Rachel Maddow finds the right formula on MSNBC

[maddezmom]

The liberal former radio host has earned surprising ratings on her cable show.
By Matea Gold, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 29, 2008
NEW YORK -- Rachel Maddow looked as if she were about to leap into the air with excitement. The newly minted MSNBC host was crouched on a swiveling office chair, her feet propped underneath her, gleefully contemplating the day's sudden turn of events.

Bill Wolff, her executive producer, had just walked into her office with the latest news: Sen. John McCain was suspending his campaign to rush to Washington and work on the Wall Street bailout.

"No more campaign events for the whole week, he's just going to be on Capitol Hill?" Maddow asked incredulously.

It was the kind of unexpected development that delights Maddow, whose enthusiasm for all things political has helped make her a breakout star on MSNBC. Just nine months after joining the cable news network as a political analyst, the 35-year-old outspoken liberal has her own hourlong program, which airs after “Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” the network's top-rated show.

more:http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-maddow29-2008sep29,0,4672780.story

[gblady]

1. nice article...

I'm so glad she is getting out there.

[Catch22Dem]

2. I could not be happier for her!

I think this is so awesome, and it SHOULD give the network (and other networks) a sense of the mindset of the country.

[Salviati]

3. Maybe it was because the people were hungry for something different...

something other than the 500th 'conservative' with an injection molded hairstyle reading the days talking points inbetween shouting over guests while cutting their mics?

It's great news that her ratings are doing so stellar, let's hope that the other networks get a clue and give the people what they want!

[Poseidan]

18. it's simple:

When they shout, ignore them completely. Sit silently, wait patiently until they finish, then continue as if their shouting never happened.

[Applepie]

4. I love her show

I wish they would make a pod cast of it.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. "Bill Wolff, her executive producer ....... "

..... is Allison Stewart's husband.

[ShortnFiery]

7. That is very heart warming news. Allison did well each time she sub'd for KO. Too cool!

Allison Stewart :loveya:

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Yeah, I liked Allison from the first moment she appeared on MSNBC

I also recall some on here felt Wolff, because he did daily cameos on Tucker's show, was a right winger. I never saw him that way.

I really wish Allison was still there.

I shared some e-mail exchanges with her. It started when she did the breaking news of an airplane with a stuck landing gear and the possibility of a crash loomed large. She was very calm as the news was breaking all around her. I wrote her a congratulatory letter for her performance. Some follow-up note passing followed.

I know she drinks Red Bull while on the air! :)

[TahitiNut]

12. Wow! He's a VERY lucky guy. She's very 'hawt' ... smart, bright, talented, warm.

... and they'd be able to make AWESOME babies! :silly: :silly:

[KaryninMiami]

6. kicked because I'm just so damn proud of her and thrilled for her and happy for US

for once. Everyone wins here- what a nice change of pace! Go Rachel.

[Stardust]

8. "Former radio host?" I listen to her show on Air America Radio every day!?!

[soleft]

10. She kind of contradicts herself

I mean that as an observation and not a criticism. First she says she has no agenda, then she says she wants to be influential. How can you try to influence people if you don't have an agenda?

[TahitiNut]

13. Maybe by giving them good information?

I tend to think I have the best influence by giving folks good information and then letting them know how to get their own ... and how much fun it is.

The best teachers I ever had had an "agenda" ... the 'cause' of creating an educated and thinking society.

[ailsagirl]

11. She's damn good, no doubt about it. I'm a little surprised because

she's a liberal (I don't even know if she's a dem) and I'm sure repugs are bitching about there being too many liberal programs on MSNBC (what between her and Keith and, sometimes, Matthews).

But thank God we have her-- she's one bright commentator-- with keen insight and a sense of humor.

:patriot:

[ngGale]

14. K & R ... for Rachel ...

She tapped an audience who had almost nothing to watch on political Tee Vee.
KO & Rachel are "it" for me.

[Dudley_DUright]

15. Me too, and I have Mrs. DUright watching both Rachel and KO

(I hooked her on Rachel first and then I got her watching KO since it both precedes and follows her).

[jcd8822]

16. She is the greatest........Wait for her ratings

Rachel is the greatest thing to ever happen to NBC. Her ratings will blow all of the rest of them off the map. She is what the media should be all about. I can hardly wait for her to start pulling down the ratings of FOX and some of the others. She and her style is a breath of fresh air.

[gratuitous]

17. Time for her to get Donahue'd

We can't have a popular voice on the media that isn't 100% conservawhacko, because that will upset some know-nothing dingbat proud of his ignorance in Dubuque or Muskingum, and that cannot be tolerated!

[Annoyinglysmart]

19. Her rise has been meteoric and swift

I feel very happy about her; I had been following her since she was in Air America in the mornings. Excellent commentator.

[Kool Kitty]

21. I'm happy about her, too.

And welcome to DU. :hi:

[Imagevision]

20. Rachel & Keith have the green light to speak their mind - David Gregary, &

David Shuster were ordered to calm their personal views opinions down and unfortunately Chris Mathews will shortly be leaving MSNBC.