Question: When did Rachel Maddow become the powerhouse of MSNBC?

[genna]

I read one of my google alerts for Keith Olbermann today. I came across this alternet blurb for a Daily Beast article by my favorite conservative, Howard Kurtz (Tucker Carlson used to be my bell weather conservative until he became Ann Coulter crazy). In the article, he said something I found curious in terms of the selling points for MSNBC's evening line up.

What is your take DU?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-27/rachel-maddow-seizes-her-moment-at-post-keith-olbermann-msnbc/?cid=hp:mainpromo7
"What's unusual here—beyond a host who is, in no particular order, a Rhodes scholar, a former prison activist, a full-throated liberal, a lesbian, and a pickup-truck driver—is the way she interrogates the staff on the tiniest details, down to the amendments in a South Dakota bill that she has already reviewed. And Maddow will need that brainpower as she is thrust into the biggest challenge of her brief broadcasting career. With the abrupt departure of Keith Olbermann, the combative anchor who helped bring her to MSNBC before flaming out, the 37-year-old Maddow has become the new face of a network at an uncertain crossroads.

...

Losing a dominant figure like Olbermann once "would have been a fatal blow to MSNBC," says NBC News Chief Steve Capus, "but that's no longer the case." He calls Maddow a trailblazer who "doesn't spend her day trying to get everyone to believe what she does." Olbermann, who branded foes the "Worst Persons in the World," constantly clashed with management, which threatened to fire him when he warned he might publicly challenge his suspension for donating money to Democrats.

"She's our biggest show," says MSNBC President Phil Griffin, who describes Maddow as "so friggin' smart… Very few people can be so honest with a remark, a giggle, a serious look. There's no performance art. That performance is Rachel." "


I've heard of a big sell but MSNBC is trying too hard here. Or am I missing something you guys have seen or heard?

[Bandit]

1. I pretty much agree with their assessment except I don't believe Keith has "flamed out"

I think he has just moved on to new territory..

[genna]

5. I read Kurtz periodically and watch his CNN show sometimes, 'flame out' is polite for Kurtz

He goes with meme 'KO is crazy, difficult to work with, or good riddance to bad rubbish.'

He usually uses the Baltimore Sun guy who KO repeatedly said was the worst person in the world.

There is no question that Kurtz is more fair in his viewpoint, but he is a conseervative through and through. His wife is a Republican strategist or something similar.

[SteppingRazor]

2. I don't know about powerhouse, but by any definition, she's the biggest thing on MSNBC now.

She's been there the longest and draws the highest ratings.

[genna]

6. Two and a half years qualifies as a powerhouse? or the longest serving anchor?

Joe Scarsborough as been on MSNBC longer than Rachel.

I think MSNBC is marketing itself through its prior relationship with Kurtz to try to repair its image with liberals.

The truth is their overall numbers have dipped in the past 6 weeks. They are trying to win viewers back. Rachel might have the best numbers out of a slumping line up, but being the best of what's left isn't great.

[valerief]

12. Joe "Dead Intern" Scabby is a POS, though. nt

[genna]

20. Scarborough is a skunk at a picnic but he has been at MSNBC and in his anchor seat longer.

New topic?

Really?

[SteppingRazor]

30. Like I said, I don't know about "powerhouse," but ...

of all the primetime anchors, Maddow's been there the longest. Like I said in my statement to Raine, below, I'm more pointing out the relative neophyte status of MSNBC's talent than I am pointing out Maddow's longevity.

[Raine]

23. Chris Matthews has been on way longer than Rachel

he's been on longer than Joe Scab. I think MSNBC considers him the star otherwise he wouldn't be on at least THREE times M-F.

[SteppingRazor]

29. That's absolutely true. I should've said "of the primetime anchors ..."

My statement was more pointing out what a neophyte lineup MSNBC has than a statement on Maddow's longevity. I mean, it's weird to think that, of all of them (that is, all the primetime, 8-11 p.m. anchors), she's been there the longest, and she's only been there a couple years.

[rocktivity]

3. Condsider the source.

That is, what the Daily Beast's agenda might be.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[genna]

7. True.

I just wanted to get someone else's view.

I've been tuning into KO to find out how his departure will wash out. This headline struck me because I had not noticed anyone else vilifying or patting any other liberal on the back on MSNBC.

I still wonder how Comcast is going to change the nature of the channel.

[gateley]

4. I was kind of surprised to see her in the Numero Uno seat during

some live coverage they were having of some story (forget which). There was a panel with Tweety (I thought he was probably pissed that he wasn't 'in charge'), Gene Robinson, and I THINK KO was still there, but could be mistaken on that. She's become the powerhouse and I'm guessing the ratings-getter apparently.

I don't think MSNBC is trying the big sell, I think Rachel sells herself. IMO. :7 :hi:

[genna]

9. *Tongue in cheek* Rachel Maddow needs no introduction or forward push.

I just don't think MSNBC is doing that well. They are trying to get the trust and eyeballs to return to MSNBC.

[FLAprogressive]

8. When Keith left.

[genna]

10. I appreciate the feedback. I just wanted a sense of how others viewed it.

[jp11]

11. I agree she doesn't need a 'sell' cause she is so good but MSNBC has a vested

interest in selling her and her show, they dropped Keith and I think there is some understanding of his fans and what he did for that network despite their own choices. To not sell Rachel is a huge mistake on MSNBC's part, it would be true of any great talent you 'sell' what you have and if don't have anything you try and spin it so it seems you do and sell that.

[genna]

15. They split their demographic 3 ways during the day

KO segment (where he had the largest influence)

Daytime - neutral MSM blather

Joe Scarsborough Country --- where the Daily Beast has free range.


Kurtz is a good messenger, but I don't think he is an effective conduit for that message. Most progressives would not stoop in reading him. I do read and watch him from time to time because I need a contrary opinion. Most others force me to ignore what they are saying and focus on how they are saying it. For the most part, I can ignore how he is saying whatever his message is.

[Mojeoux]

13. So What...if she's young and new and gay? Rachel Rules!!!! So What!?!

Too bad Tweety might be pissed, whatever!

[valerief]

14. I think Lockup! or Lockdown! or whatever it's called is the powerhouse. That's shit's always on

MSNBC. Blech!

[Little Star]

16. Rachel Maddow is the best cable host on TV. She is smart...

Her research is impeccable and she shares the clips/news articles from that research. She can explain things in plain english and in a manner that helps you understand even the most complicated subjects. Hell, Rachel rocks!!!

I love Keith but his style is very different than Rachel's. He is my second favorite host. Sorta like, I like Stephen Colbert better than Jon Stewart even though Jon gave Stephen his break.

The rest of them don't even come close to Rachel or Keith, imho.

[genna]

19. Agreed. I really like the snarkiness KO brings to the table.

I watched Rachel to be informed of what was going on.

[markpkessinger]

21. Agreed...and

I also appreciate that she goes out of her way to make clear distinctions between that which she is presenting as opinion or analysis, and that which is reporting as objective, verifiable fact. And she rarely, RARELY gets her facts wrong, whether or not one necessarily agrees with her analysis of the import of those facts. On the very rare occasion that she does make a factual misstatement, she issues a correction (usually on the very next show) -- a correction that is featured very prominently and forthrightly. When she interviews people, she can be very tough and determined in the face of evasiveness or dodging, but I have never once seen her show the slightest bit of disrespect to anyone on her show, regardless of how philosophically opposed to an individual she might, in fact, be. Rachel Maddow demonstrates every night how to do unapologetic, viewpoint journalism while at the same time maintaining high standards of journalistic integrity -- a feat few others today can claim (certainly none of the hacks over at FOX).

[Major Hogwash]

17. Thursday

Lawrence O'Donnell had the day off.

LoL

[islandmkl]

18. about 9:01 p.m. EST...

[Papagoose]

22. Good Lord, do I love Rachel Maddow

Brilliant and beautiful, funny, witty energetic, and did I mention beautiful, and smart? She was destined to become the powerhouse at MSNBC the day she was hired.

[genna]

24. She is a good representation of what good a joint opinion/news anchor can do.

[Brigid]

25. Anybody else think . . .

Maybe Olbermann found Rachel Maddow and brought her onto MSNBC in preparation for his departure? After all, he had been doing "Countdown" for several years, and maybe he felt it was time to go. Anyway, he certainly has a wonderful successor. Love me some Rachel. :)

[genna]

27. I definitely did NOT think that was a chicken or the egg situation

If KO looked out into the future and thought about succession 2 1/2 years ago, WOW!

I have had mixed thoughts about what Maddow knew and when did she know it. She has shut down all inquiries about it from day 1.

She definitely inherited a mantle whether or not MSNBC or she can use that platform effectively will be continue to be revealed. As it stands now, she is the most watched evening show.

[annabanana]

26. The minute she opened her mouth...

I first heard her on the early days of AAR. I almost jumped out of my skin "WHO IS THAT?". .There is no one who even comes close.

[tularetom]

28. Kurtz suffers from acute penis envy when it comes to Olbermann

You can hear the hostility every time he talks about him and IMO his problem is that Kurtz has always played by the rules and sucked up to republicans and A list beltway pundits and yet is sort of a joke among the big boys. KO on the other hand has achieved the kind of success that Kurtz can only dream of and he did it while refusing to kiss anybody's ass.

[genna]

31. Laugh out loud funny "penis envy"

Honestly, I never thought about why Kurtz had a problem. I just noticed he had a real attitude about Olbermann. He goes above and beyond to act like Keith Olbermann is the scum of the earth.

He doesn't cast stones at Beck, O'Reilly, Hannity, or the Coultergeist but he can get a lather up about Olbermann. I just thought he was really showing his Republican roots.

You think it is a jealousy up front. No bigger analysis needed. No ideological problems necessary. You are probably right.

Thanks. I like thinking about a situation in a new way.