I’m guessing the good folks at CNBC are more than slightly concerned that the recent agreement between California’s governor and legislative leaders could kill interest in their special tonight, the production of which probably cost them dearly and has likely been in the works for weeks, if not months.

I’m guessing this concern is prevelant at the network because we received an email from NBC Universal this afternoon (CNBC’s parent), “explaining” that the aforementioned agreement:

… hardly means the problems facing the nation’s most populist state are in the rearview mirror.

Of course they’re not. In fact, on the related page of CNBC’s Web site, we’re told the following, which seems to be most effective when read out loud, in the deepest, most sinister tones of that guy who does the voice overs for dramatic movie trailers:

California is on the verge of an economic meltdown. The state, with the second highest foreclosure rate in the nation, is being hammered by the deep recession, rising unemployment and a growing multi-billion dollar budget deficit.

… The ramifications of a financial failure here will affect the entire US economy as well as companies and investors worldwide. And, while California may be the biggest state in trouble, it isn’t alone.

(Cue orchestral flurry in D minor.)