A Tribute to Jim O'Brien - WPVI 1983 Prime Time Special

WPVI Channel 6 in Philadelphia aired a 30 minute prime-time tribute to Action News Anchor, AccuWeather, and WFIL personality Jim O'Brien on September 26, 1983, one day after his untimely death. The program was hosted by Jim Gardner and announced by Paul Norton.
Features thoughts from Marc Howard, Lisa Thomas-Laury, Scott Palmer, Gary Papa, Chris Wagner, WPVI General Manager Larry Pollack, WPVI News Director Alan Nesbitt, Dave Roberts, Don Tollfeson, Larry Kane, and Jim Gardner. Also presents Jim's appearances on Prime Time, WPVI's public affairs show, and his well-known AccuWeather forecasts as "Jimbo".

[@jennzifur]

*38 years today* Interesting this was recommended to me today. Had been a while since I last saw this. May he RIP.

[@bd764]

Those funny little clouds he used, titled "coupla of cookers", was one of the things I remember from the summer of 78

[@johndonahue5280]

I miss jim O'Brien i remember watching this as a kid with my parents

[@colettenasielski871]

Really Miss Jim O’Brien Really Do Go Ahead Jimbo

[@dchang11]

I’ve heard stories of Jim O Brien on social media, and seeing the sports parade he broadcasted, made me wonder what the Eagles parade would’ve been like with him, Gary Papa, and Jim Gardner.

[@ChristopherHagee]

That's had Eagles won Super Bowl, XV in late-January, 1981. Late Gary Papa hadn't joined Ch. 6-TV, Phila., Penna. yet

[@muffin8997]

I remember this day. I was only 11. He affected us because we saw his face everyday. I wish he was still here. I don't know what made me look this up today. Perhaps me watching Jim Gardner this evening on the news still going strong. Jim Obrien would be proud. There is still some integrity left in the news world. At least here in Philadelphia. Rest on.

[@cheddarcheese7928]

I remember this was the 1st time I cried from something on tv..I was 11 but the emotion in their stories really got to me back then..

[@lauramalizia9636]

I was only 6. I felt like the all the clouds were sad after that.

[@justinmirigliani1939]

Wow, thanks for posting. I remember watching this with my parents and brother and sister when I was 8. I distinctly remember Jim Gardner's first line about how no one wanted to be doing this show. I can't believe it is 30 years today (9/25/83-9/25/13).

[@colettenasielski9045]

I remembered Jim O'Brien The. Accu-Weather Guy, He was a really good Guy and he will always be a very good Guy and he will Always be that he will try to be a part of Philadelphia Areas

[@johnoconnor6356]

As popular as Jim O'Brien was, there were those who did not think much of him. Some would say, if there were more time, he should consider joining the circus, because that's where all clowns belong, not on the news. After the tragedy of his death broke, many if them had a change of heart, and realized that he was really a great person, and how much they really were going to miss him. While 1983 was one if the best years of my life, that particular part of the year was the worst part of 1983, and by that part of the year, the best of that year was over.

[@TGGaineyProductions]

It's always those who think otherwise. That was because he had that gift to do his job well and they couldn't do it.

[@tyrese3745]

That's why WPVI 6ABC Action News is still the top-rated news team in the Delaware & Lehigh Valleys, the South Jersey shore, Atlantic City, and Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Atlantic, and Cape May counties.

[@johndonahue5280]

Christopher Howell I'm from Philadelphia and still watch action news 6

[@freeamericausa1]

I met Jim at 30th street station during a MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY telethon for Channel SIX. I was there to give him a Check from Norristown Firefighters. He thanked me, and asked "Do you firemen really play with your hoses?" Typical Jim O'Brien all the way. Fond memories from so long ago. And, he's still missed.

[@frankwhitson2191]

In the 70's his 6pm forecast For Bala Cynwood would be PARTLY CLOUDY ,upper 30's. 1100 pm, a viewer in BC asked " Why is there 6 INCHES of PARTLY CLOUDY in My DRIVEWAY !!!!!!!!!!! " LMAO!!! Bet all the crew including JG restrained themselves from rolling on the floor laughing !!!!!!!!!!! When he was on WFIL, he was known as Jungle Jim. RIP JIM.

[@stevations]

Many thanks for recording and uploading! Jim's death hit Philadelphia like the death of John Lennon to the world. I am surprised there are not more comments on this video and Jim. I wonder if Jim now sees how much his death and life meant to so many people. I think he did not realize his enormous impact on so many people. If he did he might think that to pursue a dangerous activity like skydiving was a bit selfish because so many of us suffered when he died. We suffered because he meant so much to us.

[@JP5466]

I hear you man. Sadly, people tend to move on with their lives and forget about the past. I was 16 when he died. I'm getting tears in my eyes watching this tribute. No matter what we were doing, I remember everyone in my family and all my friends in the neighborhood made sure we were in front of the tv for Jim's 6pm weather forecast. He was so funny, so entertaining, so enthusiastic... there was no way you couldn't like him. Thankfully, we have KZbin and the internet to keep Jim's memories fresh in our minds. If more people had Jim's attitude and his love of life, the world would be a much better place. RIP Jim O'Brien.

[@tartgreenapple]

Seemed like an amazing person.

[@tyrese3745]

7:30 - Poor sad Scott Palmer, tearing up. And I thought Lisa Thomas-Laury was the only one emotional.

[@jessyleppert2]

They all were

[@mjsgirl2639]

So sad. Can't believe it's gonna be 34 years next month since Jim O'Brien died He is dearly missed. RIP

[@johndolejsch5102]

Him and Gary Papa we're two big losses on Channel 6

[@ColetteNasielski777]

R I P Jim O’Brien 1939-1983

[@colettenasielski9254]

I remember that Jim O’Brien as a very good wèatherman

[@colettenasielski9254]

Goodbye Jimbo see you in heaven

[@freeamericausa1]

I could be wrong but, I remember hearing Jim doing the morning traffic report on WFIL radio. And, one particular morning I hear him YELL....."SEX. Morning everyone. Now that I have your attention. Here's the traffic on the School-kill Expressway, at City Line".

[@colettenasielski7314]

Goodbye Jimbo

[@ChristopherHagee]

In September, 1983 late Jim O'Brien tragically perished in freak skydiving mishap approx. 40 mi. from Phila., Penna.

[@colettenasielski871]

I miss Jim O'Brien I will always remember him as the Accu-Wèather Guy and Also, the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telephone

[@johndolejsch5102]

It's amazing how he got his weather rite and Jim O'Brien didn't have the technology like these clowns of weather people we have today

[@tyrese3745]

"Telethon", not Telephone.

[@briangreenberg6021]

He should've done weather for a national morning show.

[@starsdancetv8783]

A Tribute to Jim O'Brien - WPVI 1983 Prime Time Special

[@johntexas8417]

Monday September 26 1983 was also the day the world almost ended. Case of total mistake by the USSR of an American missile launch. In fact, right about the time this program aired is ~ the time the missiles would of been flying back and forth.

[@Raymel2366]

I didn't know that Dave Roberts was the host of 'AM Philadelphia'.

[@birdsfan57]

Anyone remember the name of his female co-host?

[@christophercrafter2609]

I remember that

[@lagarde2011]

​@@birdsfan57Claire Carter

[@michaelcarter7230]

+

[@samanthalake5011]

Stop being good ppl folks. They seem to die off sooner than the rest of us.🤣