It's been a few years since meteorologist Lacey Swope debuted on News 9, and to this day she can't shake being labeled Emily Sutton 2.0.
I've never been 100% sure if that was intentional or a coincidence. I flip-flop on it all the time. Was News 9 specifically looking for a smart, attractive, bubbly brunette who can give the weather report with the charm and zeal of a first grade teacher like Emily Sutton, or did they just stumble across a talented TV meteorologist who, oh by the way, just happens to be a virtual clone of Emily Sutton?
Well, I think we may be getting closer to answering that question. It looks like Lacey Swope now has her own fishing photo contest.
Here are the details:
‘Win a Fishing Trip with Emily Sutton’
Let’s go fishing! Emily Sutton loves to fish and we are giving you a chance to go fishing with her. Watch NewsChannel 4 at 6:00 am weekdays to find out more. One lucky winner will win a fishing trip with our NewsChannel 4 meteorologist Emily Sutton.
There is a catch (get it?). You will need to send us a photo of you fishing, holding a fish, or in the great outdoors.
Oops. I accidentally copied and pasted the details from KFOR's "Win a Fishing Trip with Emily Sutton" photo contest. You know, the contest KFOR ran last summer that we didn't win.
Here's the info about Lacey's fishing photography contest:
Fishing with Lacey
Lacey Swope loves to fish and is waiting to see your latest catch!
E-mail your photos and videos to pics@News9.net with the keyword “FISH” in the subject line and write your fish tale in the body of the email, your photo could be featured on News 9!
Yeah, so that's kind of creepy. I'm all cool with each news station having an Emily Sutton clone, but this is starting to sound like the plot to "Single White Female 3: The Severe Weather Chronicles." Next week, I bet Lacey shows up with bangs and begins training for a triathlon with local firemen.
Then again, maybe we're looking at this the wrong way. Perhaps this all part of some devious "House of Cards" style plan crafted by Mike Morgan. Lacey makes it pretty clear that she's an avid outdoorsy chick. She's posted plenty of pics on the Internet where she's dressed in camo, shooting bows and arrows, and drinking deer blood. Maybe, just maybe, Mike wanted to brand Emily Sutton as a fisherman to balance out one of Lacey's strengths just like how Mayor Mick is now trying to brand himself as the "Neighborhood Mayor." It's just a thought. Of course, I'm not sure I buy it. If this was all Mike Morgan's doing, Channel 9 would have launched a "Hunting with Lacey" photo contest sponsored by Terry's Taxidermy.
Anyway, I guess we should have seen this coming. News 9 has been trying to transform itself into KFOR for a few years now. Think about it. They stole Jim Gardner, bought David Payne and then grew their own Emily Sutton. Hell, they even got a Bob to sponsor their helicopter and forced Lord England into retirement. Expect David Payne to start wearing a bedazzled tie, Val to get his own Dominator, and the entire weather team to wear Best Buy polo shirts any day now.
