A Flash Blogstorm?

Was someone at CNN trying to say something about Vice President Cheney or was the black X that appeared over his face during yesterday's speech a technical glitch? It depends on who you listen to.

The Drudge Report carries a screamer claiming, "CNN Flashes 'X' Over VP's Face During Live Speech." According to Drudge, the X "repeatedly" flashed over Mr. Cheney's face, "each time less than a second, creating an odd subliminal effect." Drudge also claims CNN has "launched an internal investigation" into the incident.

TVNewser carries CNN's explanation, quoting a spokesperson as saying, "upon seeing this unfortunate but very brief graphic, CNN senior management immediately investigated. 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."

And a "TVSpyer" gives Newser a more technical explanation: "Anyone who's been in TV for 5 minutes knows that the giant X on CNN is a black key frame the technical director uses to set the black level for animated keys and a cue point for animated keys. The X is at 7% black level and the background is at 0%. This is how the TD sets his key and how the tape op knows where to cue the tape. It accidentally went on air. Big deal. No conspiracy, no scandal."

The Dan Report carries several frames that purportedly help demonstrate the X was a glitch and Crooks and Liars links to it, calling the entire episode "just another made up conspiracy by Drudge."

Michelle Malkin chronicles both sides of the lengthy debate and The Political Teen acknowledges that, whatever the truth, "everyone got caught up in the hype of this event." Judging by the amount of blog discussion this generated, I'd say that's an understatement.