It pays to have friends in the TV business! One of my former co-workers now works at CNN in Atlanta and offered to give us a tour while we were in town.  The big news nerd in me knew that was too good to pass up!

It was a Saturday, and things were pretty slow.  But we did get to see the control rooms in action and it was just so impressive!

I had no idea the CNN Center used to be a theme park – but seriously, I”m not surprised.  The inside is so impressive to look at.  It also houses a multi-story escalator, which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest freestanding (supported only at its ends) escalator in the world.

While you wouldn’t be able to get the special friend tour of CNN, they do offer tours for the public available at a small cost.  If you are a news junkie, I would think it’s totally worth it!

Brendan has already nailed the “being talent” portion of the job.

The boys in front of CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.

I mean – how amazing does this look?

CNN En Espanol

Patrick’s big prize from the cartoon network store.

Your future news anchor, Patrick.

Hanging out with Christina, a former producer of mine here in Orlando!

This Humvee was used by Anderson Cooper.

He’s got the whole world….

Working away at the CNN Weather Center.

Me in front of the mothership at CNN headquarters.

The main control room at CNN.

Patrick freaked when he found the Cartoon Network store!

Inside the CNN Center.

So….many….monitors. This is where all the producers, editors, etc. sit inside the CNN Newsroom.

Inside one of the CNN Studios.

I may have been very excited for the CNN Tour!

Brendan, on set at CNN.

The boys hanging out at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.

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