Highlights of Alessandra Stanley‘s coverage recap:

> “Throughout the night, cable news anchors repeatedly assured viewers that for deep-rooted cultural reasons, the Iraqi public would need to see a videotape of Saddam Hussein’s execution — as if implying that left to their own devices, the anchors would prefer to just flash a photocopy of the death certificate.”

> “After devoting his entire hour on CNN to the impending hanging, Larry King asked, ‘Is there something ghoulish about this?’ Mr. King looked a little let down when he had to sign off before the execution, promising viewers, ‘It is really imminent now.’”

> “Before the first pictures arrived, some anchors fretted on air about whether they could be shown. CNN’s Anderson Cooper seemed most worried about the content… Fox was much less squeamish, pumping up the Friday night vigil with graphics that promised ‘The end is near!’ and ‘Date with Death’ and urging viewers to stay tuned to Fox News.”

> Also: More Saddam coverage recaps: Variety and The Hollywood Reporter…

(Photo via ICN)