I’ve been on the road the last few days seeing part of the country I’ve never seen before and have been so pleasantly surprised. I will probably post more on that in the next couple of days.
However, the reason for this post is short but sweet.
Since I left WNBC the amount of love and loyalty that has been sent my way from all of you has been almost incomprehensible to me. Whether it has been in response to posts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter your words have often moved me in many ways. The response to this blog has been more than I expected and your kind words, interest and genuine appreciation has meant more to me than you can know.
With this blog I hope to let you know.
Often the words and comments are centered around how much you miss me being part of your routine in the mornings. I certainly understand there’s a comfort in familiarity and consistency. I’ve always felt early morning viewers are the most loyal. We awake in the morning everyday and are rather vulnerable to the world around us. Outside of our partners or immediate family living in the home with us, we generally don’t have to or want to start inviting people into our home before we’ve showered, shaved and gotten rid of the bedhead look. Maybe that’s me Im talking about, but I have a feeling that applies to many of you reading this right now.
Whether you turned on the TV at 4AM, 5 or 6AM, if you turned to WNBC and Today in NY, most mornings it was this guy giving you your daily weather forecast.
As I move forward in my next journeys in life(many of which are probably still unknown to me), I want to pause one more time to express my gratitude to all of you who have watched loyally, occasionally or maybe just during big weather days.
I’ve expressed to many friends the way this post-WNBC period feels like. You know when we go to wakes, funerals or memorial services you often hear people speaking highly or proudly of the deceased. Unfortunately, usually the person who is no longer with us never heard those words either spoken to them or about them while they were alive.
However, the fact that I am deceased from my job at WNBC does not prevent me from hearing such wonderful accolades. With todays world of social media I can see what everyone is feeling now that I’m gone. Some of the responses have been so personal. I honestly have to say I had no idea while I was doing my job day to day just how much it meant to many of you.
While I always felt it was a privilege to serve the public, I really guess I didn’t have a grasp of the connection that was being created between viewers and myself. With some of you, I was aware, as over the years we either met in person or through social media. Many I’ve just learned of through your responses to my end at WNBC.
So it’s like I died, but I got to hear the good stuff. It might sound silly or strange, but being on the receiving end, I have to tell you I’m so blown away. It has truly made waking up at 2AM all those years feel much more worth it. We are paid well to perform our craft, but it is still you, the audience, that are all collectively our bosses. Judging by many of your sweet kind words, I managed to get some of you to like me.
I don’t know what’s next. I’m working on this blog. A podcast is in the works and should be out shortly. I’ve thought about writing a book(tediously time consuming). I would love to do something in the broadcasting world involving travel, host a show, be creative. I don’t know if I will show up in the daily grind of local TV weather again, but I do know I’m not done. Maybe I’ll save the book for when I REALLY retire.
All of that being said, it has been your supportive and powerful words I’ve had the honor of reading over the nearly past three months that help me get through each day and get me more excited about the next one. I hope you come along with me wherever it is I go. I will ALWAYS do the best for all of you as you have all become extended family in my heart and soul. Thank you all!!!! More travel blogs and fun stuff is ahead.
Please feel free to comment and give me suggestions about what you would like to see me do or try. After all, some of this journey is in your hands too. I live to keep my people happy.
Once again, if you’ve come this far……. thank you and sunshine always!!!
sitelock.quinathen
Miss you every morning? So glad to catch up on FB. And please write that book! Good weather, or bad, you managed to bring “sunshine” every day!
I’m sure everyone of your “early morning” family will agree with me that no “thank you’s” are necessary. We all want you to enjoy what life has to offer and just enjoy the ride!!!!
I never had the pleasure of watching you on TV (hard to getWNBC in Florida), but I have got to know you throughEdmi and your blogs. I can honestly say I feel honored to say you are now my friend. I enjoy your blog enormously and look forward spending some time getting to know you better. Until then, keep them logs coming
Chris, I would love for you to do a show that includes travel , weather, and future retirees that are looking to relocate, out of state , where you would describe the weather conditions and what to expect, example Florida-hurricanes & humidity Arizona- heat/ no humidity. You get the point, I think that would be great for you. Excellent personality and you appeal to your audience. Giancarlo
Hi Chris,
Again, words from your heart, so refreshing! You really don’t know how many people woke up to your weather reports and what that meant to them. It is absolutely amazing when you read the comments and think, wow! I was not the only one who made WNBC a part of their morning routine, and more importantly, you being such a part of that!
I have to agree and say, It is just not the same, really, truly it is not.
But I will continue to enjoy your blog and wish you the best in wherever life takes you next!
Definitely a book should be in your future. You write beautifully. It’s so nice of you to let us know how much you appreciate our support, not everyone would bother to do that and it makes me smile to know we are helping you through this. Though you have a beautiful partner, and are able to travel and do wonderful things there has to be that jolt that still hits you every now and again after being so loyal so again I’m glad you can see how everyone adored you. Thank you for your kind words to me and all your other viewers/ fans. Can’t wait for the podcast that has become such a thing and I listen to a few and find it relaxing. I’m sure you will be great at it.
This is what you’ve earned. The love, and admiration of those of us who’ve been waking up to you each morning forever. You didn’t “perform”, you engaged. From the forecast, your family, My Sir Charles, to your undying passion for The Mets, you brought us into your life. We all hurt with you during Your Nancy’s illness, and demise, we were all so very proud of Carly and Jeremy at graduation, and sooo very happy for Jeremy when he became engaged, and subsequently married. I was ELATED when you shared Edmi with us, she’s beautiful, and she’s a keeper. Speaking for myself, you’re a beloved family member, and family comes first. I will follow you wherever you go, as long as you allow it. ❤️🤗
Whatever is in your future just know I will be following you and it!! Whether it be reading your books you will possibly write or blogs or anything you do….I am a fan and a follower! You inspire and are inspirational! Just keep doing you …it’s really good!!!
Chris, the only good thing about you not being our early am weatherman is you do not have to get up at 2am. Hope to see you again on tv or maybe at a local restaurant one day. All the best to you !!!
Grew up in Canarsie , not far from where you grew up. Never felt connected to anyone on tv. You truly brightened up my morning for many many years while I was getting ready to go to work and you are truly missed!!!!!!!! Be happy and continue sharing your thoughts and trips and life!!!!!! I look forward to it!!
Oh Chris, I’ve Followed you thru so many ups and downs….I worried for you during Nancy’s illness and grieved for you when I heard of her passing….I found you easily relatable and felt kinship in our fierce loyalty to our Mets (watching them right now!.)
When I read your blog on the on-air issue in April, I understood. It happens.
I always relied on your forecast to tell me what to expect as I walked out my door. I don’t walk out that door early since I retired two years ago, but I was always glad to know that you were there if I needed it….
For now, enjoy the magic and keep sharing….❤️
Chris, like many others, I watched you every morning on NBC as I got ready for work. I’m still trying to adjust to you not being there. I’m glad you have gotten such a great response to the blog & that you now know how much you have meant to so many people. We are all looking forward to following you along your next adventures. Thank you for all the great work & humor on NBC & for giving us this great gift of still being a part of our lives!
When I found out you were no longer part of the morning show I watched every morning for years, it was like s punch to my gut. For weeks, I couldn’t watch the show. And now I just tune in for a few minutes for the headlines and tune out. It really is not the same without you Chris. I would love to see you back on TV in the morning but whatever you do, I will follow! There is a special quality about you that draws people toward you in such a positive way. I’m excited for you on your journey, especially since you have been including your loyal fans along the way. You got this!
You keep writing, I’ll keep reading! That way you still bring sun to my cloudy days, and more happiness to the sunny ones.
Dear Chris
I was on vacation on your last day and had no clue I was never going to see you again on television. I had been watching you for years and I can’t tell you how much I miss you every morning. It will never be the same without you. You are such a classy guy and I am so happy you that you have a blog where we can still follow you and read all about your journey. You are like part of the family. Please don’t stop sharing it’s great to go along the ride with you. 😊
Such moving words from a wonderful man. I find myself sleeping a few minutes later so I don’t see the 10 day forcast. I miss your voice.
My mornings are just not the same…I have watched you for so many years every morning as I got ready to start my day…you got my day off to a great start…I would quote you all day long…Chris said it would rain…Chris said it would be sunny…I miss you but I truly feel everything happens for a reason…although we don’t always get it right away…when one door closes another one opens…enjoy your next chapter…
You are a breath of fresh air. Thanks, Chris
Hey Chris we are with you all the way. We have been watching you for years and we will stick with you. It was a pleasure everyday you were so real and sincere and we enjoyed all the years. I have lost both my mom and dad this year and of course everyone has lost a job we have no choice but to move forward. Stay positive and know we are in your corner. I believe WNBC made a big mistake but as they say something better will be in your future. Love the blog and looking forward to a podcast, or maybe a radio show or maybe you can turn the travel channel around i think it needs help all i see are ghost stories on there now lol.
Chris,
You were such a ray of sunshine in the morning the only reason I watched was b/c of you. You got a raw deal its not about loyalty anymore, how sad this is . My sisters were both let go from a job they had one was there 33 years the other probably around 20. You reach to a certain age and you are put out to pasture so it seems.
Hopefully, you will be on tv again soon.
Hi Chris
Of course I miss you on channel four and am so happy you are traveling and enjoying your true self with your family and friends
What a very smart gift you gave yourself
Fondly
Theresa Ihde
Big Fan
🙏😊👍😍🌸🦋🎵🍽🍷⭐️
You are welcome! Miss you in the A.M. Enjoy following you on your travels.
Chris – I’m clueless on the particulars of your leaving….but you’ve been great! Yeah, I tell my wife that you, Darlene, Michael, Lauren, and whoever else are my morning crew, and she says I’m nuts…but, whatever. Love the blog. Sorry about the Mets, but sorrier about the Cubs (my team, since like, uh, 196x). Best of luck. And great hair…don’t mess….
Thanks for everything. Look for you down the road.
Miss you Chris
I was so depressed when I saw the good-bye show. I had no idea, and was down about it and could not watch Early Today in New York for several days and it was a hard adjustment to a new weather person. I didn’t think I would ever adjust.
Many nights I stayed up all night to watch you, Darlene, Mike and Lauren, my favorite TV news/weather/traffic crew on TV. You all should have won for best morning show every year.
I was thrilled when you got your dachshund (great dogs). And very sad about the loss of your wife, Nancy.
But it seems as if you restarted your life, which is very good to read about. And the photos are fantastic!
I’m so glad you explained what happened with the job loss, as I couldn’t figure out why my favorite weather person was leaving. I do think it was horribly unfair, as you were excellent at the job, friendly and witty at 5 a.m. every day. And you, Darlene and Mike were quite a hilarious and warm team together.
Anyway, now that I see you have a blog, Facebook, and other social media platforms, I”ll follow
your adventures. Hope your travels and new experiences are good and enhance your life.
And hope you find a new job that you enjoy. You deserve it and more.
Best wishes in the times ahead.
I have to say it IS strange not seeing you do the forecast every morning. But life DOES go on! Monday I start retirement (that shows MY age!!!!) so sooner or later change comes to us all one way or another. Sometimes we choose the changes that come, sometimes we don’t. Alot of the time we don’t even have the option! But I think social media sometimes is a big help. Wishing you luck in everything and enjoy seeing what you are up to!
Always wishing you the best!
Fred Maller
Chris, wherever you go, I will go! Man, how I miss you in the mornings! I watched from 4 AM to 6AM which was time to leave for work. I so looked forward to your weather forecast for then I knew what I was going to wear that day! Though I still watch because of Darlene and Michael, I now listed to 1010Wins for the weather! I wish you only the best and I thank YOU for all the years of providing us with your wit, charm and yes, the weather!
Miss you in the morning our die hard met fan. I wish you well in whatever and wherever your road may lead. Hope to meet you someday so we can exchange our trails and tribulations as met fans. God bless and be well. You will always be my favorite weatherman.
Still not over you’re being gone from the morning routine (I’m carrying a grudge and can’t quite get into the new gal but I’m trying…) but at least we have this blog to keep up with you. Thanks for posting Chris. Look forward to hearing about your travels and next chapters. all the best!!
I miss you everyday too… I felt you knew me just because I live in EB. We must have crossed paths in Shop Rite or at Vinnys or maybe Walgreens. Keep your head up and keep an eye out for good things ahead!
Chris,
Having just relocated from New York to Virginia this summer I was unaware of your departure from WNBC. I have been missing the entire morning crew because in my opinion no other city has a morning team whose delivery is as professional and polished as the NY team. What politics are at work here I cannot guess, I have been a huge fan of yours since before the days you subbed on the Today Show. Your elegant, slightly sarcastic reporting was perfect for NY and if the other parts of the country or other regulars couldn’t handle it that reflects their pettiness. My best wishes to you for success and happiness in whatever you chose to pursue next!
Chris, although I still miss your sense of humor (and your impeccable style in suits) I have gotten accustomed to your replacement. I still tune in every morning and secretly wish that maybe we would see you filling in. Lol. I’m glad you’ve found happiness again and look forward to your travel blogs. All the best to you!!
Pretty cool/cold this time of year in the Blue Ridge. Heck, even in the summer. I think your idea of a travel show is fantastic!
Chris,
You made a unique connection with so many people over the years. We love you and will follow you wherever you go and whatever you do. Just find something that makes you happy. You deserve nothing less!
Just found out you’re no longer at NBC-very sorry you were terminated, but as the saying goes: “As one door closes, another opens much wider.” If you’re driving cross-country, savor every minute. This country’s awesome, especially going West via I-80 to California. Visit Mount Rushmore if possible-photos don’t do it justice. It’s so awesome it’ll leave you speechless. Enjoy your new journey on your Path of Life. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.
As always you inspire! I will always miss you in my morning routine, you’re right about not letting people in before brushing my teeth. Please continue to live the good life and let us know how and where you are, thank you for allowing me to continue to follow you as I’ve done for almost half my life. Wishing you nothing but the best 💕
Chris, I shared on my Facebook page about interviewing you as someone (YOU) who I watched for years after reading your blog. I never read blogs. Weather is one of my hobbies and those who report are my friends from afar helping me plan my day. I didn’t know you left NBC until I saw the post on Facebook. Seeing someone talk on the TV is different than the printed word. I can’t keep typing through the tears. I had job dreams, and hearing a voice and seeing someone is like you know them personally. Thank you for being the TV friend, and I hope I can sit and chat with you over coffee about your career and have you teach me. The sky is the limit right? Thank you for telling me every day so I could be a good sailor. God Bless.