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Reporting on the Mirror – CNN

Replicating who you’ve been mocking is certainly a look.

Replicating who you’ve been mocking is certainly a look.

So, just how desperate are things at the distant third-place CNN? Over the past week, the network trotted out some new-look attempts on its programs, and the results were…well, we’ll be charitable and simply say the results were “mixed.”

On Anderson Cooper’s show, they had a distinct new look, where large microphones were visible on the desk, and the host was in a more casual appearance, with his jacket dispatched and sleeves rolled up.

How long has AC360 on CNN been doing the faux podcast set design? pic.twitter.com/UPratOPT4w— Alex Weprin (@alexweprin) March 20, 2026

How long has AC360 on CNN been doing the faux podcast set design? pic.twitter.com/UPratOPT4w

Also going with a more, er, personable appearance was Jake Tapper, who was hosting his show from his actual office. The cluttered desk and walls adorned with posters from failed candidates in elections were an odd, distancing effect for viewers.

The humor is that the network has long taken a dismissive approach toward podcasters as not being valid journalism sources, yet here they are looking to convey the look and feel of that very format. It managed to feel like your parents joining in on the hip, new platform format.

CNN's Jake Tapper on why he's anchoring The Lead from his office pic.twitter.com/YSDRRU2JHU— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) March 21, 2026

CNN's Jake Tapper on why he's anchoring The Lead from his office pic.twitter.com/YSDRRU2JHU

Reporting on the Mirror – MEIDAS TOUCH

This will NOT help the reputation, Scott.

This will........

© Townhall