Hooks with DB or other solution

[eluser]CI miller[/eluser]
I don't see the problem here. It is a good practice to use ob_start() and instead of echo-ing line by line to send to the client all content at once. I think CI uses that. All you have to do is "include" one file. Sure it breaks the MVC model but I don't see any point in trying to find o solutions just for the beauty of the MVC model. The MVC pattern is here to help you not impose you restrictions.

Just ask yourself: what would be the difference for the user (bandwith? processing time? visible changes on the layout?) if you would try to solve that problem using a clean MVC solution? I think none. So why bother?