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Tex Antoine
Tex Antoine
Tex Antoine
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Herbert John Antoine Jr. (April 21, 1923 – January 12, 1983), known professionally as Tex Antoine, was an American weatherman on New York City television for nearly three decades. He also served for many years as a radio announcer.

Key Information

Early life and career

[edit]

Antoine was born Herbert John Antoine Jr., in Evanston, Illinois, and was raised in California and Texas.[1] His father was Herbert Jon Antoine Sr. (1894–1972), an auto supply salesman.[2] His mother was Bertha Campbell, and by 1930 the family was living in Los Angeles.[3][4]

Antoine (whose nickname "Tex" came from his growing up in Texas) first joined NBC in New York as a page in 1943, and a year later became a staff announcer for the network. He was the first announcer, beginning in 1944, for the long-running religious drama The Eternal Light. His run with the program ended in 1945.[5] His other radio announcing credits include The Adventures of Archie Andrews and The Adventures of Frank Merriwell.[6] In the mid-1950s he was sometimes recruited as announcer for the NBC network's College Quiz Bowl series.

The WNBT / WRCA-TV / WNBC years (1949–1966)

[edit]

Antoine began his weather career in 1949 on WNBT (later WRCA-TV, now WNBC), working with a cartoon sidekick known as "Uncle Wethbee"[7] (sometimes misspelled "Uncle Weatherbee").

Antoine's theme music was "Fine and Dandy." Originally, Antoine used several records to reflect the weather of the day. ("Stormy Weather," "Let it Snow", etc.) However, all of the records but one became damaged or broken and he was left with "Fine and Dandy". The theme served him for years.

According to a reminiscence by Bob Tilden, Antoine's nightly weather report "was a wonderful mix of weather, cartoon art, and storytelling. He would start his weather segment standing next to an easel covered by blank papers, and he would proceed to draw the weather systems that were pertinent to the nation and the area. As his hands drew in the lows, highs, and fronts, his voice would narrate their past and expected movements, and what their effects would be. As he filled page after page of the easel, building the map as he described each feature, he engaged his audience. He instructed the viewers about their weather, rather than just informing them of a forecast."[8]

Antoine also entertained viewers during each report by writing the temperature in large numerals on his big blank pad, then embellishing with the marker as his weather narrative proceeded until the numeral had finally become part of a whimsical cartoon illustrating some facet of the day's weather or forecast.

To WABC-TV

[edit]

In 1966, Antoine moved from WNBC to WABC-TV[9] to report the weather during newscasts anchored by Scott Vincent. Antoine was not allowed to plug his new home on his final channel 4 broadcast. So, with Uncle Wethbee's Magic Marker in hand, he said and wrote something to the effect of: "Remember that 4 plus 3 equals 7, and that's as easy as ABC."

In 1968, WABC-TV revamped all its newscasts under the banner of Eyewitness News.[10] Its new news director, Al Primo, decreed that all the newscast's on-camera talent would wear matching blue blazers with a "circle 7" crest displayed on their jacket pockets. When Antoine, who up to that point wore smocks on the air, protested that it would affect his image, Primo retorted (as recounted in 1974 by sportswriter Frank Deford), "Either everybody wears blazers or everybody wears smocks."[11] Antoine would thereafter wear a blazer on the air.

Rape quip and final years

[edit]

On November 24, 1976, on the 6 p.m. broadcast, Antoine's weather report immediately followed a story about the attempted rape of an eight-year-old girl.[3][12] Antoine thereupon quipped: "With rape so predominant in the news lately, it is well to remember the words of Confucius: 'If rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it'."

Within 25 minutes of the comment, the station received 665 calls from mostly irate viewers about Antoine's insensitive comment. Despite the on-air apology, WABC wasted no time suspending Antoine. Roger Grimsby and Bill Beutel led the 11 p.m. newscast that night with the official apology from WABC-TV. After the station apology, another 450 calls were made, including a quarter in favor of not suspending Antoine after making the on-air apology.[13] The comment was not the first occurrence of controversial remarks by Antoine. In February 1974, over 100 calls were sent in for the broadcaster using a profanity on an open microphone.[14] A day later, network executives hinted that they would probably forgive Antoine for the controversial remark.[15]

With Antoine off the air, weatherman Storm Field became the evening weather forecaster. Grimsby, introducing Storm Field, quipped "Lie back, relax, and enjoy the weather with Storm Field." While the reaction to Grimsby's statement was not as severe as Antoine's, the impact of the statement offended women as well. The newspapers noted that Ellen Bradley, a rape victim and a secretary at the station, wrote Grimsby a stern note about making such a comment on air.[16]

On December 2, 1976, while Antoine was on a no-pay vacation in the United States Virgin Islands island of St. Thomas, it was reported that ABC executives told Antoine that he would not lose his job.[17] Despite this report, a week later, WABC told the press that no final decision had been made. Protests were being held in front of the ABC headquarters from the National Organization for Women (NOW), who demanded that Antoine be fired.[18] The decision was announced on December 18 to reinstate Antoine in a non-televised role. Instead of forecasting on television, he would assist Storm Field (who was hired in March 1976[19]) with forecast production.[20] However, his contract expired in March 1977 and was not renewed by the station.[21]

Antoine closed out his career in 1978 with a brief stint as weatherman for WNEW-TV.[22][23]

Personal life

[edit]

Antoine married Suzannah C. Glidden in summer 1965. He died at his Park Avenue apartment in 1983 at age 59.[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tex Antoine

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from Grokipedia
Herbert John "Tex" Antoine Jr. (April 21, 1923 – January 12, 1983) was an American television meteorologist best known for his pioneering use of cartoon illustrations and humorous characters, such as Uncle Wethbee, in weather broadcasts on stations including and . Beginning his broadcasting career as an in 1941 and transitioning to radio announcing by 1942, Antoine entered television weather reporting in 1949 at WNBT (later ), where his engaging, illustrated style made him one of the most popular forecasters in the region for nearly three decades. He received an Emmy Award in 1961 for outstanding local TV personality and continued at from 1966 until 1977, when he was fired following a controversial on-air quip after a news report on the attempted of an 8-year-old , in which he attributed to the idea that under certain circumstances one might have no choice but to "enjoy being raped," prompting over 650 protest calls and his indefinite suspension. A brief return to WNEW-TV in 1978 lasted only 10 months before his discharge, marking the end of his on-air career; he died of natural causes in at age 59.

Early Life

Birth, Family, and Upbringing

Herbert Jon Antoine Jr., professionally known as Tex Antoine, was born on April 21, 1923, in . His father, Herbert Jon Antoine Sr., worked as a traveling salesman, peddling items ranging from vacuum cleaners to used cars but achieving little financial success. His mother was a schoolteacher often seen with books at hand. The family endured poverty amid the , periodically residing in a Franklin due to economic constraints. Antoine attended high school near , , where his experiences contributed to the nickname "Tex" that he later adopted professionally. During his youth, he developed an interest in theater through a summer in , and participated in the boxing program.

Education and Initial Career Steps

Antoine was born Herbert Jon Antoine Jr. in , in 1923 to a struggling salesman father and teacher mother amid the , during which the family briefly lived in a Franklin Touring car. He attended high school near , and developed an interest in through a summer theater in . No records indicate postsecondary education or formal meteorological training. In 1941, Antoine began his broadcasting career at in New York as a tour guide. He advanced to full-time radio announcer by 1942 and, after , took on roles in 1945 including member of a three-person on-air news team, announcer for a , and commercial reader. These experiences at positioned him to enter television weather reporting in 1949 at WNBC-TV (previously WNBT), where he initially served as a guide and announcer before delivering forecasts without meteorological credentials.

Broadcasting Career

NBC Years at WNBT/WRCA/WNBC (1949–1966)

Tex Antoine joined 's WNBT (later WRCA-TV and -TV, ) in 1949 as its first television weatherman, transitioning from a staff announcer role. Midweek in early 1949, station executives tasked him with developing a program to air by the following Monday, leading to his debut on January 17, 1949. Lacking formal meteorological training, Antoine relied on visual aids and humor rather than scientific expertise. Antoine's format featured live drawings on a smock-clad presentation and the introduction of Uncle Wethbee, a stick-figure constructed from an orange crate, adorned with interchangeable eyes, mustaches, and ties to illustrate weather conditions. Uncle Wethbee served to deflect blame for inaccurate forecasts, appearing with a during poor predictions. His broadcasts, aired weekdays at 11:10 P.M. and sponsored by , emphasized entertainment with dry wit and folksy delivery, setting a precedent for engaging, non-technical weather segments. By the mid-1950s, Antoine had become New York City's most viewed weatherman, earning an Emmy Award in 1961 for outstanding local television personality. His tenure lasted 17 years until a 1966 contract dispute over salary and terms prompted his departure; declined to match WABC-TV's offer, and his final broadcast occurred in early March before transitioning to the competitor.

Transition to WABC-TV and Eyewitness News (1966–1976)

In March 1966, after 17 years at , Antoine transitioned to (Channel 7), where the station offered a higher salary amid its struggles to compete with and affiliates in local ratings. sought to leverage Antoine's established popularity as a folksy, cartoon-assisted weatherman to attract viewers, while had shifted to a more formal , Dr. Frank Field. Initially, Antoine delivered weather segments during newscasts anchored by Scott Vincent, maintaining his signature warm delivery and occasional use of illustrated maps, though without the full cartoon character integration of his prior role. The launch of WABC's format on November 17, 1968, under news director Al Primo marked a pivotal shift, introducing a casual "happy talk" style with conversational banter among anchors like and reporters standing at assignment desks. Antoine integrated seamlessly as the station's entertaining weatherman, contributing to the program's emphasis on personality-driven segments that boosted viewership; by the early 1970s, had propelled WABC to the top of New York ratings. He adapted his presentation by trading his traditional smock for blazers in 1967 and reducing reliance on the Uncle Weatherbee character, favoring a rhythmic, jazz-like suited to the format's informal tone. Antoine's segments remained a viewer draw through the mid-1970s, highlighted by a 1972 on-air remark about the Olympics that drew criticism but prompted a quick apology, and a 1974 special honoring his 25 years in with a 10-minute video. In 1974, he relinquished the 11 p.m. slot to concentrate on the 6 p.m. newscast, solidifying his role in the program's core team amid its national influence on local TV news.

Innovations in Weather Forecasting Delivery

Tex Antoine revolutionized delivery through his pioneering use of live on-air illustrations and a sidekick character, Uncle Wethbee, which he introduced during his early career at in 1949 and continued at from 1966 onward. Standing before an easel with blank sheets of paper, Antoine sketched weather maps, fronts, and conditions in real time using a marker, transforming static data into engaging visual narratives that captivated audiences. This hands-on drawing technique, derived from meteorological reports phoned in from the weather bureau, allowed for immediate customization and added a performative element to broadcasts, predating widespread use of pre-rendered graphics. Central to his approach was Uncle Wethbee, a wooden stick-figure whom Antoine animated with interchangeable props—such as cut-out eyes, mustaches, ties, toupees for cool weather, for cold snaps, or a stocking cap for icy conditions—to visually cue forecast elements and humorously shoulder blame for inaccuracies, often depicted with a after erroneous predictions. Antoine further innovated by developing a complex of weather symbols integrated into Wethbee's cartoons, distributing free pamphlets to educate viewers on decoding these visuals, which enhanced public comprehension and interaction with forecasts. At WABC-TV's , Antoine's style aligned with the format's emphasis on visual storytelling, where he embellished temperature readings with artistic flourishes on his pad and maintained a warm, witty delivery that prioritized entertainment alongside accuracy, drawing large audiences through relatable, theatrical presentations rather than rote recitation. This method extended to , including Uncle Wethbee coloring books and almanacs, fostering viewer engagement beyond the screen and establishing as a trailblazer in making accessible and enjoyable for families.

The 1976 Controversy

The On-Air Remark

On November 24, 1976, during the 6:00 p.m. edition of WABC-TV's in , weatherman Tex Antoine made an impromptu remark immediately following a brief update on an attempted of an 8-year-old girl in . The news segment, aired just before a report and Antoine's weather forecast, described the girl's narrow escape from her assailant, setting the immediate context for his comment. Antoine, transitioning into his segment, attributed to a flippant adage implying resignation to : under certain circumstances, there was no choice but to enjoy it. A contemporaneous account specifies the phrasing as: "With so predominant in the news lately, it is well to remember the words of : 'If is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it.'" This remark, delivered in Antoine's characteristic casual style amid his cartoon-illustrated weather delivery, was not scripted but extemporaneous, reflecting his off-the-cuff persona honed over decades in . The comment aired live to WABC's metropolitan audience without immediate interruption, as the broadcast proceeded to the weather maps and forecasts for the following day. Station logs and viewer recollections later confirmed its placement directly after the crime update, underscoring the tonal disconnect from the preceding report's gravity. No prior on-air incidents of similar nature had marred Antoine's tenure at WABC, though he had faced viewer complaints in 1974 for a separate remark deemed offensive.

Suspension and Immediate Response

Following a Eyewitness News segment on November 24, 1976, detailing the attempted of a five-year-old girl in suburban New York, Tex Antoine transitioned to his weather forecast by stating, "With so predominant in the news lately, it is well to remember the words of : 'If is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it.'" The remark, invoking a longstanding but controversial adage often misattributed to , was delivered in Antoine's characteristic folksy style but immediately drew internal alarm at . Station executives, led by vice president and general manager Kenneth H. MacQueen, responded the next day, November 25, 1976, by suspending Antoine indefinitely without pay, citing the comment's insensitivity amid heightened public sensitivity to in the post-1960s era. The suspension was announced publicly that evening, with WABC emphasizing that the remark violated professional standards for on-air conduct, particularly in light of recent high-profile cases covered in the news. No immediate on-air rebuttal or substitute forecast commentary was provided by the station, though production staff reportedly expressed shock during the . Antoine himself offered no public statement or apology in the hours following the incident, with reports indicating he was informed of the suspension privately by management later that day. The swift action reflected WABC's prioritization of advertiser relations and audience trust, as had built its dominance on relatable yet responsible local reporting.

Public Backlash, Defenses, and Historical Context

The remark by Tex Antoine on November 24, 1976, immediately provoked widespread public outrage, particularly from advocates who viewed it as victim-blaming and dismissive of against a child. Viewers flooded with complaints, prompting the station to suspend Antoine indefinitely the following day, citing the comment's insensitivity following a segment on an attempted of a five-year-old girl in . Feminist groups and media critics condemned the statement as emblematic of broader societal attitudes that minimized , amplifying calls for accountability in . Defenses of Antoine were limited but centered on contextualizing the remark as an ill-advised attempt at dark humor rather than endorsement of violence, reflecting a pre-backlash era where off-color jokes about sensitive topics occasionally aired without immediate repercussions. Some observers, including later retrospective analyses, argued the reaction exemplified emerging "" dynamics, where a single gaffe overshadowed a decades-long , though station management prioritized advertiser and viewer relations over such rationales. Antoine's supporters highlighted his otherwise affable persona and innovations in weather presentation, suggesting the incident was an aberration amplified by heightened media scrutiny. This controversy unfolded amid the second-wave feminist movement's peak in the 1970s, when public discourse increasingly challenged rape myths and demanded accountability for language perpetuating victim fault, as evidenced by contemporaneous advocacy for legal reforms like New York's 1974 . Broadcast standards were evolving from the looser norms of earlier decades—where vaudeville-style humor often included risqué elements—to stricter professional ethics influenced by civil rights gains and audience expectations for sensitivity, particularly in urban markets like New York. Mainstream media outlets, including those reporting the backlash, reflected this shift but occasionally exhibited biases in framing, with some contemporary coverage prioritizing sensationalism over nuanced exploration of comedic traditions in male-dominated newsrooms.

Apology, Reinstatement, and Long-Term Effects

Following his controversial on-air remark on November 24, 1976, Antoine immediately apologized during the same 7 p.m. broadcast on , acknowledging the lapse in judgment. The station suspended him indefinitely the next day, citing the comment as "an inexcusable lapse in judgment" amid public complaints. On November 29, , vice president and general manager Kenneth H. MacQueen announced Antoine's reinstatement, stating there were "no plans to fire or terminate Tex" and that a return date would be set soon. Despite the rapid resolution, the station's decision reflected a balance between viewer backlash and Antoine's established popularity as a broadcaster since 1966. The controversy prompted Antoine's departure from shortly thereafter, leading him to join WNEW-TV (Channel 5) in 1977, where he resumed . He continued in the role until 1982, demonstrating resilience in his professional standing despite the incident. Long-term, the remark lingered as a defining element of Antoine's public image, referenced in his 1983 alongside his innovations in cartoon-based forecasting. While it did not immediately derail his career, the event contributed to heightened scrutiny of on-air conduct in local television, foreshadowing stricter standards for broadcasters amid evolving social sensitivities in the late . Antoine's tenure at subsequent stations was shorter than his prior decades-long run at , suggesting residual professional repercussions.

Later Career and Retirement

Post-Controversy Broadcasting (1977–1982)

Following his termination from on March 13, 1977, Antoine secured a position as weatherman at WNEW-TV (Channel 5, now WNYW). He delivered weather reports there from 1977 to 1978, employing his established format of hand-drawn cartoons and folksy commentary to engage viewers. Antoine retired from television broadcasting in 1978 at age 55, concluding a spanning nearly three decades in media. No further on-air appearances are documented for the years 1979 through 1982, during which he resided in .

Personal Life

Marriage and Relationships

Antoine's first marriage ended in divorce prior to 1965. In July 1965, he married Suzannah Castle Glidden, a reporter and former weather presenter at WABC-TV whom he had met while both prepared forecasts at the station. The couple remained married until Antoine's death in 1983. No children from either marriage are documented in available records.

Death and Estate

Tex Antoine died on January 12, 1983, at age 59, in his Park Avenue apartment in New York City. Contemporary obituaries noted his long career in television weather forecasting but provided no details on the cause of death. Public records of Antoine's estate, including any will, proceedings, or inheritance distribution, have not been documented in available sources.

Legacy and Influence

Impact on Television Meteorology

Tex Antoine pioneered an entertaining approach to television in , beginning his career at WNBC-TV in , where he introduced elements to make predictions more engaging for viewers. Lacking formal meteorological training, Antoine relied on his artistic skills, creating a mustachioed sidekick named Uncle Wethbee to visually depict weather conditions through humorous animations and stick-figure illustrations. This method contrasted with the serious, data-heavy presentations common in post-World War II broadcasts, which drew from military-trained meteorologists, and instead emphasized personality and visual storytelling to hold audience attention. By the mid-1950s, Antoine had become New York's most popular weatherman, earning an Emmy Award in for best local TV personality and sustaining high ratings through his wry humor and innovative graphics, such as coloring books featuring Uncle Wethbee distributed to engage children. His transition to in 1966, with a salary over $100,000 annually, further solidified his influence, as stations competed to replicate his crowd-drawing style amid challenges from less substantive "weathergirl" formats. Antoine's success demonstrated that blending entertainment with basic forecasting could attract millions, paving the way for personality-driven segments that prioritized viewer retention over strict scientific rigor in early TV . Antoine's legacy shaped subsequent generations of TV weathermen by establishing the entertainer archetype, influencing figures like , who acknowledged the shift from Antoine's era of whimsical cartoons to modern, technology-enhanced reports. While advancing computer graphics and data visualization later diminished reliance on manual cartoons, his model of infusing broadcasts with charm and accessibility endured, contributing to weather segments' role as staples of with broad appeal. The 1976 controversy surrounding his on-air remark underscored the evolving standards for on-air conduct in , prompting broadcasters to balance humor with sensitivity amid growing public expectations for professionalism.

Cultural Reception and Modern Perspectives

Antoine's on-air persona, characterized by hand-drawn weather maps and the cartoonish Uncle Wethbee, cultivated a devoted following in , positioning him as a pioneering figure in entertaining rather than dry data delivery. His Emmy-winning broadcasts from onward emphasized folksy charm and visual storytelling, drawing tens of millions of viewers weekly and elevating local weather segments to cultural fixtures. This style influenced later broadcasters by demonstrating that personality could sustain audience engagement amid rudimentary forecasting tools. The 1976 rape remark provoked immediate public outrage, with women's groups protesting outside WABC studios and prompting his indefinite suspension, underscoring emerging intolerance for glib commentary on amid rising feminist advocacy. Yet, his swift apology and reinstatement after three weeks reflected era-specific norms prioritizing contrition over permanent exile, as evidenced by continued employment until 1982. Contemporary reflections frame the incident as emblematic of pre-1980s comedic boundaries, where rape-related humor appeared in without universal condemnation, contrasting sharply with post-#MeToo standards that would likely preclude recovery. accounts, including obituaries omitting the gaffe, affirm his enduring reputation as a beloved innovator over the controversy's long-term stain. Modern histories invoke Antoine nostalgically for humanizing science in , though selectively, often sidelining the event to highlight his technical and artistic contributions.

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/13/obituaries/tex-antoine-59-dies-tv-weather-forecaster.html
  2. https://placesnomore.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/tex-antoine-a-career-on-the-air/
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/25/archives/wabc-suspends-tex-antoine-after-a-flippant-remark-on-rape.html
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0031160/
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/1966/02/08/archives/antoine-to-quit-wnbc-for-wabc-after-17-years.html
  6. https://abc7ny.com/post/al-primo-eyewitness-news-dies-death/12280526/
  7. https://cronkitenewslab.com/broadcast/2018/12/19/what-we-can-learn-from-al-primo-inventor-of-eyewitness-news/
  8. https://www.nytimes.com/1951/04/15/archives/fair-land-warmer-saga-behind-the-rise-of-uncle-wethbee-predictions.html
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/04/archives/rainy-days-are-fair-for-weathermen-trying-to-forecast-natures-whims.html
  10. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Tex-Antoine-developed-a-complicated-iconography-to-show-the-weather-through-his-Unk_fig15_44166369
  11. https://melanieanagnos.substack.com/p/whatever-happened-to-rape-jokes
  12. https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/10/09/gop-women-sit-down-shut-and-take/bsB3JQ9jqnH3b1KltrJERK/story.html
  13. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-antoine-suspended-novemb/13856066/?locale=en-US
  14. https://www.newspapers.com/article/13856150/suspended_november_26_1976/
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/27/archives/lawyer-for-antoine-and-wabc-aides-will-meet-monday.html
  16. https://nypost.com/2000/05/26/the-stormy-careers-of-forecasting-folks/
  17. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/29/archives/tex-antoine-to-return-to-wabc-after-last-weeks-suspension.html
  18. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/01/13/Obituaries/8813411282000/
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/18/archives/suzannah-c-glidden-iwed-to-tex-antoine.html
  20. https://alchetron.com/Tex-Antoine
  21. https://envisioningtheamericandream.com/tag/tex-antoine/
  22. https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/how-aviation-shaped-the-tv-weather-report/
  23. https://www.cjr.org/podcast/al-roker-climate-change.php
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/18/arts/television-a-change-in-the-weather.html
  25. https://www.danspapers.com/2019/08/better-than-uncle-weatherby/
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