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CSI was very, very bad for Grey's Anatomy. The presidential election was very, very good to Saturday Night Live—again.

In the first big Thursday night of the fall season, a premiering CSI (23 million viewers) killed a declining Grey's Anatomy (14.5 million).

On an otherwise so-so night for NBC, a half-hour SNL election special was the network's most watched show (10.6 million), even without Tina Fey or Sarah Palin, who may (or may not) show up on Saturday's late-night show. 

Other highlights from the night of premieres, per Nielsen Media Research stats:

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AP Photo/Chris Miller; Lisa O'Connor/ZUMAPress.com

So, what happens if Sarah Palin does Sarah Palin?

With the TV world waiting to see if the Alaskan governor pops up on tonight's Saturday Night Live special, one new study says that when Tina Fey does Palin, the Alaskan governor's favorability rating drops. 

The poll, conducted yesterday by a research company and a college-based public-opinion institute, asked 314 people how they felt about Palin after watching snippets of SNL sketches spoofing the consonant-dropping vice presidential hopeful.

The results?

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When it comes to Sarah Palin and Saturday Night Live, "Will she or won't she?" is a fair question. "When will she?" is a better one.

Following the lead of the V.P. wannabe herself, SNL puppetmaster Lorne Michaels and Weekend Update anchor/head writer Seth Meyers made the media rounds this week, playing up the possibility that the political cameo to end all political cameos may just come to fruition.

But maybe not just yet.

"Of those specific rumors, there's no truth," Meyers told Newsday of the wishful thinking-fueled reports that Palin will face off against her portrayer Tina Fey on either the Saturday night staple or one of its upcoming prime-time specials.

"We do have an open-door policy, but there's nothing specific yet, but our window of opportunity is before the election...Our doors are always open."

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Given that Paris Hilton already has a common fashion bond with Republican V.P. nominee Sarah Palin, it only makes sense that the heiress would have some suggestions for the Alaska governor on how to dress during these last few weeks of the campaign.

"My advice to Sarah Palin is, you've got a hot bod; don't keep it to yourself," says Paris in the November issue of Harper's Bazaar. "Why wear a pantsuit when you can wear a swimsuit? Welcome to the Lower 48, girlfriend."

Paris, who just released a new video as part of her "run" for the highest office in the land, goes on to tell the mag that under a Hilton administration, she would equip the White House with an infinity pool, wear platform shoes while meeting foreign dignitaries "to accentuate [her] well-toned calves" and, instead of a cabinet, install "a giant walk-in closet."

Well, you certainly couldn't get more maverick than that, right?

AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Michelle Obama went on The Daily Show, and all we can say is...it was more entertaining than those two guys debating Tuesday night.

Newsworthy? Not really—maybe we should have watched her on Larry King Live, instead—but then we might have missed out on Jon Stewart's debate recap. But she did talk about her husband, Sen. Barack Obama, and Gov. Sarah Palin and Cindy McCain.

What did you think: Was it just another episode of Liberal Media Filter TV™ or a fun look at a candidate's wife (without all the The View-style arguing)?

Anthony Jacobs/Getty Images

No Sarah Palin, no problem.

The John McCain-Barack Obama title card pulled in 63.2 million viewers last night, the biggest audience for a presidential debate since 1992, Nielsen Media Research said late today.

Like many sequels, the new show handily outgrossed the original. McCain-Obama II was watched by nearly 11 million more people than the first debate on Sept. 26 (52.4 million).

Also, like many sequels, the reviews weren't great. 

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Quicker than you can say jambalaya, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their crew dashed in—and out—of the Big Easy. 

After popping into New Orleans a couple of days ago, the family has already touched down again in France, apparently catching a red-eye flight Tuesday evening. But while speedy, friends of the dynamic duo say the couple had a very specific purpose for their N'Awlins visit. 

"First, Brad wanted to check on the progress of the houses being built in the Ninth Ward," says a New Orleans activist, referring to the low-income neighborhood devastated by Katrina and being rebuilt with the help of Brad's charity, Make It Right. About 90 houses are under construction, but Brad hopes to increase the number to 150 total.

But that's not all…

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The Foo Fighters have taken a break from their hiatus to announce that John McCain is not their hero.

The Grammy-winning rockers have issued a statement demanding the GOP presidential contender stop using their 1998 hit "My Hero" at campaign rallies—saying they don't approve his message.

"This isn't the first time the McCain campaign has used a song without making any attempt to get approval or permission from the artist. It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property," the Foos said in a statement.

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After last night's rather lackluster debate, it's understandable if many voters remain undecided. Fortunately, Paris Hilton has just released a new video to remind us all she's still in the running.

In this follow-up to to her initial campaign ad, the woman who could very well become our next president looks for guidance from a certain former fake commander in chief but ends up teaching him a thing or two about such hot-buttton issues as the economy, the war in Iraq and even Fo-Po.

Fo-Po? Watch and you'll understand, bitches.

Virginia Sherwood /NBC; Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Yes, it was a Dancing With the Stars night, but many made time to watch Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama bicker debate the merits of their policies, plans and potential presidencies.

Tell us how you think it went down.