CNN unveils new virtual toys

Help me Wolf Blitzer, you’re our only hope.

CNN debuted a new hologram interview on Election Night that placed a field correspondent virtually in the middle of the newsroom.

“We’re going to do something that’s never been done on television before,” Blitzer said. “You have never seen anything like this.”

Correspondent Jessica Yellin, captured by 35 high definition cameras in Chicago, appears virtually before him, with purple squiggly highlighter lines around her figure.

“It’s like I’ve followed the tradition of Princess Leia,” she said.

Blitzer noted he can talk to a remote correspondent without the pesky interference of bystanders.

But doesn’t isolating a reporter make shooting on location sort of pointless?

“You’re a terrific hologram, thanks very much,” Blitzer said.

CNN also debuted another new toy. The network that popularized the touchscreen election map unveils -- "Drumroll please," Campbell Brown said -- the "Virtual Capitol."

This is a digital image of the U.S. Capitol building rising out of a tabletop platform in the middle of CNN's studio set. The various Senate seats that are up for grabs hover over the building.

"If you can see this at home, we can't even see it here," John King said.

Like most sequels, the Virtual Capitol is largely pointless, but with better special effects.

Fox News is rolling out similar features tonight, with its version of the Capitol dubbed the "Balance of Power." More on this topic, including virtual features on the broadcast networks.

THR's ongoing team reporting on Election Day's media coverage.