CNN 'X'-es the VP
From Drudge: CNN flashed a big black 'X' centered on the Vice Presidents face during a live speech he gave. They were several quick flashes of the X. There were also a couple of flashes of a white 'X' as well, and some unreadable text was flashed on the screen with the white X.
CNN spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg emails: "We concluded this was a technological malfunction not an issue of operator error. A portion of the switcher experienced a momentary glitch. We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated."A rival network news director asks: "When has an 'X' ever aired on CNN before? Who had the graphic sitting in the key signal? Who generated the 'X'?"
Good questions. It reminds me of an incident on The West Wing. The story is too long to go into for the punchline, but it was a joke of the moment that ended up being very embarrassing to those who had done it, and was almost embarrassing to the President on the show.
Someone was more than likely being cute, and someone hit the wrong button or a glitch really did occur. But I have no doubt that someone will get either a pat on the back for embarrassing the VP, or they will get reamed for embarrassing the network. Or both.