D.J. Hughley's October 25 premier of "Break The News" on CNN struck gold. Not only did he get former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan to come out with his endorsement of Barack Obama, he peppered his show with lots of satiric skits that addressed the "race issue" in our country with refreshing directness and disarming humor. He poked fun of nearly everybody, interviewing, for example, in vintage CNN style (think a black Anderson Cooper), a slick fat-cat pimp as CEO of a failing investment bank.

He pulled a few Lenos with good effect, interviewing mostly white people on the street about their political views--and getting in return lots of duhs and ahhhs and not much insight. And he ran a few skits--also satirical--including one modeled on the Jews Vote's Great Schlep, a call for young Jews to descend on Florida and get their Jewish grandparents to vote for Barack Obama. In Hughley's skit, a black female maid tries similar moves on her elderly white (Jewish) employer, with Hughly paying mediator. It's very SNL meets Letterman.

Hughley plays the race card to satiric effect in this show--and if it continues, which I hope it does, it will no doubt reshape CNN's weekend format. CNN has an impressive recruitment record of recruiting talented African-Americans--including broadcasters T.J. Holmes and Don Lemon, and political analysts Donna Brazile and Roland Martin. Add Hugely to this impressive list and slot him under--what? entertainment? satire? comedy?

Nah. Let's slot him under news breaks.