Tom Jolls

American weatherman and children's television host (1933–2023)

Tom Jolls (August 6, 1933 – June 7, 2023) was an American television personality best known for his 34 year tenure at WKBW TV in Buffalo, New York. At WKBW, Jolls hosted "The Weather Outside" segments during Eyewitness News, performed many of the station's voiceovers, and served as host of the children's television show, the Commander Tom Show.

Tom Jolls was born in Newfane, New York, and grew up in Lockport, New York, where he worked at WUSJ from 1951 to 1962. His first television experience came as a personality at the short lived WBES TV during its three months in operation in 1953. He moved to Buffalo, working for WBEN (AM)/TV, and in 1965 was effectively traded to WKBW TV in exchange for Stan Barron. At WKBW, Jolls became the station's evening news weatherman, and before the end of the year, he was also hosting The Superman Show—interstitial segments. These featured Jolls as Captain Tom, later Commander Tom, which aired around broadcasts of Adventures of Superman. The program evolved into The Commander Tom Show and would be on the air in various formats for 26 years. Jolls, along with news anchor Irv Weinstein and sports anchor Rick Azar, was a nighttime fixture on WKBW. As host of "The Weather Outside," Jolls would stand out in the elements to report on weather conditions, and seeing him shivering or struggling to keep balance in gusty winds became common. Another one of Jolls's trademarks was his "Weather Word," a summation of the weather forecast in one word (a particular favorite of Jolls was salubrious, for beautiful weather), as well as ending his temperature listing by reminding us that it was " and cooler by the lake!" He also maintained a weather stick as a forecasting aid; He had largely avoided the Great Lakes Blizzard of 1977 since he went home before the worst of the blizzard hit. and 12 great grandchildren. Jolls was also inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2019. Jolls died at his New York home on June 7, 2023, at the age of 89.