D.C. Primed For 'Alpha House'; Newseum Hosts Screening Of Amazon's First Original Series

NORTHWEST -- The battleground for the hearts and minds (or eyeballs, really) of the next generation of television viewers will be on the Internet, as online giants compete with traditional content providers and distributors for a share of the multi-billion dollar media pie.

DVD-by-mail provider turned streaming giant Netflix fired the first large scale salvo at the beginning of the year with its self-produced 'House of Cards' drama, helmed by Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey.

Not one to be left behind online, e-commerce pioneer Amazon.com tossed its hat into the original content ring last week, with the debut of 'Alpha House' via its Prime Instant Video service.

A political comedy written by 'Doonesbury' creator Garry Trudeau, the Amazon Studios-produced show revolves around the lives of four Republican Senators who also happen to be roommates. Hilarity ensues. Or so goes the hopes.

With Washington serving as the backdrop for 'Alpha House' (although much of the principal photography is shot in New York), the show's producers (much like their counterparts over at 'House of Cards') correctly assumed that it would be a good idea to make a promotional splash in the city.

And so a few hundred of the District's political and media notables found themselves at the Newseum on Tuesday evening, for a special reception and screening of the Amazon comedy.

Trudeau and Executive Producers Jonathan Alter and Elliot Webb were joined by much of the show's cast for the occasion, which included an intimate Q&A session at the end. Matching the celebrity star wattage provided by Alpha House stars Mark Consuelos, Matt Malloy, and Yara Martinez on the red carpet was a solid contingent of D.C. powerbrokers, such as Senator Patrick Leahy, lobbyists Heather Podesta and Juleanna Glover, and MSNBC's Michael Steele.

Notably absent was President King, Zonker, and Mr. Butts.