September 04, 2015
For all the critics John Bolaris has accrued in his time as a Philadelphia weatherman and man-about-town, and all the misfortune he's certainly faced this year, you'd never guess it by his demeanor.
Cool and kicked back with his espresso at a table outside of Joe Coffee in Rittenhouse, Bolaris, with his hair slicked back and not a wrinkle to be found on his suit, is put-together and easygoing -- not at all the unnerved, tragic character you might expect to meet based on blog-vertical headlines. He's sensitive, yes, but also playfully laughs at his bum luck, blabs as endlessly as any father about adventures with his 10-year-old daughter, animates when given the chance to talk about Tropical Storm Erika (once a weatherman, always a weatherman) and is, frankly, high on excitement about the future.
After a crash course in real estate at Temple University, he's embarking on a new chapter in his life. When his weather contracts went to pots and WeatherSavior startup site went under, he opted to rebound with a new career. Today, he's hitting the ground running by helping New York developer (and golf pal) Bert Brodsky sell the famous Gatsby property on Long Island. And he is, truly, as serious about his new endeavor as any all-smiles real estate man. But he's also, he teased, working on two new ventures that he hopes will land him back in the weather world.
So, don't forecast John Bolaris out of the Philadelphia weather scene just yet.
Here, Bolaris talks Popeocalypse, his feelings about "The Hangover" and how he plans to immortalize his looming comeback.
What induces more of a panic in Philadelphia: A blizzard, or the Pope?
Ha! Well, a blizzard. No matter what. Because it’s massive. The Pope right now is the city; a blizzard covers the entire Delaware Valley. Everyone is shut down. The weather affects every single person. The Pope will play a big role and be disruptive -- not the pope himself, but I think the city has overreacted. I mean, in New York are they putting up chain link fences? I mean really. But listen, that is a news director’s dream. To have a blizzard in the month of February when you have ratings? That’s gold. ...
What is the worst date you’ve ever been on?
Someone reached out to me once and sent me a picture. "Big Flyers fan!" she said. And normally I never do anything like that if you don’t know them, but she sounded so sincere and sent pictures. I said, ‘Hmmm.’ She goes, ‘Come to the game with me.’ And I said, "What do I have to lose? Worse comes to worst, I watch the Flyers game." Those pictures were not anywhere – [it was] someone else. I mean this was, I’m talking 240 pounds. And like, she wanted to walk around with me and I felt bad. I said, ‘OK.’ She grabbed me and walked around with me and I’m getting heckled, and meanwhile I don’t want to make her feel bad and it’s like, "What a nightmare." Because she keeps grabbing me and says 'C’mon!" And she’s jumping in my lap. And I’m like, "I gotta go." “Oh no! You’re not!" And now people are [chanting] "Bolaris!" I ran. I found an opening and skated off the ice, as they say. Went to the penalty box and got outta there. She lied to me! Sent me a wrong picture! …
But honestly, every person I’ve met, I always find the goodness in them. Everyone has something different. I always see the good in someone. I don’t care if you’re sweeping the streets or a forensic scientist, or an actress. I’ve had actresses and models and waitresses and if someone I find has something I find special or something about the soul, I’m open to that. … There are some women that I find absolutely stunning and I admire, business women, who I’m afraid to approach and ask [out]. Because I don’t know what they think of me. Because most people who Google search me, it’s not a good thing. People look at me in a negative light a lot when it comes to dating. They do a search and all the negative stuff comes up. It makes it difficult. Really, if you do a Google search, who’s going to go out with me? For all the different things that have gone on in my life -- red flags. That’s really part of the press and that’s not who I am. But people read who you are and they assume or they embellish. I hear so many stories about me that I’m, like, totally taken aback on. I know they’re not true at all.
Do you think your celebrity overshadowed your meteorology career?
I think in Philadelphia, yeah. When I worked in New York? No. In New York people respected me for what I did on the air. I loved what they’d write. They did write the sexy columns and all that stuff, but it was mostly "This guy knows his shit." That’s the biggest compliment. When someone says they love your work and your forecasts are great. ... I know I’m the best forecaster in this city and probably in New York as well -- or anywhere I know. My forecasting is a gift and I know I can bring a lot to the table still. So, big time. The way they do weather now is robotic and antiquated. Everyone does the same thing. "Three-day, five-day" -- no one cares. There’s a different connection I would do if I was doing the weather.
Do you cringe when you watch 'The Hangover'?
Yes. They asked me to do a cameo in the third one. I did not take that. A cameo in "Hangover." [Laughs] I get approaches. Once to do a movie [about my life]. There was a lot that was going on at the time. But the cameo thing, that would have been funny. If I was working, I would have done it. "I’ll have some fun with myself." Not working? Not so much fun.
If you ever got another tattoo [in addition to your daughter's name and the Flyers tattoo on your rear] what would it be?
I think when I’m finally back where I want to be, it’ll be "Redemption." That’s it. I’m going to get "Redemption." And be back where I feel I should be. So that’s the next one. But I've got to wait until it’s right, and I know I’m back in the driver’s seat again.
