The huge interest in the murder trial of Casey Anthony swept the internet this afternoon, as jurors in the case announced their not guilty verdict on the most serious charges. CNN reports that during the 2 p.m.-3 p.m. hour when the verdict was announced, more than one million people were watching the network’s live stream from Orlando via CNN.com–an audience thirty times higher than the average audience over the last month.

The repercussions of comedian Gilbert Gottfried‘s insensitive tweets regarding the recent string of disasters in Japan seem to have no end. Almost immediately after, Gottfried lost his job as voice of the Aflac duck. And now, in what has been described as “the f***ing most terrifying video on CNN.com” there exists a video of aspirational voice over artists looking to replace Gottfried as the voice of the Aflac duck.

When I read on CNN.com that they had an article in which analysts describe how President Obama’s speech was written at a 10th-grade reading level and, therefore, went “over the heads” of most Americans, I was all ready to be outraged. How dare CNN besmirch the education level of my beloved US of A. However, when I read the article, I found it surprisingly interesting. After that, I found it depressing. Very, very depressing.

What an epic failure of a lead story on CNN.com right now.

“The risk of being an ‘angry black man,’” says the headline. The caption notes: “scholars say history has shown that African-American men can frighten white people if they display too much anger.” Oh dear.

The tea partiers have been called many things, but here’s one they were probably not expecting: “They are no different in 2010 than what MoveOn.org was in 1998.” That assessment comes from CNN columnist Roland Martin, who, while previously being outspoken against racist elements within the party, is now out to defend the group from claims that their behavior is un-American.

Boozy grandmas: where would we — nay, the American entertainment industry — be without them? In a thought-provoking meditation, CNN.com explores the monumental and possibly somewhat made-up trend of alcohol-fueled grandmothers suddenly pervading TV and movies.

What does the boozy grandma trend mean? You know, in sociological terms that are important to our society?

Last night we got a sneak peek of the new CNN.com at “The Unveiling” in the Time Warner Center theater. The site launches Monday, and looks very different from the current product.

The main takeaway – video, video, video.

Yesterday Mediaite TV Editor Steve Krakauer was on CNN.com discussing the blogosphere reaction to Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He was on with James Richardson from Skepticians.com.

Rep. Joe Wilson‘s outburst of “You lie” at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress Wednesday has created quite a media stir, and the way that this story unfolds reveal a lot about the health care debate and the odds for a bipartisan solution. But not everyone seems to feel that this is a lead story. Let’s take a look at how the websites for the cable news networks chose to cover the story:

In what many considered to be a shocking and embarrassing breach of decorum, a Republican House Member, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouted “You lie” at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress Wednesday. Democrats AND Republicans were quick to call out his eruption (bipartisanship at last!), and Wilson himself was quick to issue an apology. But on the strange world of the Internet, Joe Wilson’s scene appears to have made him an instant hero.

All day today, the #1 story on CNN.com’s “Popular News” section has been about Sherri Shepherd‘s breasts. More specifically, how fond of them she is.

We don’t fault CNN (actually, it’s a People story), but come on CNN.com readers! Anyway, here’s why she loves them so much.