Television reporter’s banana prop leads to memorable TV moment

RICHMOND, Va. -- When the snow falls, television reporters (and their photojournalists) are tasked with a difficult job. The must stay outdoors in the cold and figure out ways to best convey the harsh elements to the people watching at home. While some reporters use a snow stick to help tell the snow story, CBS 6 reporter Jerrita Patterson went a different route. She chose a banana.

"I want to really put it into perspective about how cold it is," she began one of her live hits in the 4 a.m. hour. "We were able to use a banana that we have, one of our snack items. Now this banana is completely frozen. It is now a banana hammer. So, any home projects, you can actually use this to complete that."

CBS 6 morning anchors Rob Cardwell and Reba Hollingsworth have seen a lot of snow day live reports during their time on the anchor desk, but judging by their reaction, this was the first time they'd seen a report that involved a banana hammer.

"A banana hammer! My goodness!" Cardwell commented. "Do not mess with Jerrita Patterson. She is armed with a banana hammer."

While Rob and Reba were a bit shocked, morning meteorologist Carrie Rose danced with glee.

"How can you not stop 'Hammer Time' when JP drops a banana hammer?" Rose asked while doing her dance in six inches of snow.