Major news networks have eagerly promoted the first presidential debate tonight as entertainment: Bloomberg TV, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC all used similar metaphors, gushing that the debate will be like a football game or wrestling match.

Watch a compilation of clips:

The television news networks have treated the entire election a sporting event, replacing hard news and coverage of the issues with screaming matches between pundits and campaign surrogates. As we’ve reported, the broadcasting industry sees the election largely as an opportunity to make money through heightened ratings and campaign advertisements.

Not everyone is laughing.

“Despite what the media may think, this is not a night of entertainment. It’s not the Super Bowl, It’s not the World Series,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, when asked on CNN to opine about the “hardest part” about debating Hillary Clinton.

“Tonight,” Sanders said, chiding the host, “the American people are going to be looking at somebody who will have enormous power in influencing the direction of our country, 320 million people, and the rest of the world. And I hope that we focus on the issues, the differences between the candidates.”