Jerry

Origins

Jerry came to Snowdrift Bay after burning out in a major metropolitan newsroom where he once won an award for “Outstanding Crisis Coverage While Crying in a Janitor’s Closet.” Seeking peace, he answered an ad for a small-town news producer role that read:

“Help wanted. Must be able to handle bees. And explosions. Sometimes both.”

He thought it was a joke.

It wasn’t.

Within a week, he’d taken over WSDB’s newsroom operations, restructured their programming, and begun a lifelong habit of sighing at everything while still making it all work.

Species & Appearance

Jerry is human, 40 years old, with a tall, lanky frame that always looks like it’s on the verge of collapsing under stress—but never does. He’s balding, bespectacled, and often wears shirts that say things like “I Paused For This” or “Producer, Not Magician (But Close).”

He favors cardigans, orthopedic sneakers, and lanyards weighed down with too many credentials and emergency ibuprofen.

His posture is permanently stooped from ducking flying objects in the studio.

Personality

Jerry is intelligent, efficient, neurotic, and long-suffering. He is the straight man to literally everyone else at WSDB and the glue that holds the newsroom together. He lives in a state of perpetual logistical triage, but he never quits—because someone has to make sure the news gets on the air.

He:

  • Mutters under his breath constantly

  • Treats disasters like scheduling conflicts

  • Loves the news, even if it’s killing him softly with jazz hands

He’s the kind of guy who can rebuild a rundown production schedule with a highlighter, a binder clip, and sheer dread.

Profession

Jerry is the executive producer at WSDB, responsible for:

  • Writing schedules

  • Managing anchors, reporters, field techs, and interns

  • Organizing every broadcast

  • Apologizing to advertisers when the weather report turns into a live emotional meltdown

  • Drinking so much coffee his bloodstream hums

He doesn’t appear on air, but everyone knows his voice from behind the cameras:

“No, Strikey, you can’t propose to your wife during the pollen count again.”
“Beekeeper Jones, please remove the swarm from the green room.”
“Chomp, you’re doing amazing, sweetie—Daisy, put the megaphone down.”

Relationships

  • Chomp McAllister: Deeply relies on Chomp’s steadiness and considers him the newsroom’s “last bastion of sanity.” They share mutual respect and deadpan sarcasm over late-night edits.

  • Beekeeper Jones: Utterly perplexed by her, but never questions her. She’s never missed a deadline, so he’s long since stopped asking why she insists on delivering headlines alongside jars of honey.

  • Strikey Pinsworth: A daily stressor. Jerry has a “Strikey Protocol Binder” he flips open anytime Strikey walks into the control room unannounced. It’s color-coded. It’s growing.

  • Daisy Davenport: Has given up trying to understand her lingo, but always builds in extra time for her segments in case she breaks into a Charleston. Secretly impressed by her ability to ad-lib during sporting chaos.

  • Mayor Llama: Jerry has had to reschedule an entire broadcast because Mayor Llama tried to “parade a town announcement live.” Jerry now has an auto-forward folder labeled “LLAMA INCIDENTS.”

  • Philip & Brenda: Finds their podcast chaotic but oddly compelling. Once accidentally booked Philip to cover a fashion show. Philip hasn’t stopped talking about how “emotionally aligned the color palette was.”

Notable Lore & Moments

  • The Fire Alarm Broadcast:
     Once coordinated an entire emergency broadcast from the parking lot using a camping stove, a Bluetooth mic, and the power of existential panic.

  • The Great Schedule Collapse:
     Juggled five anchor swaps, two surprise field reports, and one unexpected interpretive dance segment. Didn’t scream once. Did cry later.

  • The “Live Bee Segment” Crisis:
     When Beekeeper Jones released bees into the studio for “visual ambiance,” Jerry redirected the camera feed, ran pre-recorded footage, and announced, “Technical pollination difficulties.” It was his finest hour.

Quirks and Secrets

  • Has memorized everyone’s coffee orders but won’t admit it

  • Occasionally screams into a soundproof closet labeled “Creative Space”

  • Keeps a secret stack of rejection letters for fun

  • Wrote a pilot once about a small-town newsroom—it’s shockingly close to his current life

  • Has a pet parrot at home named Deadline who mimics the phone ringing

Likes and Interests

  • Favorite Beverage: Strong black coffee to keep up with the demands of the newsroom.

  • Favorite Cocktail: A classic gin and tonic, enjoyed occasionally after a long day.

  • Favorite Colors: Navy blue and grey, reflecting his professional demeanor.

  • Favorite Desserts: Apple pie, a comforting treat from his childhood.

  • Favorite Foods: Roast beef sandwiches, quick and hearty.

  • Favorite Hobbies: Reading the newspaper, solving crosswords, and taking long walks.

  • Favorite Ice Cream: Coffee-flavored, for its rich taste and caffeine boost.

  • Favorite Movie Genres: Documentaries and dramas, particularly those with a journalistic theme.

  • Favorite Music: Classical music for its calming effect during stressful times.

  • Favorite Part of Snowdrift Bay: The local café where he can unwind and chat with townsfolk.

  • Favorite Qualities: Dedication to his craft and his ability to stay calm under pressure.

  • Favorite Sandwich: Roast beef with horseradish and cheddar cheese.

  • Favorite Scent: Freshly brewed coffee.

  • Favorite Season: Autumn, for its crisp air and changing leaves.

  • Favorite Sports: Baseball, a pastime he enjoys watching.

  • Favorite Literature: Classic novels and historical biographies.

  • Favorite TV Shows: News programs and investigative series.