Election Night

The big entertainment last night was the Election Night coverage.  I mostly toggled between CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and CNN for coverage, with a bit of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. 

Some observations:

- What was up with Diane Sawyer on ABC?  She seems to be under some sort of influence, although it's most likely that she was just exhausted.  She got up very early every morning for Good Morning America, and had to stay late last night for the coverage. 

- Among all the technological doo-dads, I have to give the edge to CNN's John King and his masterful use of the two large touch-screen TVs.  He knew what he was doing, where to find the information, and didn't seem awkward using the technology.  I especially like it when he zoomed into specific states to show specific counties and how they were voting, complete with historical data.  NBC's Ice Rink Map was cool, but would have been even better if they could turn on the color remotely instead of the awkward spectacle of sending people out there to cover the states with red or blue colors manually every time a projection is made.

- I was annoyed at the rowdiness of CNN's commentators.  They often talked over each other and there was constant sniping, but I do like the diversity of opinions, genders, and races.

- ABC had too many people with the panel and the researchers and commentators sitting in the raised bank of seats. 

- I didn't stay long with CBS's coverage.  They were so somnolent I almost fell asleep. 

- Stephen Colbert was in top form acting out as a petulant right-winger.  He was so absurd that it was hilarious, although it's scary to think that there are real people like that out there.  Jon Stewart was a bit more muted - no one was behaving badly enough for him to mock.  But great opening with Patrick Stewart narrating.

- I didn't see it live, but Karl Rove's battle with Fox News was amusing.  Nice glimpse of the Decision Desk. 

- Brian Williams is the master of dry wit.  The title of best anchor of the night is a fight between him and Anderson Cooper.  Anderson had to keep the peace between so many myriad commentators and keep things on track, but Brian did throw out awesome one-liners like calling the team putting colors on the ice "Ice Team Zero."

- The most re-tweeted picture of the night was this one from Barack Obama's Twitter feed.  The White House also released this picture of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden moments after the networks called the election in their favor.