Video summary
Arlington Community Media, Inc. (ACMI) is celebrating its twentieth anniversary as a nonprofit dedicated to digital literacy, local journalism, and media production in Arlington, Massachusetts. The organization highlights the humorous contrast between its two-decade history and the fact that many of its staff members appear to be centuries old, jokingly noting that they received only smoke signals when asked about their longevity. Recently, ACMI welcomed Marina Goldman as its new social media marketing and fundraising manager, a self-described diehard Arlingtonian and Oxford comma enthusiast who brings creativity and wordplay to the team. The station also introduces Karma, an intern from Bhutan studying international business, who provides a fresh perspective on the local operations while navigating the sometimes loud dynamics of the marketing department.
The central focus of this episode is a campaign to bring legendary late-night host Steven Colbear back to Arlington after his show was cancelled by CBS executives. Following his departure from the Ed Sullivan Theater, Colbear found a new home at Monroe Community Media and hosted an episode of "Only in Monroe," which gained millions of views and sparked national conversations about the value of community media. ACMI is now leveraging this momentum by encouraging Colbear to return for a special appearance, citing overwhelming enthusiasm from local residents. The station emphasizes its unique identity as a cable access outlet that prides itself on hyperlocal programming and aims to use Colbear's presence to further promote the importance of independent media stations across the country.
The video features a extensive reading of fan mail sent by Arlington residents urging Colbear to visit ACMI, showcasing the deep community support for both the host and the station. Messages come from people of all ages, including ten-year-old Tommy, seven-year-old Grace, and various local professionals like Isabella from Arlington Brewing Company and news anchor Paul W., who even offers a dollar from his pocket as an incentive. The letters express admiration for Colbear's truth-telling, humor, and legacy since the days of Johnny Carson, with some fans jokingly begging him to return so their mothers won't cry. The station also notes that Arlington is the birthplace of Uncle Sam and boasts the highest number of Italian restaurants per capita, adding local flavor to the invitation while playfully addressing a tic-tac-toe game mentioned in one of the letters.
In conclusion, ACMI presents this initiative as more than just a publicity stunt but as a meaningful effort to protect democracy through laughter and free speech. The host encourages viewers who are not Steven Colbear to write their own messages supporting community media centers, either by leaving handwritten notes at the studio or submitting them online via the station's contact page. The episode ends with a call to action for the audience to engage with the topic of community media and reinforces ACMI's mission to keep local voices heard. A final message from State Senator Cindy Friedman underscores the critical role of good news, accurate information, and meaningful press in saving democracy, tying the lighthearted tone of the show back to its serious civic purpose.
Read the full video transcript
Hello and welcome to Arlington Community
Media, Inc. I'm your host, Steina
Colverina, and this is Name of Program.
No, seriously, that's what we're calling
this. As viewers of our award-winning
nonprofit, community media center, and
cable access station, you've come to
expect hyperlocal programming that
reflects your interests, concerns, and
values. It even says so in our tagline,
Arlington Community Media, Inc., focused
on you. This is important work and it's
an honor to do it. But more importantly,
folks, it's an honor to talk about
ourselves. And I humbly revel in the
opportunity to provide a few key updates
about how great we are.
ACMI is about to celebrate its 20th
anniversary, a huge milestone in
Arlington's commitment to digital
literacy, media production, and local
journalism. We are highlighting an
interesting and lesserk known contrast
of the company being that ACMI has only
been around for 20 years, but the
average manager has been alive for well
over two centuries.
When asked to comment on this momentous
achievement, we only received smoke
signals from the seauite, which roughly
translated to, "We're not that old.
You've kicked this joke to death and
you're fired." I hope whoever that last
message is directed at has something
else lined up given how easy it is to
find a job in this economy.
On the subject of hiring, a new staff
person has joined the ACMI Frey or Frey
CMI if you were taking on the role of
social media marketing and fundraising
manager. We're told that Marina Goldman
is quote a diehard Arlingtonian, Oscar
Wild fan, and Oxford comma user. how
unique, remarkable, and boring. She's
also a five Beta Kappa Honor Society
member with a soft spot for word play
who creates stories and marketing assets
with flare. We're wishing Marina the
best of luck, and we bet she's doing an
incredible job putting ACMI on the map.
Today, I'm joined by a very special
guest who is also furthering ACMI's
publicity efforts. Hailing from Bhutan
and studying at the prestigious Halt
International Business School. Please
welcome Karma.
>> Thank you Arena. It's a pleasure to be
here.
>> The pleasure is all ours. I understand
you are the marketing communications and
business development intern here at
ACMI. Congratulations on joining the
team. How's that going so far?
>> It's been a great experience so far. I
really like the staff here and the other
interns have been a lot of fun to work
with. With that being said, my manager
is kind of loud and obnoxious. It's like
she needs the attention on her all the
time. I know we work in marketing, but
come on, tone her down, you know?
I'm also joined by another less animated
guest that some viewers may even
describe as flat.
As viewers at home may know, we have
been badgering innocent and unsuspecting
bystanders in and around Arlington to
send us messages encouraging Steven
Colbear to visit ACMI. You see folks,
after having his show cancelled by the
steadfast executives at CBS, a show
which we cannot refer to by name because
we cannot afford that lawsuit, Colbear
was booted from the Ed Sullivan Theater
and landed at Monroe Community Media, a
cable access station like ACMI. Studded
with stars, stunts, and other things
people with lisps would struggle to say,
Steven Colbear was a guest host of an
episode of Only in Monroe, yielding a
hilarious and heartfelt final product.
And not just because they were filming
on an out-of-date microwave oven. That
episode has been accumulating millions
of online views and sparking nationwide
conversations about the importance of
community media.
As a media station priding itself on
unique community specific programming,
we figured why don't we dogpile on that
idea from a station almost 800 miles
away and have him come here next.
We've talked to many people here in
Arlington and to be honest, we've
received so much more enthusiasm than
expected.
>> So true, Karma. Now, without further
ado, we'd like to share the fan mail
we've received for Steven Colbear. Fan
mail, please.
As you can see, we've gotten a fair
amount of responses, but we'll read you
the ones that stood out to us the most.
Starting with this one, Steven. As you
can see, we would love for you to visit
the home of Uncle Sam, and to support
our local cable network, ACMI. Hope to
see you soon. Signed, Meredith G. Yes,
lesserk known fact about Arlington,
Massachusetts. It is considered to be
the birthplace of Uncle Sam. Um, we
encourage you to look that up and we'd
be happy to explain more when you come
to the studio.
>> Okay, let me pick the next one. Dear
Stephen Cobear, my name is Tommy. I am a
huge fan of your work. I have been
watching you your show ever since the
war. I live in Arlington, Massachusetts,
and it would make me feel so warm and
fuzzy if you were here to visit the ACMI
in Arlington. I am 10 years old, and it
would mean so much to me. Stay jazzy,
Tommy.
>> Stay jazzy indeed. Dear Steven,
Arlington is waiting for you. We are a
super volunteer involved community that
rallies behind all cool things that come
our way. We will run into the street to
greet you and we'll make you feel like
you're from Arlington. Cable Access TV
is democracy.
Visit us and help raise our notoriety by
sharing your spotlight with us. Love,
Charlotte. Now, Charlotte is the
brilliant and talented wife of our
communications manager here, James. Uh,
you might remember that I insinuated
that James was over 200 years old, which
is not true. He's over 300 years old.
Steven, did you know Arlington,
Massachusetts has the highest amount of
Italian restaurants per capita and many
surround the great ACMI, a legendary
cable access institution. See for
yourself. Also, this person has begun a
round of tic-tac-toe. Submit your move.
This one is from Grace. Dear Steven
Cobear, it would be amazing if you could
come to Arlington to visit ACMI to make
us more popular. Grace is seven years
old. Stephen, ACMI would be honored to
have you here at ACMI.
Next best thing to CBS. Dear Mr.
Colbear, like you, I grew up watching
Johnny Carson. You are hands down the
best late night host since Carson. We
are all excited to follow you in your
next ventures here at Arlington
Community Media. We would be absolutely
thrilled and honored to have you as our
guest and help support the continuation
of local cable access TV. While we have
won several national awards, like most
community cable studios, we are
challenged for continued funding to keep
us on the air. Your appearance would be
a huge boost, not only for us, but for
all community cable TV across the
country. We hope to see you here. Paul
W. Now Paul is a news anchor which he
identifies here and he has been a
longtime volunteer and just excellent
presence to have here for the news.
>> Dear Steven Coar, I come to you begging
on my hands and knees to come visit ACMI
in historic Arlington, Massachusetts,
the one near to Lexington and Concord
that used to be called Monatomy. We at
ACMI have also been home to the rival
Steve Katos show.
>> Steve Katos. Yep.
>> So, you might want to stop by to scope
out your New England competition. Also,
if you visit, the $16 in my pocket is
all yours. This one's from Tommy. Dear
Steven Colbear, it would be a pleasure
if you come to Arlington and visit the
ACMI. If you visited, wonderful things
will come to you and us. Please come.
Signed Jude in parenthesis. I am 10
years old.
>> If all the other messages haven't
convinced you already, my mom loves you
and will cry if you don't come visit
ACMI. Please, let's avoid that together.
>> Let's avoid that.
>> We must cry tears of joy,
>> not of sadness.
>> Dear Mr. Co Bear, what is your favorite
color from Vela? What is your favorite
color? The nation needs to know.
>> Stephen, I'd love it if you come to
Arlington, Massachusetts. I work for our
local brewery, and I'd love to share a
pint with you. Cheers, Isabella.
>> Isabella works on the marketing team at
Arlington Brewing Company, which is an
award-winning brewery based right in our
hometown. If you happen to be a man that
enjoys eclectic and artisal beer,
we would be happy to share some with you
at ACMI. Dear Steven, please come to
ACMI. My dad is your biggest fan and
would freak out. It would make me the
greatest daughter ever. Do it for my
dad. Steven love Sarah. Come home.
Pretty sure you're not from Arlington,
but it could be your home if you wanted
it to be.
>> Dear Steven Coar. Hi, my name is Aiden
and I'm an intern at Arlington Community
Media. We at ACMI really value your
contribution to television and your
continued support of public broadcast
channels. We are extremely proud of both
our channel and our town and we think
that it would be both an honor and a
privilege to have you here at our
studio. We all appreciate everything you
do and hope to be in contact soon.
Wishing you all the best, Aiden Lang.
>> That is an illustration of a dog. Just
give me a grill. Genuinely as the
fundraising man, if I was a fundraising
manager, this is what I would say.
Stephen, we believe in everything you
believe in. Come visit us in Arlington.
Pretty please. Mr. Coar,
thanks for your years of late night
comedy. Here in Arlington, we have a
great cable access TV station, ACMI.
Many committed community members would
love to invite here. Please bring your
hilarity to our town in Arlington. ACMI
TV needs you here. Your fan, Alfonso.
>> Alfonso,
thank you very much. Alfonso. Steven
Coar is my father.
Swear to God, one of the interns wrote
this, and I think I know which one it
is. Aiden, you're fired.
>> Dear Steven, they forced me to write
this, so you better get down here.
Spencer. Dear Mr. Co bear, what is your
eighth favorite vegetable? I guess if
it's that far down the line, it must
have extended into the least favorite
category. Please eat it on air in
Arlington, Massachusetts. Steven, you
are my hero. You speak the truth in a
world that needs it. Silencing your
voice is a crime. Keep doing you and
help the rest of us. From Jackie. Really
love this message in particular. Uh so
thank you, Jackie. I hope you're
watching.
>> Stephen, come to Arlington.
Steven C waiting for you. We want
Steven. Come to Arlington. Dear Steven,
it's pretty fun here in Arlington. You'd
have a good time and do some good.
>> Steven, please come to Arlington.
Dearest Steven, Massachusetts welcomes
you with open arms. Please come visit
Arlington at ACMI. Stephen, we love you
in Arlington in parenthesis Boston and
miss you too. Please come, Tim.
Your laughter has been a light in
darkness. Please come to Arlington and
Boston and I will welcome you with a
second breakfast. May the stars of
Elberth guide your way. Steven, get your
expletive here. Let's go. Stevie, a town
needs your birthplace of America.
>> We want Steven in Arlington.
>> Steven, you're missing out if you do not
come to Arlington, Massachusetts. Please
come.
>> Dear Steven, you should come to ACMI.
Not because we are a nonprofit community
media outlet, but because we have this
really good cookie place in a town
called Cookie Time. Come try. Dear Mr.
Co Bear, Marina in parenthesis,
marketing manager equals awesome. You
equals awesome. Okay, so you already
have something in common. Pull up.
Sincerely, Katie Green in parenthesis
Marina's BFF also in parenthesis and
maybe yours. Thank you, Katie Illy.
She's my h we did a marketing internship
together and now she has gone on to
conquer the world with her media
production capabilities and she also
left a very sweet note. So, thank you
Katie if you're out here watching this,
which you should be. Your best friend. I
thought it was Marina's.
>> So, moving on. Um, karma. Dear Stephen,
you are at your best at the leip. I pray
you find Jesus. Love to ACMI. They love
you. God bless, Ryan.
>> Uh, this is from Frank V, a member of a
band called As Seen from Space, who did
us the great honor of performing at our
very first Porchfest, which I would love
to tell you more about when you come
here.
Hi, Steve. Longtime fan. Come see us and
keep the faith. Hopefully, it's all over
in 2028. I am obligated to not
understand what that means from a
political perspective.
Dear Steven, you've always been funny
and on point in your commentary.
Question:
When was the last time you visited a
Turkish prison? Hi Steven, we would love
to have you visit us and return to your
cable access roots from Bob Moran. Thank
you, Bob.
>> Dear Steven, please come to Arlington,
Massachusetts. We'd love to see you at
ACMI.
And they said the pen gave out cuz it's
changing colors.
Keep up the good fight. Cheers, Rick.
>> Rick,
he just has so much love for you that
the ink in his pen ran out.
>> Hello, Steven. Come to Arlington. You
will not find another community that is
more in support of you. ACMI would love
to have you. We would from a big fan.
>> Dear Steven, please come to ACMI. We
love you. From Ed from Somerville,
Massachusetts. We cast a wide net for
these responses and we've gotten a lot
of great ones. Hey, Stephen, come to
Arlington. You can throw cakes off my
house. We love you.
>> Hi, Stephen. We love you here in
Arlington. I wrote to the network when
they ended your show and hoping you can
restart your media career here in our
amazing town. Love, Andrea, employee of
Arlington Brewing Company. Yes.
>> Dear Steven, I miss seeing you. I've
been watching you since the daily show
days. Hope you are well and you'll come
to the Boston area. All the best,
Eileene.
>> Eileen, come on. Eileen,
I know what you mean because of the
song. Dear Stephen, not sure if you are
a sand lapper or an upstater. I hope you
know what that means, cuz I don't. But I
guarantee you'd love a visit to
Arlington, Massachusetts. So, what can
we do to embrace the world when it seems
so prickling? Cheers,
Ben. Steven, we love your work. Please
come and visit Arlington, Massachusetts
and go on ACMI.
Yes. Yes, you should. Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
I love you.
>> Steven, you are the best at speaking
truth to power. Please come to Arlington
and host a show.
>> Hi, Steven. I am your biggest fan.
Someone else already signed off that
they were the biggest fan.
>> The battle of the fans.
>> The battle of the fans. I would really
appreciate it if you would come to ACMI.
It would be really great and I would
appreciate it. Thanks, Nate. Thank you,
Nate. Thank you, Nate, for your note,
Nate. Steven, I've been your fan for
years. Please, please come to ACMI to
share more of your thoughts. Steven, we
miss you already. Please come to ACMI so
we can enjoy your humor in person. Love,
Lisa. Dearest Mr. Gold Bear, you had the
best late night show. Please bring your
expansive knowledge of Middle Earth to
our little shlike town of Arlington,
Massachusetts. Love your fans. Stephen,
come to Arlington. ACMI is the best. So,
those are our fan mail messages.
Certainly more to come, but we have a
important message for you. The point is,
Stephen, we'd really love to have you at
ACMI to continue spreading the word
about community media with us. You've
gotten people thinking and talking about
something they might not have been aware
of otherwise and made a crucial tenant
of free speech fun, funny, and popular.
That's exactly why we love you and why
you are so important to organizations
like ours all over the country. We're
eager to make you feel right at home in
our studio and around town. Email me or
uh our social media marketing and
fundraising manager at this address and
let's make it happen. Thank you for
considering us and for all that you do
to protect democracy with laughter.
>> To our viewers that are not Steven Coar,
we humbly ask you to continue to write
about why you love community media
centers, including but not limited to
ACMI. You can leave a handwritten note
for Mr. Corbar at our studio or submit
one online at acmi.tv/contact-
us.
>> That's right, Karma. And be sure to use
the subject line
operation hot Steven Summer. Thank you
all for watching and good night.
Hi, Stephen. I'm State Senator Cindy
Freriedman. The only thing that's going
to save this drowning democracy is if we
can make sure that we have good news,
that we've got good press, and that
people actually get information that's
real and meaningful. And there's nothing
better than community