Apparently, NBC never liked the Grumpy Old Men movies. Mike Gravel will not be allowed to participate in the next Democratic debate, scheduled for October 30th in Philadelphia. NBC News political director Chuck Todd, a man whose two first names are rivaled only by Ron Paul, explained that Gravel did not meet the polling or fundraising requirements necessary for the forum, which is unsurprising given that the former Alaska senator might not even have enough money for the plane flight to get there.

As much as we'll all miss Gravel's flippant comments and general curmudgeonry, at least this will allow him to spend more time chasing children off his lawn with a cane.