Citizen Staff
By ELAINE GALE
egale@tucsoncitizen.com
CORRECTION (3/8/03)
- A photograph of KGUN-TV Channel 9 weatherman Michael Goodrich in Thursday’s Living section was from Tucson Citizen’s archives and not taken when he retired last month.
Moody weather made great fodder for veteran weathercaster Michael Goodrich in his final week at KGUN-TV Channel 9, although he says all weather is rife with drama and interesting particulars – even in parched Arizona.
“There are no boring weather days, just boring weather people,” said Goodrich, 63, who left last weekend for a sailing trip after his final on-air confetti toss Feb. 28.
This time, Goodrich said, his retirement from television is “for good.”
His first foray into retirement was in 1998, when he left Tucson for Oklahoma after 21 years of cultivating a reputation as a wry weathercaster for KVOA-TV Channel 4. He delivered Tucson’s predictable forecasts with panache.
“I had the chance to come back and make some money,” he said of returning to Tucson for his final professional stint at KGUN. “One usually doesn’t say no to money.”
But Goodrich said money wasn’t the only motivation for his return.
“Serving the public was a very satisfying thing for me. Making something interesting is always difficult. It takes a lot of creativity and energy output.”
Former television talk-show host Johnny Carson, the former Nebraskan who found success with “The Tonight Show,” was a huge influence and role model, Goodrich said.
“He knew how to take every evening and turn it into a worthwhile event,” said Goodrich. “No matter what, I never wanted the audience to say I wasted their time.”
Goodrich intends to relax and just enjoy – instead of predict and explain – Tucson’s weather.
“I’m going to be messing around and pursuing some hobbies,” said Goodrich, who will start with a love of radio-controlled model airplanes.
“I’ve had a wonderful, successful career, thanks to the supportive citizens of Tucson.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Citizen file photo
CUTLINE: Michael Goodrich tosses confetti into the air for the final time as KGUN-TV, Channel 9 weatherman. (photo taken in 1998 when Goodrich retired from KVOA)