No no, he's not dead, but according to the Star, Harold Hosein has been let go by City-TV. He was perhaps the most unlikely weather guy ever: a West Indian accent, older and awful fashion sense. With that being said, it worked in a hokey kind of way. He was more though, he was perhaps one of the only West Indian personalities on TV growing up, and he had this striking resemblance to my dad. With him being really old, it will be hard to get another gig on TV. Let's hope he's got his umbrella to weather this storm out. Zing.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Harold Hosein: R.I.P.
No no, he's not dead, but according to the Star, Harold Hosein has been let go by City-TV. He was perhaps the most unlikely weather guy ever: a West Indian accent, older and awful fashion sense. With that being said, it worked in a hokey kind of way. He was more though, he was perhaps one of the only West Indian personalities on TV growing up, and he had this striking resemblance to my dad. With him being really old, it will be hard to get another gig on TV. Let's hope he's got his umbrella to weather this storm out. Zing.
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4 comments:
Harold is the real deal, a classic straight shooter. If this comes off as a rant, please forgive...
He's an old friend of the family, but fell out of touch with my parents. I used to teach Grade 5/6 a few years ago...
When I called him 20 years later (ie. after my folks lost contact with him), he kindly agreed to do a little school visit to complement our class's Grade 5 'Weather' curriculum. He brought in weather balloons, and various meteorological instruments. In a nutshell, he gave the kids the proverbial inside scoop on how meteorologists forecast the weather. The kids were amazed -- as a teacher, I couldn't have possibly come close to giving them more insight into the science of weather as Harold did in his one hour presentation.
As to his commitment to his job, one teacher asked if he could mention the school by name that night after his visit. He was firm -- Harold respectfully declined, but noted that his City TV news segments were tight, and he truly didn't have the seconds to spare.
I suspect that many would regard the weather as a place in which little 'weather bunnies' get their start in TV news. Not Harold -- he put in the time... I boosted this from another blog, but Harold's qualifications are of the highest order:
He joined Environment Canada in 1968 as a weather observer, analyzing and making maps/charts. Harold was appointed to the Toronto International Airport and in 1969, trained for upper air observations (balloons with radios, making soundings of upper atmosphere and translating into charts). Harold trained in advanced meteorology in 1971-72 and for the next ten years was a radar weather media consultant.
In 1989, after 21 years at Environment Canada, Harold joined the team at "CityPulse." He also serves as staff meteorologist at radio station 680News. Harold is certified by the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.
Here's the kicker... I'm pretty sure that Harold didn't bother to have his certification from the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society displayed prominently on his broadcasts (unlike other up-in-coming 'pretty boy' weathermen, or ancient, washed-up old boys who rely on childish drawings on a clear screen to deliver the weather with self-perceived panache. Harold was, and is, confident in his expertise -- he has nothing to prove.
I've seen a few blogs that refer to Harold as a groundbreaking visible minority in the news media. Very noble, but..
I don't pretend to speak for him, but I'd be blown away if elevating the status of visible minorities was the primary focus in his career. Personally, I think that he just came to Canada, worked bloody hard and bloody long in a field he loved, played things fair and square, and that was the end of it. What more could we ask of anyone -- Canadian immigrant or otherwise?
Harold, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and an expert in your field. Whatever happens, I bid you peace, and prosperity.
Doug
Doug,
Your comments are far from a rant, but an accurate assessment of the individual I know.
What's really galling about the situation is that City-tv, the station that has based it's very existence and corporate persona on representing and fighting for the "little guy" and which purports to be the face of "diversity" in Toronto, had the temerity to serve notice to someone who provided 17 years of professional service to them via a voicemail.... after returning from 4 weeks of holiday, no less. That's a FACT!! City tried to distribute information via press releases that Harold chose to move on to other career pursuits... nonsense. He was terminated, and in the most ignominious of fashions. Shame on City-tv for its treatment of a classy, devoted and long-time empoloyee who assisted significantly in raising their corporate and commuity profiles. Their actions speak more loudly than words and Harold's loyal viewers and listeners need to know the truth about his treatment by the executives at City. Even more classless is City's removal of all references to Harold on its site... not even in the search function. I understand that there has been quite a response to his departure, as there should be. Individuals of Harold Hosein' class, stature and humility are few and far between. I was a loyal City-tv viewer and have followed the station from the days of it's inception... not any longer. Businesses who treat their employees with such indiscretion doesn't deserve a clientele.
The fact that everyone was TOLD about the private firing of Hosein by CITY.. was HIS choice. He is the only one who knew the details.
People are getting fired every second of every day. 10,000 GM employees are out on their ears.. I doubt they have as much financial stability that Harold has after so many years of work. He just got tossed by 680 now.. I suppose we'll hear all about THAT too..
I'm glad, his accent was annoying and hard to understand. Just shows that affirmative action isn't invincible.
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