Harvey and Irma, in addition to wreaking havoc to our southern states, brought blundering field reporters from their dark abysses of self-importance (see Trump Rallies Crowd in Texas. CNN’s Jim Acosta Complains About Trump Noting Crowd Size. and CNN Hopes for MORE Political Polarization After Harvey?). While hurricane victims were focused on recovery, CNN was hosting back-slapping parties where they toasted their own pompous selves.

There's cake.

After a summer of self-doubt and bad headlines, CNN sources say they now feel vindicated as correspondents, producers, and star anchors cover Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and their aftermaths. They describe a rejuvenated newsroom enjoying reporting on a huge, non-political story (one that, importantly, still secures big ratings) — even if the political story of President Trump’s every action could return at any moment, and likely will.

“It hasn't taken all the heat off of us, but it's definitely helped dial back the ‘fake news’ rhetoric from our critics,” said one CNN reporter.

Well thank the heavens and stars above us! CNN FINALLY has a moment to stop sprinting across fields of rakes. Rakes they air dropped on themselves in their own night raids. But okay.

One problem. The hurricanes actually showed CNN producers are attention whores with God complexes. Here's a refresher:

There are full stories behind those clips (see CNN Anchors Laud CNN Crew for Helping Harvey Victims in an EMBARRASSING Display of Self-Congratulation…). And who could forget this one?

Embarrassing (see WATCH: Harvey Survivor Unloads on Opportunistic CNN Reporter). But CNN is using copious amounts of white-out to try and repair their soiled coverage.

“We got hit a little bit for our live shots,” said another CNN reporter. “Covering this around the clock is our sweet spot and sort of reaffirms something I think all of us have been doubting lately — whether people still turn to us in times like this. I think everyone is happy to be off politics all the time for a while.”

Wow. A multi-billion dollar news corporation uses reporters to do their jobs. Great work, CNN.

Also, when people say "The media loves hurricane season" this is why those people say those things. Becuase the media loves hurricane season. They cannot wait for natural catastrophes, human sob stories, and reporting from howling winds and driving rains. SUCH BRAVERY. Did you watch CNN cover Hurricane Irma? Because I saw snippets. They were salivating over the impending chaos, destruction, and despair. Hoping for Irma to be a swirling rain daemon devouring all of Florida. Why? FOR TEH RATINZ!

Please note I used "TEH" on purpose. Halt your "typo" hate tweets, grammar nazis.

Even after the hurricanes passed, CNN is cracking its own back to slap itself. If it wasn't so funny it might be embarrassing. Ah, hell. It's embarrassingly funny. The adverb is warranted.

The accusation of fake news comes too easily. But FAKE NEWS.

Co-written by Nichole Cooper and Courtney Kirchoff

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