Has CNN Lost Its Mind?

Did you see the full-page ad in today's New York Times?

*Live from Las Vegas*

They've Warmed Up.

Tonight, the Gloves Come Off.

In a desperate reach for a ratings knockout, CNN decides to promote bare-knuckle boxing. Why don't they just broadcast Fight Club instead? It would certainly be more viewable (Brad Pitt, shirtless), and lots more fun, than yet another dreary debate. What's the point of tuning in now anyway? The candidates are only here to pander. If these folks were Pinocchio, their noses would be pushing through your TV screen.

Let's put things in perspective. After the first five presidential debates, the Democrats had an average of 2.5 million viewers, while the average for the Republicans was 2.1 million. Last week, the top-rated show on network television (Without A Trace) attracted 21,685,000 viewers. Spongebob Squarepants attracts an average of 4,000,000 viewers per episode on cable, for crying out loud.

If you really want to know what goin' on, click here, here, here, and here.