The set of CNBC’s Squawk Box was transformed into what looked like New Jersey’s newest Home Depot. Store founders Ken Langone and Bernie Marcus sat in as guest anchors this morning.



Before the Home Depot decor segment, Langone and Marcus along with CNBC’s anchors conducted a lengthy interview with Home Depot CEO Frank Blake, his first TV interview.



In the context of today’s New York Times’ story on product placement, CNBC anchors in Home Depot aprons may raise some eyebrows. A CNBC spokesperson tells us Home Depot did not pay for product placement, and it was the final, therefore lighter, portion of the show. It also comes on a week when business leaders are helping fill in while Carl Quintanilla and Becky Quick are on vacation.