As parts of Ohio braced for tornado-producing severe weather on Monday night, Dayton Fox 45 weatherman Jamie Simpson warned local viewers of potentially life-threatening situations in a live emergency broadcast. Unfortunately, what would eventually become a “catastrophic,” deadly tornado had the nerve to coincide with a new episode of The Bachelorette — and Bachelor Nation fans were none too pleased at the interruption. Fox 45 is a Sinclair-owned dual Fox and MyNetworkTV affiliate that also owns Dayton’s ABC 22, which airs the popular reality dating series.
As such, viewers took to social media to complain, and let’s just say Simpson was not amused with the feedback, launching into a validated rant that quickly went viral:
“I was just checking social media, we have viewers complaining already, ‘Just go back to the show.’ No, we’re not going back to the show, folks. This is a dangerous situation, okay? Think about if this was your neighborhood. I’m sick and tired of people complaining about this. Our job here is to keep you safe and that is what we’re going to do.
“Some of you complain that this is all about my ego. Stop, okay? Just stop right now. It’s not. I’m done with you people, I really am. This is pathetic.”
Simpson went on to apologize for the interruption, adding that it bothers him that there are people who don’t care about other peoples safety. “That’s just ridiculous,” he snapped.
Many people felt Simpson didn’t need to apologize for his candor however, going by the outpouring of support on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/stampepk/status/1133335861725155328
https://twitter.com/Kaycombs/status/1133374058773581825
WATCH: Weatherman @JamieFOX45Now in Dayton, Ohio snapped at viewers complaining on social media about the network's decision to cut into The Bachelorette Monday evening with emergency tornado warning coverage
"I'm done with you people, I really am. This is pathetic" pic.twitter.com/m4nxmoUUkY
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) May 28, 2019
An incredibly powerful tornado devastated portions of Dayton Ohio tonight yet meteorologists were getting hate messages because they “interrupted” The Bachelorette and hockey.
We don’t care if we “interrupted” “your” show. If it helps save lives, then that’s what matters.
— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) May 28, 2019
Dayton Ohio was all but destroyed with two massive twisters, yet viewers complaining to get off the air to watch their show. This TV meteorologist calls them out on air. Very frustrating in such a dangerous situation that people don’t understand why we do what we do. @fox17 https://t.co/V0RSlQavIk
— Kevin Craig (@FoxWeatherman) May 28, 2019
Jamie Simpson is done with y’all 🤣 @ABC22FOX45 pic.twitter.com/Iub6eRErRs
— Dylan Kemp (@dkemp2017) May 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/Alec__Eckert/status/1133211168510763008
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 We break coverage for a reason. Tonight, lives were at risk in parts of the country & Jamie Simpson was tired of the complaining. https://t.co/x0PtNSSxvW
— Ethan Emery (@EthanEmeryWX) May 28, 2019
Simpson has yet to speak out about his newfound viral notoriety, but what’s more important is that his broadcast more than likely saved actual human lives last night. He is indeed a hero.