On Thursday, TBS announced that the new reality show “Funny or Die Presents America's Next Weatherman” will begin airing on the network in August. The series will feature 12 contestants vying for a regular gig as a weathercaster on CNN's morning program “New Day,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Produced by Funny or Die and Mark Burnett, the eight-episode series will have competitors trying their best to secure a job as a top weatherperson—and to win $100,000.
“America's Next Weatherman,” reported TVSpy, will be “tweaked through the Funny Or Die prism to create an original viewing experience,” which will include physical challenges and “dramatic vote-offs.”
“'Funny Or Die Presents America's Next Weatherman' takes everything we know—or think we know—about weathercasters and then uses it to put 12 competitors through the wringer for a chance at the big time," said David Eilenberg, senior vice president of unscripted development, late night and specials for TBS and TNT, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “The results are really something. This series is a fresh and extremely funny addition to TBS' late-night lineup.”
Each hour-long episode will be hosted by actor, writer and improviser Matt Oberg, known for his work on “The Comedians,” “The Mindy Project” and “30 Rock,” according to TVWeek. Two weather personalities will serve as judges: Los Angeles weatherman Johnny Mountain of KABC and KCBS and Jillian Barberie of “Good Day LA” and “Fox NFL Sunday” fame.
The contestants range in age from 23 to 42 and hail from all across the United States. Some competitors have worked in weather before and others are newcomers to the field of meteorology.
“Being on this show was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I just could not pass up,” said 27-year-old contestant Michelle Rotella of Gaithersburg, Md., in an email to the Washington Post. Rotella graduated from high school at 16, earned her degree in meteorology from Florida State Univerity and is now the chief meteorologist for HMTV6 in Hagerstown, Md. “America should watch this show because there is nothing of its kind out there,” she added. “It combines real situations that can truly happen in this industry with a twist of true TBS comedy!”
“This will be the first time I've poked a little fun—actually a lot of fun—at what I am best known for,” said reality television mastermind Burnett, who is known for “Survivor,” “Shark Tank” and “The Voice.” “It's a real wink to our audience as we look for the next great meteorologist. The funniest part is that it turns out that these are actually terrific weathercasters.”
“America’s Next Weatherman” premieres Saturday, Aug. 8, at 11 p.m. on TBS.
