Rachel Maddow promises to stir things up with her new MSNBC show

Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s newest host, giddily contemplated what her show will look like when it debuts on the cable news network on Sept. 8.

“Live audience. Live punk band. You know, mariachis for important segues,” she joked with Keith Olbermann Tuesday evening during an appearance on his program to announce her new gig.

No matter what form her show takes, there’s no question that the 35-year-old will cut a different figure than most of her cable brethren. An openly gay woman, unapologetic liberal and Rhodes scholar with a doctorate from Oxford University, Maddow has drawn a passionate following during her stint this year as an analyst for MSNBC.

Network executives are now trying to capitalize on her rising popularity, hoping that she will further their efforts to remake MSNBC as the destination for lively political news and analysis.

MSNBC officially announced today that it was replacing Dan Abrams’s program “Verdict” in the 6 p.m. PT time slot with “The Rachel Maddow Show.”

"Rachel is unbelievably talented and brilliant; her breadth and depth of knowledge of politics and news is astonishing and I'm so excited to give her a place to really showcase what she can do," said MSNBC President Phil Griffin said in a statement.

Abrams, who served as general manager of the channel for a period, will continue in his role as chief legal correspondent for NBC News, making additional contributions to “Dateline” and “Today,” and anchor on MSNBC during the day.

"Dan is the best legal analyst in the business,” Griffin said. “Our prime time focus is now politics, so this move will enable Dan to focus on what he does best.”

Abrams graciously called the decision “absolutely the right call.”

“I look forward to my future success at NBC News," he said in a statement released by the network.

Maddow’s appointment is another indication of how MSNBC is embracing the political left in a quest for ratings. The strategy, driven largely by the success of Olbermann’s denunciations of the Bush Administration, has left NBC News open to criticism from Republicans who complain that the channel’s coverage is unfair.

But liberals were jubilant at the news of Maddow’s appointment. On the website Daily Kos, where Olbermann broke the news Tuesday in a “fully authorized leak,” one commenter posted a poem in her honor, calling her “the Everlasting Progressive, the Princess of News.”

Maddow, who will continue hosting her daily radio program on Air America, said she plans to make her new television program more than a political forum.

“We’ll do weird news from far away,” she told Olbermann. “I have weird obsessions that will probably make it onto the show. I’m obsessed with the Iraqi national soccer team. I think there’s a lot of domestic crime committed by naked men that needs a lot extra coverage.”

“We still haven’t defined the role of America in a post-Soviet world, let alone a post-9/11 world,” she added more seriously. “There’s so much going on between the election and the goofy that is neither. And I think after the election in part it’s going to be a little bit of a relief to have the whole wide world to cover, rather than just the election to chew on.”

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[Devin D]

Matthews followed by Olbermann followed by Maddow? WTF!?

First, you boot Tucker, who was a balanced follow-up to Matthews, but now you take out Abrams, who wasn't great but was a fair guy. Maddow is simply not talented enough.

Might not be watching MSNBC so much, they are the opposite of Fox now... unashamedly liberal. Morning Joe and Hardball are still two of the best on television though.

What would Tim Russert say about his network? My opinion is that his reputation is getting trashed with an increasingly liberal line up.

Maddow, "Race for the Whitehouse"... you have got to be kidding me. Terrible ideas. MSNBC ratings for these hours will be interesting to see.

[Traci]

I absolutely love Dan and I watched him faithfully. I will really miss him. MSNBC does repeat shows, so I do not understand why they could not put Rachel (who I do like and respect) in another time slot. Oh well, I wish Dan nothing but the best and hope to see him on another show soon!!!!! Dan you rock!!!!!

[Gary Croft]

As much as I admire and respect Rachel Maddow, and believe she has earned the right to her own show, I'm dismayed to learn she has supplanted Dan Abrams, who is an exceptional talent in his own right and one of the brightest lights on television. Maddow is excellent, but I wouldn't put her ahead of Abrams.

[Chris]

Rachel Maddow, Oh please, is this the best MSNBC can do???? I've accepted Olbermen (although don't watch him) because I've concluded he must have something on some higher ups--or own a big share in MSNBC or soemthing---in other words the network is most likely stuck with him???. The guy is a talent less buffoon!!!!!! I use to watch Dan, like many posters have said--at least Dan wasn't shoving his agenda down your throat, which we can certainly expect from ms. rachel!!!

[elizabeth of colorado]

I have tuned in for the past two nights. The show met my expectations in that it has a leftward slant which is fine. All the guests have the same opinion as the host which makes for pretty boring television. Why doesn't she have someone from the other side on and debate them? That would make for a much more interesting show. I suspect that Ms. Maddow is fearful about going one on one with someone who may not agree with her. She should rename the show the Rachel Maddow Echo Chamber.

[byenial]

I had to put the remote in another room and force myself to watch a half hour of this hate-filled, biased show. Rachel Maddow should not unpack her bags, because she will not be staying long on this show. Pat Buchanan really put it to her with her nonsense about Governor Palin and her "raising taxes" and "trouble with her ex brother in law".........an abusive trooper..........no one cares about that stupid small stuff and it is old already.......she's running scared like the rest of the left wing out there............

[HEATHER]

GO RACHEL! It's about time the oil industry is called out -- while that industry + Dick Cheny + Sarah Palin decide more profits and drilling, there goes the nation. Vote Obama/ Biden!

[elizabeth of colorado]

Heather,
Where to anticipate we get our power? My husband has a PhD in electromagnetics and he has run the numbers re: solar cells and wind farms. To power our modest house for the two of us it would require a 10,000 square foot solar grid. That is 100 by 100 feet of solar panels. That would be our entire yard and then some! As for the windmills we could never afford to purchase enough land to power our house as it would require several hundred acres of windmills. IN addition wind power only works WHEN THERE IS WIND. We will be transferring several billion dollars to the Saudis' This is the largest transfer of wealth in the history of the world! We need to drill and drill now. My father worked on the pipeline in the 1970's and has told us that the caribou loved the pipeline. They would sleep near it during the winter as it generates a little heat and blocks the wind as well. Google a mapsearch for Anwar and you will see it is in the extreme Northeast section of Alaska. An area that is sparsely populated. The natives want the pipeline as well. Rachel Maddow has a Doctorate in Political Science. This hardly qualifies her as an expert in energy policy. You need to educate yourself on these issues. Don't just accept what is told to you as truth. Read what he experts have to say and not the ideologues. You also need to listen to both sides of the argument rather than just one side.

[waiteman]

The reality is Rachal Maddow is an intelligent commentator. She is not a talking head aka Brokaw, Gibson, Hannity, O'Reilly or whomever else you would like to name. She is entertaining and engaging unlike the browbeating slantheads at Faux News. To long the so-called media has been anything but liberal - hopefully she will help balance the scale and bring an element of truth to the news.

[stephen miller]

Rachel you are fresh, astute, eloquent and entertaining.
Why are you duplicating Countdown -- you repeat the same content with much the same bias
Keith Olberman is extremely talented and used to be one of my favorite reporters -- with time he has become repetitious, predictable and cynical --- maybe even a little grumpy.
Why don't you use this opportunity to do something original?

[Karen Rouse]

My family loves Rachel Maddow's new show..The format including the "talk me down" as well as the cool-off,pop culture segments are refreshing. Well done!

[bill mostretti]

John McCain is pretty slick or should I say slimy! He had already
received insider Republican info on their new deal when Obama called him that morning. He set him up to think that he agreed with a joint statement, which Obama issued later that day. In mid afternoon when McCain returned his call, he was setting him up. Minutes after they finished their call McCain was issuing his statement to the press about suspending his campaign to return to Washington. During the news confrence you noticed that his slip was saying that he didn't believe that the Polsen plan would be passed in its present form.
He knew it wouldn't, since the Republican plan was . . . .

The insider info was that the Republicans planned to undermine and betray the Democrats at the meeting with President Bush, knowing all along
(McCain) that they were about to drop the bomb! McCain kept quiet if you noticed so the set up could take place. In the meeting McCain did his job, say nothing, do little. The set up: To let McCain rescue the entire Country by devising the sceme and reuniting the Republicans. If he suceeds, he will look like he saved the day, the entire Nation! It's all a lie, let's not let him get away with it. If he is successful this might get the son of a gun in office and then we will be stuck with him for four more years of Bush policy, and even worse, McCain policy. Both spell disaster for our Country.

I am disgusted at him , his pandering and lack of integrity. This man has proven again and again that he will lie, cheat and even deceive the American people to get elected. He is a senior citizen who has senior moments every day. He is also a danger to us abroad and I fear his hard line and quick finger on the trigger of our military will surely get us into another war. Want to bet on Iran? Or even Russia?

Great show Rachael, I enjoy you and Keith Oberman very much and watch your respective shows every night. It's kinda lonely when you're not on Saturdays and Sundays!

My Best to you,

Bill Mostretti

[sam ondicho]

'Rachel your are asuper commentator you electrify my heart and mind with your intelligence, and the humane way of tackling issues politically, ethically, spiritually and inellectually. I know most people hate the reality but keep on preaching to them. I have witnessed the misuse of power at my work place,open discrimination, denial of medical services , denial of employment benefits , the consipiracy of removing of my medical reports from the file and even final termination. I wish you continue to preach to them to accept realities, and allow the change needed by the public to take its nature. Hopefully your intelligence will leave a legcy" and all will say AMEN for your inspiration, courage and confidence to your viewers. I cant afford to miss your show nor MSNBC channel.

[Herbert I marone]

Congradulations Rachel

I like millions have been watching cable news quite a bit as of late. I am an Obamma supporter, but I am disturbed about the issue of "Block the vote". I am confused about why the cable news don't call it like it is. some of these polititicans are neo-nazi and to me and this borders on treason. this is no joke, i am getting hot under my collor. i almost want to hurt someone when i sence these treasonous tactics, of calling honest americans politicians traders, communist and the like. could it be that these smae neo conservative control what you present to the public. i read books like "Behold the white pail horse" by william cooper. i am also an vietanam veterian who loves life and people of all cultures. i know these neo-conservatives are building concentration camps for us americans and bush is nothing but a pupet for these groups. this sara palin is a joke. she in my opinion is a insult to democracy. i don't know how long the masses of americans are going to remain stuck on stupid, but our founding fathers knew from the start that abosolute power corups absolutely and this will eventually distroy our great nation, unless the masses knew how to overcome fear and take up arms to distroy these neo-cons. i am extremely frustrated about this. thank you for letting me air out my feelings.

again congradulation to you Rachel

[Lorraine Reed]

Rachel....Please comment on the documentary film..."Who killed the electric car?"...and why the car companies are having trouble. They wasted millions on shredding these cars................Thank you

[Al]

Max Backus's health care legislation is a complete sell out to the lobbyist, unfortunately I support them with my dues to the various professional organizations that I belong to in the insurance industry.

From the begining he approached the health care legislation with the insurance industry and lobbyist from the different heath providers dictating the way.

We are provided with a government of elected officials that are the best government that money can buy.

What will it take to get back to a representative government? Term limits? We need to bring back total integrity