Al Roker always dreamed of working in animation. ‘Weather Hunters’ makes it a reality

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As a youngster, I was captivated by the world of animation. My Saturdays were enchanted by Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner, and I spent countless hours immersed in Preston Blair’s book on cartoon drawing techniques, harboring dreams of one day becoming an animator for Disney. However, life took a different turn as I found myself donning the weatherman hat on “Today.” Yet, my passion for weather and animation never waned. I envisioned a children’s TV series that seamlessly blended these two passions, and eventually, I managed to bring that idea to fruition.

Weather Hunters,” debuting on PBS Kids on Monday, tells the story of 8-year-old Lily Hunter (Tandi Fomukong) and her siblings, Benny (Lorenzo Ross) and Corky (Kapri Ladd), who explore weather phenomena with their parents, Dot (Holly Robinson Peete) and Al (Roker). The characters are modeled after Roker’s real-life children: Courtney, Leila, and Nick. Remarkably, in a blend of reality and fiction, Roker portrays Al Hunter, a local weatherman who loves to tell corny dad jokes.

As a dedicated cinephile, I find myself utterly captivated – it’s as if every cherished aspect of my life has harmoniously intertwined. This cinematic masterpiece mirrors the essence of my upbringing; it echoes the unwavering support my parents bestowed upon their children and our dreams.

Roker has been working on the show ever since his own children grew up to be around the same age as the Hunter kids in the series. He chuckles and remarks, ‘Patience is rewarded.’

According to Sara DeWitt, senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids, this project truly ignites his passion. It’s delightful for us to work with someone so enthusiastic about inspiring children about our world.

Expanding its programming, PBS Kids introduced a series focused on weather investigation. As DeWitt explains, weather significantly impacts children’s daily lives, raising questions like ‘What should I wear today?’ or ‘Why does thunder occur?’ These queries presented numerous opportunities for engaging families and fostering interest in the scientific subject.

Throughout the initial 10 episodes, which will be available digitally on PBS Kids upon its debut, Lily and her family embark on an exploration of various weather phenomena such as fog, clouds, autumn leaves, thunderstorms, snowfall, and the shifting rocks in the desert. Sara Sweetman, a professor at the University of Rhode Island, serves as the educational advisor for this series. As she explains, “Weather is engaging material because it directly relates to children’s everyday lives. They comprehend its significance and how it affects them.

Even though weather science might appear simple at first glance, it can rapidly become intricate. According to Sweetman, there’s always a key takeaway from each episode he creates. The goal is for children to watch the show and then excitedly share with their parents or guardians one clear concept they learned, making complex ideas easy to understand and discuss.

In every 22-minute episode since the beginning, Sweetman has been fully engaged right from the initial scene. As she explains, “The optimal scenario for educational content is when we strike the learning point simultaneously with the emotional peak of the narrative.” Studies show that when this alignment occurs, children not only comprehend the message but also retain it.

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In a delightful turn of events, Dot’s voice actor, Peete, has been longtime friends with Roker. Peete, whose father, Matthew Robinson Jr., was the original Gordon on “Sesame Street,” found starring in a series produced by Roker, particularly Hallmark’s “Morning Show Mysteries” based on Roker’s novels, to be a profoundly meaningful experience – a sort of completion of a circle for her. As she reflects, “PBS meant so much to me.” She continues, “It’s one thing for your dad to appear on television. It’s another for him to star in what many consider the best children’s TV show ever. I wish my dad could see that I am now acting on PBS, working alongside Roker on shows with a similar focus on education and entertainment.” She expresses that her father would undoubtedly be incredibly proud of her carrying forward this legacy of children’s programming.

In simpler terms, Dete Meserve, who’s both the executive producer and showrunner, states that using animation enables the series, designed for kids aged 5 to 8, to incorporate imaginative elements such as the Vansformer – a flying mobile weather station – while also providing scientific explanations based on reality. An episode about clouds, for instance, clarifies that although Benny can’t see the sun hidden behind the clouds, it remains there.

According to Meserve, all children possess the essence of a scientist within them. Interestingly, the main character in this series is a curious young girl with a passion for science. As Meserve explains, “If she can see it, she can be it.” Surrounding her are her siblings who also show an interest in science, but their approaches differ. For instance, Corky enjoys filming and documenting scientific phenomena, while Benny is the artistic one, preferring to draw his observations.

The program aims to demystify weather events such as hurricanes and thunderstorms for children by delving into the scientific explanations behind them. As Roker explains, “We’re breaking down what they are and how they function.” This approach empowers kids to understand their environment better, addressing questions like “What can we do as a family to prepare?”, “How can we safeguard ourselves?”, and “How can we ensure our safety?”.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ll be delving into the series, constantly developing theories and putting them to the test to see if the storylines align with my initial thoughts. Just as Al Roker mentioned, these are the very elements that I believe the show does exceptionally well – fostering critical thinking skills in kids, which they can carry forward as they grow older.

He too wishes for children to carry an appreciation for the authentic splendor of weather, as he expresses, “there’s truly a captivating enchantment all around us,” and it is rooted in scientific principles.

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2025-09-07 19:02