If you were wondering what MediaBistro wanted with a D.C. -based blogger a few weeks ago, the mystery is solved. Today MediaBistro relaunched, debuting several new features in addition to the new homepage. The site's existing blogs (TVNewser and Galleycat) are joined by UnBeige, a design blog, MBToolbox, a resource blog for journalists, and three "Fishbowl" blogs that provide "an irreverent insider glimpse into three of the largest media markets in the country": New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.. The D.C. Fishbowl will be helmed by Garrett Graff, who works in communications at a D.C. technology consulting firm and now has the enviable title of "professional blogger." Graff's vision for FishbowlDC is that it will cover

the true power brokers of Washington -- the reporters for whom a trip on Air Force One is a regular ordeal, the editors who decide what makes A-1 and what makes A-34, the Sunday morning talkers who like to claim to set the agenda, and the round-the-clock cable news buzz that more and more dominates political discourse in America.

FishbowlDC has already covered some amusing news items, including the Post getting duped by an inauguration protestor and conservative talk show host Michael Graham selling himself on eBay. The site also launches at an interesting time, with local journalists getting into blogging, Wonkette taking a sabbatical, and the media mentioning blogs all the time.

Its no surprise that MediaBistro is making an effort to expand into the blogging world. Their new editor in chief, "professional dilettante" Elizabeth Spiers, was founding editor of Gawker, the blog empire that has expanded to cover everything from L.A. gossip to gaming and is host to Wonkette. Whether Mediabistro takes the Fishbowl concept to the home towns of the other -ist blogs remains to be seen.

For one local blogger's take on FishbowlDC, click on over to our friend DCeiver.

>>Gothamist on the Gawker/MediaBistro "feud".