--In the control room--

Ok, I'm in the control room, ready to go back on the air. In picking up where I left off, James Williams was my technical director. James was great!

Let me explain briefly that the technical director position is occupied by the person who pushes all the buttons. I call the show as a director and then James calls up when I need on the switcher.

He was there punching the show as if we had planned everything. James went beyond the call of duty and offered his input on a couple of things. For instance, you may have seen Brett in a double box with our radar and weather computers.

That idea came from James.

Our audio operator Yvette, was able to follow the flow of the show easily, making sure our viewers heard everything they were supposed to hear.

Ismere Peyton and Matt Hall were our producers in the booth. They were in constant with the sports executive producer, Matt King at FedEx field and with the camera operators.

Ismere was also working with me in making sure we provided the proper graphics on air. Not only was I directing the broadcast, but I also served as my own graphics operator.

While we have an automated graphics system, when you have breaking news or events like tonight, automation goes out the window. I can say it's a huge challenge not only directing this type of coverage, but also maintaining four channels of graphics!

I also couldn't have done all this without Judy Gough. Judy was running teleprompter for me. Anchors aren't the only people that use the teleprompter. When I direct shows like this, I follow the flow of things with my computer in front of me and with the teleprompter.

That way, I can keep my eyes on the monitor wall and the on air product and not bury my head in paper scripts!

I can't end this blog without mentioning some very important people, and those people were the ones at the stadium!

Everyone out in the field did a tremendous job in bring metro viewers the latest on the game delay, and just as important with me, they kept themselves safe from the lightning too. All the camera operators and engineering technicians did a tremendous job in keeping the pictures and words flowing until the lightning forced them to power down.

As far as I'm concerned, whenever there is lightning in an area, there's just no question that the mast on the truck comes down and you protect yourself!

That being said, the crew out in the field worked under very harsh conditions. They were out at the football stadium early in the day when the temperatures were soaring towards 100 degrees. Then they were out that night in the rain. The game started late and by the time the news is over on Saturday night/Sunday morning, it may well be 2am before all is wrapped up.

I'm proud to say that our technicians and videographers are the finest in the region!

Of course, this entry would not be complete without mentioning our on air sports anchors. Those guys truly were able to rock ‘n roll. Brett, Levan and Sara are three of the preeminent sports anchors/reporters in this territory and it showed Saturday evening. At the same time, Howard Bernstein kept viewers up to date on the progress of the storms.

Television is such a team effort. I have to say I don't know if my words can truly do justice to what a team effort tonight was. As a viewer, all you see is what we put out on the air. Watching a television broadcast, I seriously doubt that people think what really goes on to bring you that broadcast.

Hopefully, this blog can give you some sort of an idea!