Tonight. D.C.’s last on-air theater critic bows down from his duties. Arch Campbell, latest victim of NBC News’ restructuring, signs off tonight after 32 with Channel 4. Campbell’s departure is the latest step step in the dismantling of a news team that many locals grew up with.

Most will remember him for his chuckle and occasional teleprompter trip-up. The Post’s article reads as a glowing tribute to the jovial man known to tell it like it is and ardently support Washington’s local art scene. According to his NBC bio, he also won, like, a bizillion local EMMY awards.

This DCist’s love of Arch began in 2001, when I worked at Channel 4. It’s easy for big-time weatherman Bob Ryan to say he’s great to work with, but his true awesomeness was in the way he made it a point to relate to everyone, however low on the food chain. As a fresh-faced web editor, Arch passed my desk each day, took the time to learn my name, tried (albeit in vain) to figure out exactly what my job was, and even gave out free passes to events he wouldn’t be attending. Most of my colleagues shared that experience. There’s something about being a local TV celebrity that can lead to a bizarre egoism, but Arch never seemed fazed.

We’ll all miss his regular features, but Arch vows to broadcast on. He’ll be doing regular spots on WASH FM and hopes to launch an entertainment Web site in the near future. Catch his sign off tonight on Channel 4 at 6 p.m.

Image from nbc4.com