By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer CALERA— Jason Irvin had been a Charter Communications customer for five years — years in which he was always happy to complete insider surveys. He never expected those surveys would lead to anything until the Calera resident was chosen by Charter Spectrum Internet to be featured in a national television commercial.

“It’s still weird to think about it,” Irvin said in a Jan. 8 interview. It all started when Irvin received an email from Charter representatives. Irvin said he told the rep that he was definitely interested in being in their commercial. Two interviews later, Irvin and his wife were on a plane, flying out to Los Angeles. Irvin said Charter provided the couple with a room at the Hollywood Roosevelt, gave them money for expenses and drove them out to the studio Dec. 5, 2015. It also just happened to be the weekend of the Irvins’ 13-year wedding anniversary and Irvin’s birthday, making it a wonderful way to celebrate, Irvin said, as well as an exciting opportunity. “It was just a great, great trip for my wife and I,” Irvin said. The acting opportunity was a new one for Irvin, he said, as he normally works in life insurance, although he did have some experience clowning for his mother’s entertainment company in his younger years. After several wardrobe changes and a round of makeup, Irvin said he was put in front of camera at the large shoot. Irvin said he answered several questions candidly and in full sentences, and then he sat in front of a computer so they could film him surfing the Internet. The on-camera shoot took about 20 minutes, according to Irvin. Then he and his wife were able to enjoy the city before flying out the next day. “Its crazy surreal and its really cool,” Irvin said. “It’s a weird and fun experience. I feel totally blessed.” The commercial aired recently, and Irvin said his friends started texting him when they saw him on TV. After Irvin saw himself, he said it was a cool moment. He also said he enjoyed getting to see some of the other people he met in the commercial. “It was a really cool experience,” he said.