His name is Jim, but you can call him "Master"

This week's guest blogger is someone who is uniquely qualified to offer up his thoughts on the last episode of "News To Me." In fact, he is one of the people who is responsible for making sure the rest of us can see the show every weekend. His name is Jim and he's a Master Control Operator, one of the unsung heroes of the networks of CNN. Without getting too technical, Master Control in Atlanta is the last place a show goes before it leaves CNN Center on the way to your house, and the people who run those control rooms are captive audiences to everything that happens on our air. Master Control Operators make sure that shows like "News To Me" run on time and look good on TV.

As you might imagine, because they watch so much CNN, Master Controllers have very strong opinions about what's ON CNN. Jim is no exception. Jim also comes to work every morning at 5, which tends to make him a little edgy and sarcastic (a lot sarcastic actually), so keep that in mind while you read the following:

James Argendeli manning Headline News Master Control in Atlanta, GA

During the week of Thanksgiving, I received an interesting request delivered via e-mail. Among the countless contest-winning, new-job, meet-your-perfect-mate offers and all those OTHER "personal enhancement" emails (you know the ones I mean) – was a request to write a blog [entry] for the CNN Headline News show "News To Me." My first reaction was that somehow this had been mailed to me by accident. [Or] maybe [associate] producer Grayson Thagard had lost a bet and had to pick the most unlikely person to write a blog [entry] about this show.

I'm considered part of the technical crew, at least by title. In Master Control – the nerve center of the network - I run a replay of "News To Me" on Monday morning at the ungodly time of 5:30 a.m.

I used to moonlight at CNN.com where I wrote a column reviewing some amazing writers such as F. Paul Wilson, Stephen King, and Simon Clark.

Yes, that must be it. My words of wisdom were missed by the millions of people who bought those books by the aforementioned writers!

So I thought here is my chance for more worldwide fame.

"News To Me" with everyone’s favorite host Eric Lanford is the most awesome show ever!!!!!!!!!!!

That is it. It is all I have. I mean come on folks what do you want from me? Think about it. "News To Me" is a 21st century version of that 80’s NBC show "Real People." Except ["Real People"] had more hosts. In this modern day economy, I suppose Headline News can only afford one host. You [do] remember that show "Real People." Who am I kidding? Most of you who watch "News To Me" weren't even born by 1980.

Some of the video [on "News To Me"] showing actual news footage such as natural disasters and human-interest stories [is] important. Eric does seem interested in some of the people who put themselves [in the action] for their fifteen minutes of “free/unpaid” fame.

If you’re wondering how some of the lighter weight videos ever made it to air on a cable news show, just imagine the ones that didn’t. You think the "American Idol" wannabes sound bad. You should see what the producers have to sift through every day. They could come up with a whole other show [and] call it "People who have nothing better to do with their time."

I do not mean to come across as angry. After all, it is the time of year to put aside these thoughts and think of good will toward people. All right, I’ll try. Help out your community by volunteering at a food bank, clean up a community park, visit with an elderly home-bound, or even call your parents, and while you are at it spread the word to everyone you know to watch "News To Me."

And keep in mind that every Monday at 5:30 a.m., yours truly will be making sure all the technical planets are properly aligned and "News To Me" makes air yet again… while Eric is sleeping the dreamless sleep of a TV personality. Happy Holidays!

-James Argendeli