Jeff Berardelli, CBS 2's weekend morning meteorologist since 2003, announced just moments ago that he is leaving the station. He said that this would be his last week at CBS 2 before he heads down to Miami to join WFOR-TV.He first appeared on the weekend morning newscasts in May of 2003, filling in for Janine D'Adamo, working alongside Lisa Daniels and Mario Bosquez. He replaced D'Adamo when she left in July of that year but wasn't announced as a permament member of the CBS 2 Weather Team until August when David Rogers was fired. He had previously worked at WTSP in Tampa.
"It has been such an honor being here in New York City, in my hometown, born and raised in New York," Berardelli told viewers at the end of this morning's broadcast. "I've been here for four years at WCBS, a fantastic station with fantastic people. Some of the most talented people in the business, honestly, work here."He also called WFOR a "fantastic station" and said, "They have the best hurricane coverage in the United States." But he's not just trading in snow storms for hurricanes: "I just want to get in touch with the outdoors again." He said that he loves fishing, boating, scuba diving and kayaking.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity but I will really miss being here with you," he said to anchors Cindy Hsu and Kirstin Cole. "You guys are the best." Hsu and Cole made him a cake that said "Good bye and Good luck Jeff!"He mentioned that he'll be back to help broadcast the "Tunnel to Towers" run because that cause is very important to him. The event is held every September. Berardelli's bio says that he "is active in the Tunnel To Towers Organization, designed to remember the victims of 9-11." He ran in it last year.
Berardelli is the third meteorologist to leave the station in recent months under the changes being instituted by News Director David Friend. Craig Allen and Audrey Puente are the others. A replacement has yet to be named publicly, though it's been rumored for months that Lonnie Quinn would be joining CBS 2.
3 comments:
Jeff Berardelli will be missed. He is a great meteorologist, but obviously WCBS management didn't see this. He obviously is passionate about the weather, and his presentation skills were top notch. Now this leaves John Bolaris as the only member of the weather team that remains from the Dianne Doctor/Lew Leone era at CBS 2, and from the sound of things, it seems like his days might be numbered too. I do not like the way things seem to be moving at CBS 2 lately. All of the good people are disappearing and being replaced by boring out-of-towners.
Imfrom Miai & one thing Lonnie Quinn is not ... is boring
Jeff is definitely missed. Both he and Craig Allen are excellent, and now both gone. Craig's still on 880, and a fill-in meteorologist for News12 Long Island.
Post a Comment