There may be no better evidence how interchangeable cable TV news outlets see some black leaders.

During an interview yesterday, MSNBC anchor Contessa Brewer introduced the Rev. Jesse Jackson as Rev. Al Sharpton, presumably because she was reading a script prepared by a producer who had mistakenly put Sharpton's name instead of Jacksons.

It's a mistake which unfortunately evokes all the awful stereotypes about black folks looking alike. But beyond that, it also references cable TV's reflexive habit of going to the same, attention-getting black activist celebrities whenever they talk about certain issues.

It was something I experienced during the controversy over shock jock Don Imus' stereotypical comments about Rutgers University's women's basketball team.

In many interviews, I was asked by radio and TV hosts why Sharpton, who led the criticism against Imus, was anointed a spokesman for what black people found offensive in media.

I asked them to ask their producers why they felt compelled to constantly feature these guys when they complained about something.

If cable TV would pay attention to other black leaders when they talked about problems, then Sharpton and Jackson wouldn't be seen as the only black activists who can get the media's attention.

Far as I can remember, no one ever actually had that conversation on air.

Here's the video of Brewer's gaffe: