Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty ImagesThe votes are being counted. The candidates—that'd be President Barack Obama for the Democrats and Mitt Romney for the Republicans—are anxiously awaiting the results. And America is glued to the TV to see whether the politician they picked will end up in the White House.
Between CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and countless other channels, there's plenty of coverage to watch. But since you're only one person, we don't expect you to be able to keep up with everything. Which is why we're helping you keep up with the best and worst of Election Night.
Most Missed Hologram: "People keep tweeting me and asking me: "what are you guys going to do this year to top 2008 #hologram???" will.i.am tweeted to Anderson Cooper and CNN. And we agree! We're seriously missing the Black Eyed Peas frontman's dance-savvy hologram that stole the show four years ago. We couldn't even get that TuPac hologram from Coachella this year? Anderson?
Worst Pundit Sound Bites: Courtesy of Bill O'Reilly. Pick your jaws up off the floor, people, I know you must be terribly shocked. The Fox News talking head ranted that, if Obama wins, it's because "it's not a traditional America anymore" and that "the white establishment is now the minority." All before saying blaming a Romney loss on Hurricane Sandy. We'll give you a moment to roll your eyes.
Best Election Night Face: It's a toss up between Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow. We love you two! But is anyone else suffering a serious lack of Andy on that CNN broadcast?
Most Stressfully Awesome Electoral Map: While most viewers are at home watching various states light up red or blue as the polls close, New Yorkers have a special (and, we must say, pretty!) treat: The top of the Empire State building has red and blue lights that light up two sides of the tower and display the candidate's respective electoral votes. Like a really, really fancy bar graph! All together now, "Ooooh!"
The Return of Sarah Palin: The Alaskan governor turned V.P. candidate turned reality-TV star turned...uh...We're not exactly positive what Sarah Palin's official job title is these days but she popped up on Fox News tonight when Romney was down in electoral votes to voice her hope that "things can turn around." But really we think she just wanted to show off her new, even higher hair. Lookin' fab, S.P.!
The Great Diane Sawyer Mystery: The newswoman was front and center on ABC's coverage, but viewers couldn't help but comment tweet she seemed a bit, well, let's just say more relaxed than usual. Why don't you just head on over to Twitter and do a search of "Diane Sawyer" to see what all the buzz is about.
What Is Going On in Florida?! That's the question on every American's mind, it seems. We love you, Florida. We love your beaches, we love Disney World, we'd love to hang out with all you Floridians in Miami, if you'll have us. But what is going on in your polling stations? We're white knuckling it over here! Oh well, we'll try again in 2016.
Best Mitt Romney Jab: Comes courtesy of Jon Stewart on The Daily Show's Democalypse 2012. While running down the electoral vote projections so far, Stewart quipped. "We can call it. Mitt Romney has won most of the Confederacy."
Best Joe Biden Jab: While reporting from Obama's celebration in Chicago, Daily Show correspondent Jessica Williams poked fun at the seemingly endless fundraising emails that Camp Obama sent out during the campaign. Jessica received an email on camera and read it to viewers: "'Hey girl, it's Joe Biden. Can I borrow $15. You know? For some hot wings.' A standard Joe Biden email."
Most Shameless Movie Synergy: Notice how, like, every other commercial was the Lincoln trailer? Well, Lincoln is a movie about politics! And Election Night is all about politics! So if you like this election coverage you'll love Lincoln! See Lincoln! Lincoln! (You sly devil, Steven Spielberg.)
Longest Standoff to Admit Defeat: While it was a tie between Romney and Fox News Channel for a while, Romney has since conceded (and with quite the respectable, admirable and brief speech). Fox News, well, we're not so sure. Last we checked, we think Karl Rove had his fingers in his ears yelling "Nah, nah, nah! I can't hear you!"
One Final Thought: Courtesy of the wise Ms. Maddow, "To decide that a result isn't a result as long as you don't like the outcome is something that means that we cannot work together as a country anymore. And we can't go down this road very much further."
We are, after all, the United States. So let's shake hands, slap each other on the butt (basketball style), say job well done and come together as a country.