It was a nice fall day in late September, and I was given a task. Not a typical coffee run that would send most interns into a noticeable grimace. This one was a bit unusual.

The objective: go to Kelsey Grammer’s apartment and obtain photos for his interview later that day. So, I flagged down the next taxi to start my quest.

Once I got to the front desk, I told the security guard that I was sent from CNN and "Piers Morgan Tonight" to obtain photos from Mr. Grammer for his interview. I sat for a few minutes and the guard told me to go up the elevator. When the elevator doors opened, lo and behold, the prolific actor emerges with a warm smile and says, “Hi, I’m Kelsey.” I said, “Nice to meet you Kelsey. I’m Morkeh.” After some light banter, I secured the photos and hopped into the nearest taxi across the street to head back to the office. Not too shabby for an intern in his first week.

I had the opportunity to learn about the intricacies of a prime time news show from lively story inception and administrative meetings, to expositions of research and obtaining photo and video materials. A method that comes to mind instinctively is a process where one records clips from the internet and transfers to a digital server, called webrolls. There were plenty of those: webrolls, webrolls, and guess what – webrolls with a side of guest packets sometimes. (Thanks, especially the guys and ladies working the ingests queue on the fourth floor. I’m sure I annoyed the hell out of all of you, especially Larry.) Then there was sitting in the control room and observing the controlled madness that occurs in a live show while I skillfully work the prompter with surprisingly little backlash (Thanks Piers for being patient with me).

I even got to contribute to the shows blog for big stories such as the capture and death of Moammar Ghadafi and the Conrad Murray trial verdict.

Admittedly, it wasn’t all bliss, but in the moments of traditional internship work, I found solace. Mozart, a website to log show music, ensured that I watched each show very closely for time codes. I am a pro at making DVDs and sending them off to guests. I can now recall the script word for word from the Jeb Bush interview and I can recall which of the photos I picked out that got used on the show (thanks).

Through it all, I have enjoyed every moment and I am extremely lucky to have had this opportunity. I will miss the hundreds of emails I receive on Outlook daily, and the unusual opportunities. From heading to a toy store to retrieve the 90’s classic Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots for a Manny Pacquiao promotion to receiving the glorious opportunity to sit at the coveted ‘table’ when most of the crew was out (thanks).

I often had this question put on me during my time here: 'Did you learn anything?' Even though it was meant as a workplace joke, looking back I say definitely. I have learned many tools of the trade that will guide me though journalistic endeavors and life in general. This experience definitely strengthened my interest in journalism and gave me new light on the nuances of broadcast and the culture of "Piers Morgan Tonight" as a show (I know I got clowned for my shirt and tie on the first week, thanks) and CNN itself.

As I wrap up my time as an intern for Piers Morgan Tonight, a few noticeable words flash in my mind: 'All good things must come to an end.'

I am one to believe that not only is this nauseatingly cliche, but it is incorrect. There are good times ahead. My time here with the 'Piers Morgan Tonight' crew was a mix of unusual spontaneity and healthy development that I will cherish dearly. I would like to extend a huge thank you for taking me under your wing and good luck to everyone on the crew (shout-out to the string of weddings that are about to take place soon). I would like to especially thank my partner in crime Andy Apuy for helping me out along the way and working through the intern grind with me. I believe that I learned much more from all of you than you possibly learned from me. It has been a great few months, and who knows, maybe I’ll see you guys at CNN sometime in the future.

But in another part of the interview, Wood says Morgan and the media are "participating in the deterioration of the political process." What do you think?

Watch their full hour with Piers tonight 9pmET/PT.

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For December 2, 2011 – The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.6%, Herman Cain to meet with wife amid affair claims, Hanson releases MMMHop beer...

• U.S. economy gained 120,000 jobs in November: “Hiring picked up in November, and the unemployment rate plummeted. Employers added 120,000 jobs in November, the Labor Department reported Friday, marking a pick-up in hiring from October. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 8.6%, as more people returned to the workforce, while others dropped out altogether."

• Herman Cain to meet with wife: “Presidential hopeful Herman Cain will meet Friday with his wife to discuss the future of his campaign and allegations that he had a 13-year affair with another woman. In what has been the most definitive statement yet that he could end his campaign amid falling poll numbers and financial contributions, Cain told the editorial board of the New Hampshire Union Leader on Thursday that he was considering dropping out of the race, but for now was continuing to meet all campaign commitments."

• Republican leaders shifting stance on payroll tax cut: “A top Republican leader agreed Thursday with President Barack Obama and Democrats that extending the payroll tax cut would help the economy, but the parties remained divided over how to pay for the move. Later Thursday, the Senate blocked competing Democratic and Republican proposals from moving forward, setting up negotiations on a possible compromise."

• Stocks get a boost: "U.S. stocks opened with big gains Friday, after the government's closely-watched jobs report showed a bigger-than-expected boost in payrolls last month. The Dow Jones industrial average added 86 points, or 0.7%, the S&P 500 gained 9 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq rose 21 points, or 0.8%.

• Hanson to release MMMHop beer: “Who says there’s no place for Hanson at the bar? The '90s pop trio, famous for their long locks and the hit tune MMMBop, is in the process of expanding their brand (yes, they have a brand) with their own beer: MMMHop. The India Pale Ale – to be made available in 2012 – will join Zac, Taylor and Isaac's other merchandise, which includes a board game and a record player."

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Says Wood: "You are participating in the deterioration of the political process."

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Jones also talks about Michael Jackson's undeniable skill: "When you sound like that and you dance like that what choice do you have?" she says. "You have to give it to everybody." Tune in at 9pm ET tonight for the full interview.

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Said Sixx: "I didn't have a family then, the band was the only family I had. I didn't want to throw the band away, the music away for that, it wasn't worth it." Watch tonight at the end of the show at 9pmET/PT for a special announcement from the band.

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Today, Thursday, December 1, 2011 is World AIDS Day. As we reflect on how far we have come in battling the disease medically and how we perceive the disease socially, how far do we need to go?

Piers Morgan talked to NBA Hall of Fame inductee Ervin "Magic" Johnson Monday, who is experiencing his own 20 year anniversary with HIV. Johnson, among others living with HIV, is fortunate to have the medical resources developed to battle the disease. Though there are medical resources available there is still work to be done in providing treatment to people who are not currently receiving treatment.

Since the early days of AIDS, activism has been the strongest force in the agent of change for the disease from Cleve Jones and the production of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to Bono and his ONE and Product(RED) campaigns to students on college campuses around the country voicing opinions, organizing walks, or conducting phone-ins to make sure that the disease is on the minds of the general public. AIDS is as much a part of the consciousness of society as it is a part of pop culture. Nonetheless, amidst all of the media attention and star power surrounding AIDS, one must be careful not to make the disease a caricature of itself and dilute the true purpose of advocacy. If we continue to progress positively as we have in the past 30 years, there is no reason why the slogan of this year's World AIDS Day "Getting to Zero" cannot truly become a reality.

Also on the show was Rick Santorum, who talked about the Cain allegations:

Said Santorum of Cain: "This is a very tough business...we pray for Herman, as we do for every other candidate."

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For December 1, 2011 – Egyptians await initial results in the country's first elections since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, 402,000 initial U.S. jobless claims were filed in November, Adele gets six Grammy nods...

• Egypt awaits results after historic election: “Initial results of Egypt's first parliamentary elections since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak are due as early as Thursday. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Al Noor Salafi Muslim Party - both Islamist parties - claimed a lead in ballot counting, but election officials have been tight-lipped about any results."

• Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits rise again: “The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose again last week to their highest level in a month. There were 402,000 initial jobless claims filed in the week ended Nov. 26, the Labor Department said Thursday. That was up 6,000 from the week before and marked the highest level since the week of Oct. 22.”

• Cain blasts critics for 'character assassination': “A defiant Herman Cain tried to turn the tables on his growing legion of critics and accusers Wednesday, blasting them for allegedly engaging in gutter politics and giving no indication of any immediate intent to abandon his embattled presidential campaign. Cain's unorthodox campaign has been under siege in the wake of a string of accusations relating to alleged sexual harassment.”

• Investors take a breather: "U.S. stocks were poised to open little changed Thursday, as investors took a breather following the Dow's biggest gains since 2009. On Wednesday, all three major stock indexes closed the session more than 4% higher. The Dow's 489-point gain is the largest of 2011, and the best percentage gain since March 2009."

• Adele favored among Grammy nominees: “Even though Kanye West walked off with the most Grammy nominations Wednesday night, the chatter backstage was all about Adele. West's seven nominations was one more than that of the 23-year-old British songstress. And she was the clear favorite among many of the artists to take home the most trophies at next February's awards show.”

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