CNN's Anderson Cooper was ranked number two on Out's "The Power 50, The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America"

Anointed an "emo-anchor" by The New York Observer for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, the rise of Anderson Cooper heralded the simultaneous demise of the Dan Rather-Tom Brokaw era of dry efficiency. Despite an unfortunate side trip into reality TV in 2001 as host of ABC's late, unlamented The Mole, his instincts have served him well: His annual salary at CNN was reportedly doubled this year, from $2 million to $4 million.

Thanks Out! Ruin all the snickering and guessing for us. Jerks.