television

Jim Moran Gets His Own On Demand Channel, But Is It Fair?

By ARLnow.com

Today Rep. Jim Moran became the first member of congress to get his own On Demand channel.

Jim Moran On Demand is now available to thousands local Comcast, Cox and Via Media cable customers.  It will feature information and news programming, including in-depth, fireside chat-style policy discussions.

A preview of the channel’s slickly-produced videos is now up on YouTube.

To access the channel on Comcast, go to the On Demand menu, select “Searchlight,” then select “Inside the Beltway,” then “My Government” then “MiCongress.” The technology for the service is provided through a company called iConstituent.

“Given Northern Virginia’s mobile, fast-moving population, this is proactive way to supply information and reach out to new residents on an ongoing basis,” Moran said in a statement. “Now constituents can tune in any time of day to hear the latest on what’s happening in Congress and the community. I’m really excited about it and look forward to hearing people’s feedback.”

Not everybody thinks it’s a good thing, though. Virginia political blogger Ben Tribbett says the channel is “an absolutely horrible idea.”

“Incumbents already have plenty of advantages, without getting their own channel for propaganda on local cable TV,” writes Tribbett, a Democrat. “I understand why the cable companies would do this, to curry favor with incumbents, but it ought to be outlawed.”

Whacky Russian News Program Visits Arlington Gas Station

By ARLnow.com

Because of today’s breaking news, we had to push our article on last night’s very, very long discussion of the East Falls Church development plan to tomorrow. As a way of making amends, we bring you a segment from the English-language Russian propaganda news channel Russia Today, which you may be able to find in a dark corner of your extended digital cable service.

In the clip, a reporter interviews some folks at a Shell station in Arlington about America’s “addiction” to oil (spoiler: people at a gas station are in no hurry to ditch their cars). But the real reason to watch is for the American anchor’s lead-in to the reporter’s story:

And when it comes to the topic of petrol, and America’s appetite for it, we’re like heroin addicts. And as the color of the waters of the Gulf turn from a murky blue to a poop brown, RT’s Lauren Lyster asked Americans, “Can you kick the habit?”

That’s right, comrades, we’re heroin addicts and our water is poop brown. Courtesy of a TV network from the world’s largest oil producer.

As if to make the setup to an otherwise perfectly normal news story more ridiculous, before you press play you’re treated to a photo of a drunk Uncle Sam holding a gas pump.

Enjoy.

Afternoon Notes: Petition Problems, Final Jeopardy

By ARLnow.com

Change-of-Government Petition Issues — The Sun Gazette reports that the Arlington County registrar’s office may have a difficult time processing the thousands of signatures being gathered for the Committee for a Better Arlington’s change-of-government proposal. Officials are worried that the county may have to hire temporary workers and pay overtime in order to verify all the signatures. In a separate article, a Committee for a Better Arlington spokesperson says that the group will probably not honor any requests by petition signers who have reconsidered and now want their name removed from the list, saying it’s “not required by the law.”

Final Jeopardy for Arlington Contestant — Despite a valiant comeback and a down-to-the-wire finish, Arlington resident Liz Murphy placed second in last night’s semifinal round of the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions, which means she will not advance to the finals.

Why Don’t More People Watch AVN Online?

By ARLnow.com

Yesterday we linked to a couple of great videos that gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at two Columbia Pike restaurants. The videos were produced by the Arlington Virginia Network, the county-run television channel.

AVN’s production values are impeccable. It’s remarkable that the county is producing interesting community video content that could be mistaken for a Food Network show or a local news broadcast.

But it’s a bit discouraging that, before we linked to them, the two videos had barely 100 views between them on YouTube. It begs the question: is there a better way to promote AVN online?

While it’s virtually impossible to know how many people watch AVN shows on the county’s cable channel (channel 25 on Comcast and channel 40 on Verizon), AVN videos get about 50,000 views per year online (UPDATE: AVN Executive Producer Rob Farr says their online views have grown dramatically since the county estimate cited here — see his response in the comments section). Given the office’s budget of about $557,000 this year (according to the county manager’s proposed budget), that’s more than $10 spent per online view.

How can the county better promote AVN online? A Facebook and a Twitter account would help. As would a standalone domain name for the AVN website. What are your thoughts? (In addition to the comments section, feel free to contribute to the discussion on our Facebook page).

Afternoon Notes: Alpine Restaurant Changing Owners

By ARLnow.com

New Ownership for Alpine Restaurant — Alpine Restaurant, the popular Italian eatery on Lee Highway in North Arlington, closed its doors on Sunday. After 44 years in business, owner Ermanno Tonizzo decided to sell the restaurant and retire. The restaurant will eventually re-open under new management. More from NBC Washington.

Small Fire at Reagan National — A scary moment for travelers at Reagan National Airport yesterday afternoon. A small fire broke out at a McDonald’s restaurant past the security checkpoint in one of the terminals. The fire was extinguished within minutes, and airport spokesperson said. There were some minor flight delays, but the terminal was not evacuated. Crews from the Arlington Fire Department assisted airport firefighters on the call. More from the Associated Press.

Arlington Woman to Appear on Jeopardy Tonight — Local resident Liz Murphy, who advanced past the quarterfinals of the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions last week, will face two other returning Jeopardy winners tonight in the semifinals. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on WJLA (Channel 7).

Welcome to Rosslyn, Bob Ryan

By Scott Brodbeck

Confirming rumors that have been swirling for months on DCRTV, long-time WRC (NBC 4) meteorologist Bob Ryan is officially joining his friend Doug Hill at Rosslyn-based WJLA (ABC 7).

Ryan left WRC two months ago after failing to agree to a new contract. If the experience of other on-air talent at the station is any guide, the contract proposed by WRC management may have included a pay cut.

Starting today, Ryan will appear on WJLA’s 11:00 p.m. newscasts, while Hill will remain on air at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. They will appear together during severe weather events, according to the Washington Post’s Paul Farhi.

Ryan will also actively contribute to the weather section of TBD.com, the local news venture being launched by WJLA parent company Allbritton Communications. ARLnow.com has announced a partnership with TBD.

It will be exciting to see what kind of weather content Ryan will be able to create online. Bob’s mind is a treasure trove of meteorological facts and insights, a fraction of which makes it on air (even during his eternity-in-television 5- or 6-minute weather hits).

Ryan did not have the creative freedom he wanted to create and maintain a weather-focused website at WRC. Now, he has a blank slate with which to work at TBD. Expect great things.

I think this is a smart move and I wish my former WRC colleague well. It will be some fun viewing when Hill and Ryan team up to cover the next severe thunderstorm outbreak.

Arlington Woman Wins First Round of Jeopardy Tournament

By ARLnow.com

Arlington resident Liz Murphy has advanced to the semifinals of the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions. The foreign service officer and Arlington Public Library regular roundly beat her two opponents — both returning Jeopardy champions — on last night’s show.

Murphy will compete in the semifinals next week. The tournament’s top prize is $250,000 cash.

Check out an interview of Murphy here.

Jeopardy airs at 7:30 p.m. on WJLA (Channel 7).

Photo courtesy “Jeopardy!” Productions, Inc.

Deadlines Approaching for Youth Video Programs

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Independent Media, which runs the Arlington’s public access channel (not to be confused with the Arlington County government channel or the Arlington Public Schools channel), has a number of programs for young film and video-makers this summer, but deadlines are fast approaching.

The deadline for the 2010 Document Arlington Project was recently extended to April 15. The project — which is actually a paid six-week apprenticeship — is open to Arlington high school students who have an interest in documentary filmmaking. Six apprentices will be chosen for the project, which runs from July 12 to August 19.

Submissions for the 2010 Arlington Youth Film Festival are due on April 16. The festival features cash prizes for films or videos in four categories: comedy, informational, experimental, and drama. Festival entrants must be Arlington middle or high school students. Public screenings will be held on May 22.

AIM is also offering a video production camp for kids ages 8 to 15. Structured as a day camp, the program will instruct kids on the basics of video production. It will also teach how to tell a story and how to creatively collaborate. The first of three camp sessions starts on July 12. The fee for the two-week session is $575. Call 703-524-2388 for more information.

Jimmy Smits NBC Pilot Filming in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Film crews were camped out near the Iwo Jima memorial in Rosslyn this morning for the taping of a new TV show starring Jimmy Smits.

The actor, who formerly portrayed a congressman (then a U.S. president) on The West Wing, is playing a Supreme Court justice who leaves the high court to start a law firm that fights constitutional injustices.

The show — possibly titled “Garza” or “Rough Justice” — is being produced by NBC Universal and Conaco, Conan O’Brien’s production company. Crews were filming the pilot episode today; no word yet on whether NBC will pick it up as a full-blown series.

County sources tell us filming took place on Marshall Drive, near the memorial, between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. today. County police assisted with traffic control.

Photo via Wikipedia.

Arlington Woman Joins Jeopardy Tournament of Champions

By ARLnow.com

If you see Liz Murphy at a local trivia night, you might as well head for the exits. The Arlington resident has made five television appearances as a contestant on Jeopardy, and has $121,302 in winnings to show for it. Now, she has returned to Los Angeles for the taping of the 2010 Jeopardy Tournament of Champions, set to air in May.

Murphy, a foreign service officer and self-described “bookworm,” has spent the past several weeks studying topics like art, literature, geography and history during her lunch break and during her daily commute.

The 31-year-old Scranton, Pa. native is a repeat customer at the Arlington Public Library. At one point, in the time leading up to her appearances last year, Murphy recalls having 24 books out at one time.

According to her hometown newspaper, Murphy used the prize money from her first appearances for trips to Europe and for a new laptop, which she’s using to write a detective novel.

Murphy will face 14 returning winners during the Tournament of Champions. The top prize is $250,000 cash.

The first installment of the two-week tournament will air at 7:30 p.m. on May 10 on WJLA (Channel 7).

Photo courtesy “Jeopardy!” Productions, Inc.