Will Webcasts Save Local Journalism?

We love local news in all its forms, whether we’re forcing asking the interns to read the community papers for Townie Town Hall or watching our beloved anchors on the evening news.

That gives us an idea: What if television’s taking heads joined forces with the scribes at smaller newspapers? After watching the latest edition of CapeCast, the Cape Cod Times’ online news show, we think it could be ratings gold.

If you haven’t kept up on your crustacean headlines, officials have warned seafood lovers not to eat tomalley, the icky-looking green stuff that you sometimes find in your lobster.

The paper’s Eric Williams sets the scene.

Last night at Mac’s Shack in Wellfleet, diners were enjoying lobsters and other denizens of the deep, hopefully eschewing tomalley.

Mac’s Shack’s owner explains how to clean the tomalley off your lobster (it’s kind of a no-brainer—clean the goo out and rinse the meat if necessary). But wait, it gets good.

Williams decides to warble the unhealthy goo a song, to the tune of “Tomorrow” from Annie.

The sun will come out, tomalley,
Even though you’re full of toxins, tomalley, you’ll be fine—
Tomalley, tomalley, I love ya, tomalley, even though you’re sort of dis-gust-ing.

Brilliant! Maybe the Internet can actually save community newspapers.