of "The Donner Party"---vegetarians need not apply.

If TWC really insist on trying to draw ratings, they could do like a Russian TV channel which has program called (no joke) "The Naked Truth" that features an attractive female newsreader who proceeds to undress while she reads the news. Of course in the U.S., The Weather Channel in a the spirit of equality and political correctness, would have to feature naked men as well. This should be a relatively inexpensive venture considering the amount of money they wouldn't have to spend on clothes or a pointer.

For you weather buffs, you'll be happy to know that TWC has it's own web site. The site has many features including a "tornado alert" that you can sign up for. This seems unnecessary since tornadoes move at a pretty good clip. By the time you log on to your computer for a tornado alert, chances are that your trailer will be blowing high over Kansas.

Another place to go on the site is to TWC store. There's all sorts of items which make the perfect anniversary gift. Nothing says "I love you" more than an hygrometer.

The Weather Channel is not limited to the U.S. For those "across the pond" there is "The Weather Channel U.K." website. I spent a week in the U.K some years ago. Every morning the weather maps showed the same thing---clouds from top to bottom.

The U.S. Weather Channel has many more features than it's British counterpart, including weather reports for baseball games. The Minnesota Twins should be pretty easy to predict since they play in a domed stadium.

The Weather Channel was a unique concept that fills a definite need. They may have forced C-span to match their drama.

Before long we may see "The Nude Congress."