Hangout with Anderson Cooper! You’re invited to the AC360 Google+ Hangout this Thursday. Anderson, Isha Sesay, Randi Kaye and Producer Jack Gray will be answering your questions.

What do you want to ask? Post your questions and go to the AC360 Google+ page on May 10 at 6:45 p.m. ET to watch them live.

Anderson Cooper 360° interns Taylor Cannon and Terek Pierce take you behind the scenes for a CNN vocab lesson.

For our executive producer's birthday, we surprised him with memories of his college rock days, a token of his favorite band, cake, and lunch from a highfalutin eatery. Go behind the scenes as the AC360° staff redecorates in honor of our fearless leader, Charlie Moore.

As a gift from the show's staff, AC360's floor director, Kevin, does his best Gumby impression. We also added a cake, Twinkies, Ring Dings and Yodels to top it off.

There's never a dull moment around here, but throw costumes and competition into the mix and the newsroom is downright hilarious. The Halloween contest was a first for our staff, but definitely not the last time we'll be shamelessly chasing after an extra vacation day and a bucket of chocolate. Go behind the scenes for a glimpse of why this TV family keeps things interesting. Happy Halloween from Anderson Cooper and AC360°!

Congratulations to Zaid! He dressed as a mini Anderson Cooper, and his Halloween costume was featured on AC360°

Roman Polanski, 2009

Bruce Crumley/ Paris
Time

Although the cultural divide between Europe and the U.S. has narrowed over the years, the legal fate of director Roman Polanski shows there are still major differences. Polanski's arrest in Switzerland on Sept. 26 was greeted with satisfaction in the U.S., where authorities hope he will face sentencing for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Europeans, meanwhile, are shocked and dismayed that an internationally acclaimed artist could be jailed for such an old offense.

"To see him thrown to the lions and put in prison because of ancient history — and as he was traveling to an event honoring him — is absolutely horrifying," French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand said after Polanski was arrested upon arrival in Switzerland to attend the Zurich Film Festival, where he was to receive a lifetime achievement award. "There's an America we love and an America that scares us, and it's that latter America that has just shown us its face." In comments that appeared to be directed at Swiss and American authorities to free Polanski, Mitterrand added that both he and French President Nicolas Sarkozy hoped for a "rapid resolution to the situation which would allow Roman Polanski to rejoin his family as quickly as possible."

(Read "Redeeming Roman Polanski.")

FULL POST

Editor's Note: After last night's AC360°, many of you wrote in to say that you were excited about the prospect of change with this new administration. Some of you think that former President Bush’s trickle-down economy did not work and hope that President Obama tries out a trickle-up economic approach. Many of you wrote to say that you enjoyed the sneak peek of the Air Force One National Geographic special. We also heard from those of you who appreciated Erica Hill and David Gergen's postings on the AC360° blog – making it a truly interactive show. What's your take?
____________________________________________________________________________________

Love the Air Force One sneak peek. Will DVR it most likely. Great contemplative pictures of President Obama by the photographer..........

The Republicans have tried the 'top down' method for the last 8 years and look where it has gotten us? The more the top got, the greedier they got. The people have spoken – it's time to give Obama's plan a chance by approving the proposed economic recovery plan that combines bottom up and top down! Go, Obama!

FULL POST

Editor's Note: Following Wednesday night’s AC360°, our viewers wrote to us about the “re-do” of the Presidential swearing in. Many felt that having it occur without media presence was the right choice. Some of you also emailed us their opinions about Carolyn Kennedy dropping out of the senate race. And of course, Anderson’s statement that people would not see him dancing opened the door to many requests that he dance on the show. Here’s some of what we saw, and we’d love your thoughts as well:
___________________________________________________________________________________

Your own commentators are correct. The talk about retaking the oath is ridiculous. A “circus"; leave it alone. No wrongdoing has occurred. Just because the media wasn't invited to the redo is not a reason to create news.

I think the press wasn't invited to witness the oath out of President Obama's respect for Chief Justice Roberts and his desire to spare the Chief Justice any further embarrassment.

In the picture from Obama's second swearing in, his hand is not on the Bible. Is that not another mistake?

FULL POST

Program Note: Tune in to CNN where we'll be broadcasting live all weekend and Monday and Tuesday.

Kay Jones
AC360° Coordinating Editorial Producer

It’s cold here. There’s not any other way to describe DC right now. Any walking around the area must be accompanied by heavy outerwear, and trust me, even that isn’t enough. For the 360 faithful, it’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve in Times Square, but it’s pretty close.

If you are watching our air today, you’ll see Anderson, Wolf, Soledad, David Gergen, John King & Roland Martin on the set. The area they are sitting is covered, but it’s open. They are bundled up and during commercial breaks, they head to the closest heaters to try and get some warmth. The crew, however, is covered from head to toe, and I don’t even know who is behind the camera because I can only see their eyes through their hats, scarves, etc. Even though I haven’t heard any complaints, I can see on their faces that this isn’t the most pleasant experience ever.

FULL POST

The inaugural committee will set up 28,000 chairs for ticket holders to watch Barack Obama's swearing-in.

Jackie Puskas
AC360° Editorial Producer

Hi all, we here at AC360° are looking forward to bringing you all the momentous and moving moments of the inauguration events over the next 5 days!

I am an editorial producer for AC360° heading to DC on Monday to make sure our contributors and guests are where they should be when they should be next week. It should be quite a challenge given what we’re hearing about the crowds, security and locations!

I have the added bonus of getting to see my sister, Beth Puskas, who is an equestrian instructor and jumping coach with Culver Academies, ride with her students in her second parade. They have quite an interesting story! This is the FIFTEENTH time they have participated in an Inaugural Parade – the first was in 1913 honoring Woodrow Wilson.

FULL POST