wow, look at all the old school weather forecasting. you look at it then and look at it now. huge change. from chalk boards to large flat panel screens.
@MrMegaFredzeppelin That IS a classic. 1980 was the first full year I was living in North Hollywood, and I'd switch to different news channels (L.A. had a lot of great channels giving the news), but I've always liked Eyewitness News on Channel 7. Dr George was fun to watch, and I liked Jerry Dunphy too. Christine Lund was a great newscaster as well.
As a wee child, I once met Dr. George in the parking lot of a liquor store on the eastern edge of Hollywood. He was energetic and friendly, and was quick to open his car trunk and hand me a bunch of Dr. George Fischbeck pins/buttons. I wish I still had one of them today. What a memorable character!
Thanks so much for this, I have fond memories of watching this guy growing up in the 80s, and it was great to see him again. Seems like a pretty representative slice of his style!
I was at the SFV Auto Club today with my father. An elderly man in a T-shirt, and black glasses was standing in line, and I joked, "Looks like Dr.George". As the man turned, his shirt had DR GEORGE letters pressed on it like from those T-shirt shops in the 70's. He was with his wife, and they both looked happy and healthy. He kept making conversations with other people, and his voice and mind seemed sharp as ever. He said he was 88; still active locally, and was happy to be recognized. 9/9/2010
I remember Dr. George..as a kid I would watch the news JUST to see him. His horned rimmed glasses and bow tie were what made him a curious item on TV at the time. I just moved back to LA, and must admit, I looked for the DR. and miss 'em..
True story: I called KABC when I was 13 to ask Dr. George Fishbeck for help with my science project on the ozone layer. Left a message for him and about three hours later he called me back and answered my questions for about 15 minutes. Incredibly kind and sweet man. And I got an A- !
My grandpa and I both loved Dr. George. I would religiously watch channel 7 news after school, and remember always enjoying Dr. George's forecasts. My grandpa would always tell me... when you see Dr. George, think of me... 'cause I'm watching too, and I'm thinking of you! Great to see this clip.
This man was an icon (and still is) during my childhood growing up in L.A. To this day, no one can do a weather report like Dr. George. I love this guy. And Jerry and Christine as news anchors were legendary. Those three anchors still stand foremost in my mind as the standard for all news broadcasters. The good old days. A simpler time.
Yes, Southern California really did get rain a looong time ago... I remember!(I miss rain)Dr. George was a unique individual. He was into what he was doing and he knew what he was doing, which is more than I can say for these airhead bimbettes the stations now throw at us who don't even do a good job disguising the fact they don't know anything about the weather. At least they could try to pretend they know what they're talking about, lol!!
Thank you so much. You have answered a 20 year question I have had about Tom Wait's Nighthawk's at the Diner "Emotional Weather Forecast". I am not sure... I think Dr. George Fishbeck DID have something on Tom.
Dr. George rocks! BTW... The date on the IR Sat image was "20FE80" which = Feb. 20th, 1980 which would have made this Wednesday. Saturday which he mentioned would be just over 72hrs away. Six storms hit Southern California. 31.69 in Mt. Wilson, 25.56 in Palomar Mtn., 12.75 in LA, 4.47 in San Diego. 30 killed in widespread floods and mud slides. Post-fire flooding overwhelmed a basin below Harrison Canyon in north San Bernardino four times. Forty homes were damaged or destroyed. - SGX WX
god bless whoever posted this. children loved this guy. he tried his luck with kcal from 94-96 but retired due to age. he is reported to volunteer his time at the la zoo in case anyone is wondering
From the Desert, to the Sea, To All of Southern California the team of the late Jerry Dunphy, Christine Lund, and George Fishbeck was the greatest. Dr. Fishbeck even went out to the schools to educate students about the weather. All three were class acts.
ah there he is...The Man...The George...I remember he had given the wrong weather in the Orange Co. area and the viewer called in to the station and told him him that he ruin her fern plant(it rain that day)...and he told her on the air...he apologized and will send her a new plant (he had forecasted it would be hot and sunny)...he was the coolest.I sure do miss him...unlike the news today where they have women who are trying to show their figure and boobs...I can't stand Jackie Johnson on Ch 9
I just saw Dr. George last year at the Ventura County Fire Department Headquarters--he just "happened" to be driving by. It was a real honor to shake his hand. I grew up watching him.
I wonder if you have any complete episodes of AM Los Angeles with Regis Philbin and I wonder if the theme from AM Los Angeles later became the famous theme from "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous" with Robin Leach? Thank you.
I lived in L.A. from 1986-1992 and I remember Dr. George very well. He would be blabbing along all the while the weather data would just keep scrolling on by while he digressed and then he'd read the last bit of weather data and wrap it up. He always digressed and it was very funny. Dr. George is still with us... I think he is 86! Happy retirement days Dr. George!
Grew up on watching these people. I like the low-end desks and chalkboards. It was a simpler time. I can only imagine what people are gonna say about the newscasts of today 25 years from now "Oh, those graphics are so old-school, look at what they called high definition at the time"
As a child, Dr. George was my hero and sparked my interest in weather. He was a genuine science teacher on this show. I was always excited when stormy weather was in the neighborhood. I used to have a rain bucket, anemometer, barometer, and a wet/dry bulb thermometer kit from Radio shack. He will always be remembered.
The Dr. George weather forecast reminded me of a local cable access show weather forecaster who did the weather for many years on the cable systems in the Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Running Springs area. Of course, I am talking about Tom Hemphill and Community News and Weather. Tom was always wearing a plaid shirt and used the charts just like Dr. George did in this clip. He also showed the barometer sometimes (very boring). At least I know that he was not the only one behind the times.
Heh heh heh. I love the low-tech weather data board that Dr. George had to manually turn to display to the audience. There are times when I miss the mostly analogue world. =)
Dr. Georege was a one off! Just one of the best pesonalities ever on TV. He is one person who should never be forgot. Sure, it`s easy to do the forecast in LA, but he gave us so much more and got everyone interested in the science behind weather.
Kriski, Rubinstein, Raines, Coleman and lets include that woman on Fox11 early morning newscast, not hold a candle on Dr. George. At least you get a science lesson w/Dr. George.
Most of these gals and guys you see now are aspiring actresses or comedians.
Well, thanks for posting... I did a search for Dr. George hoping a clip was posted. The KABC weather came on about 11:10, and when it was over, it was time for bed.
I'm sorry today's news broadcast aren't as "sincere" ... they all seem to be fashion shows and gossip sessions.
George and Jerry- what a team! George a quack??? His main goal was to get the weather to you, unlike current clowns who want to show off their artificial tans and fancy wardrobes.
Also, Jerry's chair was "bigger" because it was an orthopedic chair for his back problems.
Thanks for sharing and bringing back some memories! It took him a while to give the weather, but he was one of the more entertaining weathermen that I have seen. :o)
I watched "Dr George Fischbeck" when I was a kid living in L.A.. I attend St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM. I was glad to know that Dr. Fischbeck was once a member of this church. He is still in our church's address book.
Good stuff! Just the way I remember him...and certainly an influence in my early interest in weather, eventually moving on to become a tv met. Tough to be "really" interested in weather growing up in SoCal, but he made it!
I came across this video today. February of 1980 we had big storms. I am fairly certain I produced this newscast. The reason Dr. George received so much time was due to the huge downpours. On one day in Feb, 1980, the local 6 p.m. news received a 22 rating, not share, rating.. because of the floods.. the General Manager of the station came to the newsroom and shook my hand for that one.. of course I gave Dr. George a lot of time!
Oh, yes...I remember the rains of 1980. I was in 10th grade and had to ride my bike to school for about four miles in it. Needless to say, I was pretty soaked when I got to school. These weathercasts look so old compared to the computer graphics they use today. Dr. George really got into his weather reports, that's for sure.
I just loved watching Dr. George! He made the weather interesting to everyone! He made the news worth watching! Thats for this video....oh, those were the days.....
I grew up in Albuquerque, NM and started 1st grade in 1959. From 1st through 6th grade Dr. George was our "science teacher". He had a science show on the local PBS station, Channel 5, and he was a hoot of a teacher. We watched him at least once a week on the old black and white TV in the classroom.
Thanks beatleguigon for posting this,he was one of the most positive things I remember about school.
It's great to see the legendary "Dr. George" in action during KABC's halcyon days. This man was the quintessential uber-weather-nerd, and I say that affectionately. Today this weather segment would be considered far too long and technical. The lack of computers -- those still satellite images -- that white pointer. All from a bygone era.
Not to mention that they'd never hire Dr. George nowadays because, well, he's just not... telegenic. But... wow. He had to draw that entire damn weather map by hand every night, possibly every broadcast if things changed.
I had to laugh when he mentioned the 72 hour forecast being too far off to accurately protect. Thank you, Cray computers...
This is some amazing footage you have. My father "Arnie" used to work on the KABC newscast as a camera operator and teleprompter technician in those days. Sometimes, I got to go to work with him and see the news being made live. Great to see this here.
I was going to guess around February. I remember that storm well, I was in Anaheim on Ball Road and my car almost floated when a LCTD bus went past me and the wave made my car bob in the water. Crazy time, I miss Dr George.
wow, look at all the old school weather forecasting. you look at it then and look at it now. huge change. from chalk boards to large flat panel screens.
pinball86442 2 months ago
Dr.George is a volunteer docent at the L.A. Zoo,god love him!
JJF10101957 2 months ago 3
Dr. George Fishbeck ain't got nothin' on me...Tom Waits
1rewjr 3 months ago
Back in the day when being a weather man was the real deal.
Zeppelintroll69 4 months ago
Those were the dayz Christine Lund, Dr. George and Jerry Dunphy R.I.P.
kaoicdjsmixes 9 months ago
Jerry Dunphy, Christine Lund and Dr. George, CLASSIC!!!
MrMegaFredzeppelin 11 months ago
@MrMegaFredzeppelin That IS a classic. 1980 was the first full year I was living in North Hollywood, and I'd switch to different news channels (L.A. had a lot of great channels giving the news), but I've always liked Eyewitness News on Channel 7. Dr George was fun to watch, and I liked Jerry Dunphy too. Christine Lund was a great newscaster as well.
Takes me back to the good ol' days :)
1962drob 2 months ago
I was 14 then and loved to watch his forecast,notice the writing in chalk.
MrMegaFredzeppelin 11 months ago
I just watch the clip here and it brought back memories of my youth when I started to watch Channel 7 news I miss Dr. George hope hes' doing well
mrvolcher1 1 year ago
As a wee child, I once met Dr. George in the parking lot of a liquor store on the eastern edge of Hollywood. He was energetic and friendly, and was quick to open his car trunk and hand me a bunch of Dr. George Fischbeck pins/buttons. I wish I still had one of them today. What a memorable character!
russofamerica 1 year ago
Yes - I love Dr George -- great weather ---
nordello65 1 year ago
Dr. George Fischbeck ain't got nothin' on me.
veudasaudade 1 year ago
Thanks so much for this, I have fond memories of watching this guy growing up in the 80s, and it was great to see him again. Seems like a pretty representative slice of his style!
anazgnos 1 year ago
I was at the SFV Auto Club today with my father. An elderly man in a T-shirt, and black glasses was standing in line, and I joked, "Looks like Dr.George". As the man turned, his shirt had DR GEORGE letters pressed on it like from those T-shirt shops in the 70's. He was with his wife, and they both looked happy and healthy. He kept making conversations with other people, and his voice and mind seemed sharp as ever. He said he was 88; still active locally, and was happy to be recognized. 9/9/2010
CH3CH2OH4U 1 year ago
I saw no chemtrails.
randalljones58 1 year ago
I remember Dr. George..as a kid I would watch the news JUST to see him. His horned rimmed glasses and bow tie were what made him a curious item on TV at the time. I just moved back to LA, and must admit, I looked for the DR. and miss 'em..
-Ethan Tudor W.
azkaban777 1 year ago
True story: I called KABC when I was 13 to ask Dr. George Fishbeck for help with my science project on the ozone layer. Left a message for him and about three hours later he called me back and answered my questions for about 15 minutes. Incredibly kind and sweet man. And I got an A- !
thirtyhelens 1 year ago 2
This is great, thanks for bring back the memories
vermontviking 1 year ago
I Like Pete Giddings, Dr. George, Spencer Christian and Joel Bartlett doing the weather they were the best people on the ABC O&O's
Dook6 2 years ago
My grandpa and I both loved Dr. George. I would religiously watch channel 7 news after school, and remember always enjoying Dr. George's forecasts. My grandpa would always tell me... when you see Dr. George, think of me... 'cause I'm watching too, and I'm thinking of you! Great to see this clip.
Danpgood 2 years ago
This man was an icon (and still is) during my childhood growing up in L.A. To this day, no one can do a weather report like Dr. George. I love this guy. And Jerry and Christine as news anchors were legendary. Those three anchors still stand foremost in my mind as the standard for all news broadcasters. The good old days. A simpler time.
jaypmba 2 years ago
Yes, Southern California really did get rain a looong time ago... I remember!(I miss rain)Dr. George was a unique individual. He was into what he was doing and he knew what he was doing, which is more than I can say for these airhead bimbettes the stations now throw at us who don't even do a good job disguising the fact they don't know anything about the weather. At least they could try to pretend they know what they're talking about, lol!!
calchick82 2 years ago
Wow, Dr. George just like I remember him. This is great! Thanks for posting.
atomicinjun 2 years ago
Thank you so much. You have answered a 20 year question I have had about Tom Wait's Nighthawk's at the Diner "Emotional Weather Forecast". I am not sure... I think Dr. George Fishbeck DID have something on Tom.
unclefishbits 2 years ago
BlueDV 2 years ago
I am Dr. George's spirit people say... Watching him ... I believe it ...
WeatherFails 2 years ago
I loved when Dr. George said "my goodness!" He really enjoyed the things in life that most of us think as mundane.
billgreen85042 2 years ago
god bless whoever posted this. children loved this guy. he tried his luck with kcal from 94-96 but retired due to age. he is reported to volunteer his time at the la zoo in case anyone is wondering
eabde001 2 years ago
From the Desert, to the Sea, To All of Southern California the team of the late Jerry Dunphy, Christine Lund, and George Fishbeck was the greatest. Dr. Fishbeck even went out to the schools to educate students about the weather. All three were class acts.
Superbatfan 2 years ago
ah there he is...The Man...The George...I remember he had given the wrong weather in the Orange Co. area and the viewer called in to the station and told him him that he ruin her fern plant(it rain that day)...and he told her on the air...he apologized and will send her a new plant (he had forecasted it would be hot and sunny)...he was the coolest.I sure do miss him...unlike the news today where they have women who are trying to show their figure and boobs...I can't stand Jackie Johnson on Ch 9
sgtsyl 2 years ago
Dr. George was great, and is greatly missed on the air. I can't imagine he'd even have a shot getting hired today.
KatellaGate 2 years ago
Forecasting was pretty sophisticated for its time considering there were no computer models back then.
mbazell 3 years ago
hehe 72 hour forecasts are pretty much useless NOW in 2009, back in 1980 they were about as useful as a voodoo doll and a Magic 8 ball.
Zoomer30 3 years ago
I just saw Dr. George last year at the Ventura County Fire Department Headquarters--he just "happened" to be driving by. It was a real honor to shake his hand. I grew up watching him.
VKDM8687 3 years ago
holy crap i havent seen this guy in soooooo long! NOW i remember why i always looked forward to the weather when i was a kid. he was so awesome!
williamgatesenson 3 years ago
Ahhhh I remember the good ol' days .. this is fantastic!!!
percy1905 3 years ago
I wonder if you have any complete episodes of AM Los Angeles with Regis Philbin and I wonder if the theme from AM Los Angeles later became the famous theme from "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous" with Robin Leach? Thank you.
srcacc 3 years ago
Sorry, this is all I got.
beatlequigon 3 years ago
I lived in L.A. from 1986-1992 and I remember Dr. George very well. He would be blabbing along all the while the weather data would just keep scrolling on by while he digressed and then he'd read the last bit of weather data and wrap it up. He always digressed and it was very funny. Dr. George is still with us... I think he is 86! Happy retirement days Dr. George!
backbeatzbob 3 years ago
Grew up on watching these people. I like the low-end desks and chalkboards. It was a simpler time. I can only imagine what people are gonna say about the newscasts of today 25 years from now "Oh, those graphics are so old-school, look at what they called high definition at the time"
taraniso 3 years ago
I ran into this guy today. He was walking his dog. I tried to explain who he was to my kids. Thanks for posting this on YT!
waljock 3 years ago
old skool temperture
pimp90650 3 years ago
Wow!
Was TV news ever this primitive? That newsroom! Those graphics! That chart!! AAIIEEE!!!
JeffGannon 3 years ago
As a child, Dr. George was my hero and sparked my interest in weather. He was a genuine science teacher on this show. I was always excited when stormy weather was in the neighborhood. I used to have a rain bucket, anemometer, barometer, and a wet/dry bulb thermometer kit from Radio shack. He will always be remembered.
ansgallina 3 years ago
George Fishback & John Coleman are 2 of the best weathermen ever!!!! Both from ABC!!! Thank you for posting this..
DavidYakima 3 years ago
That room looks so cosey.
RaptorFarmer 3 years ago
The Dr. George weather forecast reminded me of a local cable access show weather forecaster who did the weather for many years on the cable systems in the Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Running Springs area. Of course, I am talking about Tom Hemphill and Community News and Weather. Tom was always wearing a plaid shirt and used the charts just like Dr. George did in this clip. He also showed the barometer sometimes (very boring). At least I know that he was not the only one behind the times.
Superbatfa 3 years ago
The CATV headend of old "Falcon Cable" of Rim Of The World areas was lost in the fires of 2003 :-(
ChrisMew2 3 years ago
Heh heh heh. I love the low-tech weather data board that Dr. George had to manually turn to display to the audience. There are times when I miss the mostly analogue world. =)
stringhawke 3 years ago
Dr. Georege was a one off! Just one of the best pesonalities ever on TV. He is one person who should never be forgot. Sure, it`s easy to do the forecast in LA, but he gave us so much more and got everyone interested in the science behind weather.
oldphoque 4 years ago 9
Long live Dr. George!
TerryT1976 4 years ago 6
@TerryT1976 Loved Dr. George & his forecasting!!!
DavidYakima 2 months ago
Kriski, Rubinstein, Raines, Coleman and lets include that woman on Fox11 early morning newscast, not hold a candle on Dr. George. At least you get a science lesson w/Dr. George.
Most of these gals and guys you see now are aspiring actresses or comedians.
ButterflyOne1223 4 years ago 2
Dr George Fishbeck has a personality similar to KGO's Pete Giddings
sky1beam 4 years ago
Thanks! I met the good doctor at my school once...he was da man!
chknmnkey 4 years ago
George was the man! This takes me back to when I was a child glued to the TV, waiting for the weather reports, especially during El Nino years.
rettrovision 4 years ago
Well, thanks for posting... I did a search for Dr. George hoping a clip was posted. The KABC weather came on about 11:10, and when it was over, it was time for bed.
I'm sorry today's news broadcast aren't as "sincere" ... they all seem to be fashion shows and gossip sessions.
KatellaGate 4 years ago
George and Jerry- what a team! George a quack??? His main goal was to get the weather to you, unlike current clowns who want to show off their artificial tans and fancy wardrobes.
Also, Jerry's chair was "bigger" because it was an orthopedic chair for his back problems.
OjaiRoy 4 years ago
Thanks for sharing and bringing back some memories! It took him a while to give the weather, but he was one of the more entertaining weathermen that I have seen. :o)
hsghsgha 4 years ago
I watched "Dr George Fischbeck" when I was a kid living in L.A.. I attend St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM. I was glad to know that Dr. Fischbeck was once a member of this church. He is still in our church's address book.
kellybob1966 4 years ago
Good stuff! Just the way I remember him...and certainly an influence in my early interest in weather, eventually moving on to become a tv met. Tough to be "really" interested in weather growing up in SoCal, but he made it!
pacificavoiceworks 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Yeah, I remember this quack.
cvjucla3 4 years ago
I came across this video today. February of 1980 we had big storms. I am fairly certain I produced this newscast. The reason Dr. George received so much time was due to the huge downpours. On one day in Feb, 1980, the local 6 p.m. news received a 22 rating, not share, rating.. because of the floods.. the General Manager of the station came to the newsroom and shook my hand for that one.. of course I gave Dr. George a lot of time!
pegfan 4 years ago 2
Oh, yes...I remember the rains of 1980. I was in 10th grade and had to ride my bike to school for about four miles in it. Needless to say, I was pretty soaked when I got to school. These weathercasts look so old compared to the computer graphics they use today. Dr. George really got into his weather reports, that's for sure.
MrMemories 4 years ago
Has anyone noticed that Jerry's chair was bigger than Christine's?
lviefortoday 4 years ago
Dr. George did work at KCBS for a time in the 90's.
mbhfromla 4 years ago
I just loved watching Dr. George! He made the weather interesting to everyone! He made the news worth watching! Thats for this video....oh, those were the days.....
Zooluu59 4 years ago
I grew up in Albuquerque, NM and started 1st grade in 1959. From 1st through 6th grade Dr. George was our "science teacher". He had a science show on the local PBS station, Channel 5, and he was a hoot of a teacher. We watched him at least once a week on the old black and white TV in the classroom.
Thanks beatleguigon for posting this,he was one of the most positive things I remember about school.
elenalb 4 years ago
This is like watching an SCTV sketch. I almost get the impression that's Martin Short playing Dr. Fishbeck.
BigSCTVfan 4 years ago
It's great to see the legendary "Dr. George" in action during KABC's halcyon days. This man was the quintessential uber-weather-nerd, and I say that affectionately. Today this weather segment would be considered far too long and technical. The lack of computers -- those still satellite images -- that white pointer. All from a bygone era.
jaybee1973jaybee 4 years ago
Not to mention that they'd never hire Dr. George nowadays because, well, he's just not... telegenic. But... wow. He had to draw that entire damn weather map by hand every night, possibly every broadcast if things changed.
I had to laugh when he mentioned the 72 hour forecast being too far off to accurately protect. Thank you, Cray computers...
teotwawki69 4 years ago
This is some amazing footage you have. My father "Arnie" used to work on the KABC newscast as a camera operator and teleprompter technician in those days. Sometimes, I got to go to work with him and see the news being made live. Great to see this here.
lasvegas77 4 years ago
Reminds me of Art Fern...
gli7utubeo 4 years ago
This is from 2/20/80.
wxtulsa 4 years ago
I was going to guess around February. I remember that storm well, I was in Anaheim on Ball Road and my car almost floated when a LCTD bus went past me and the wave made my car bob in the water. Crazy time, I miss Dr George.
Postie1 4 years ago
Where's the Five Day Forecast
Bloggosphere 4 years ago
sorry, the tape ended.
beatlequigon 4 years ago