The Weather Channel Will Begin Broadcasting Feature Films

In the "What Fresh Hell is This Department," the Weather Channel apparently is getting away from all the miserable weather coming our way over the winter and they're going to do the right thing. That's right, they're going to show movies. Movies. On the Weather Channel. Movies. Is it any coincidence that "Misery" is one of them? I think not.

Below is the full press release. Try to read it with a straight face. Hilarious! "The Perfect Storm" is their first movie!



THE WEATHER CHANNEL ADDS FEATURE FILMS TO NETWORK SCHEDULE

New Movie Series “The Weather Channel Presents…” Launches October 30 with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg in The Perfect Storm

ATLANTA (October 20, 2009) – For the first time in its 27-year history, The Weather Channel® (TWC) will add movies to its programming schedule with “The Weather Channel Presents…” This new movie series launches Friday, October 30, with the TWC premiere of The Perfect Storm, starring George Clooney, which coincides with the anniversary of the ferocious “perfect storm” of 1991, on which the movie was based.

Following The Perfect Storm on Oct. 30, TWC will air feature films every Friday night in November. Weather plays a central role to the story, plot or overall theme in each of the movies selected.

TWC meteorologist Jen Carfagno will host the new series, introducing each film and providing relevant commentary.

“From the Nor’easter in The Perfect Storm to the tornado that takes Dorothy to Oz, weather has a long history as a film star,” said Geoffrey Darby, executive vice president of programming for The Weather Channel. “Adding films to our Friday night lineup is a great way for us to further demonstrate how weather is an all-encompassing part of our lives that entertains and inspires us.”

“The Weather Channel Presents…” will feature the following movies:

The Perfect Storm – Premieres Friday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. ET (18-year anniversary of the “perfect storm” on which movie was based)

* Based on actual events and Sebastian Junger’s best-selling book, this dramatic story chronicles a group of Gloucester fishermen on their vessel’s ill-fated journey into the North Atlantic, as they ignore warnings of a monster storm brewing with winds at 50-60 knots. Their captain, played by George Clooney, tries his best to save his crew and battle the fiercest storm of the 20th century. The film also stars Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane and John C. Reilly.

* March of the Penguins – Premieres Friday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m. ET

The 2006 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature, this beautiful story narrated by Morgan Freeman chronicles the heroic, harrowing journey by emperor penguins amid subfreezing temperatures and violent snowstorms at the South Pole in order to hatch a new generation.

* Misery – Premieres Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. ET

When novelist Paul Sheldon, played by James Caan, crashes his car during a blinding snowstorm, he ends up writing to stay alive when “rescued” by obsessed fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates in an Academy Award-winning role), who is less than hospitable when she finds out he has killed off her favorite character.

* Deep Blue Sea – Premieres Friday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. ET

A group of medical researchers finds themselves stranded aboard a remote marine laboratory working with genetically enhanced Mako sharks. With a tropical storm swirling around the now-sinking lab, the mutant sharks strike back at those who used them as lab rats. This action thriller stars Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J.

During “The Weather Channel Presents…,” viewers will continue to receive their localized weather forecasts throughout the film, where it can be seen on the lower portion of the screen in addition to any severe weather alerts or warnings.

To learn more about the series and other TWC programming, visit www.weather.com/tv.