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Rachel Maddow Becomes First Out Lesbian to Host Prime-Time News Show

, Editor in Chief
August 20, 2008

Openly gay political commentator Rachel Maddow, 35, is getting her own prime-time show on MSNBC, the cable news channel confirmed on Tuesday.

"This just completes our prime-time lineup," MSNBC President Phil Griffin told the New York Times.

Beginning Sept. 8, Maddow will replace commentator Dan Abrams in the 9 p.m. time slot. Her show will initially focus on the presidential race but will become more of a general news program after the election.

"This is great," Maddow told the Times. "Getting a regular cable show is something I’ve wanted."

Maddow will be the first out lesbian to host a prime-time news or political commentary show on American television, and one of the very few women ever to do so. MSNBC does not have any other news or political commentary shows hosted by women.

Maddow currently divides her time between Manhattan and western Massachusetts, where she lives with her partner of 10 years, artist Susan Mikula.

Maddow has hosted a popular liberal talk radio show on Air America since 2004. She has also been a frequent guest commentator on political talk shows like MSNBC's Tucker and CNN's Paula Zahn Now, and is currently a regular panelist on MSNBC's Race for the White House With David Gregory.

Last year, Maddow told PageOne Q she believed her career in television hadn't taken off, "not only because I am gay, but because of what I look like. I am not a Barbie girl with Barbie doll-like looks. Because in television, what you look like is a huge deal."

But if the events of Maddow's career since then are any indication, perhaps America is warming up to women who are not "Barbie girls."

In April, Maddow began filling in occasionally as the guest host on the cable network's popular show Countdown With Keith Olbermann, and her episodes quickly became the show's most-watched by viewers ages 25 to 54, a highly desirable advertising demographic. Shortly thereafter, she became Olbermann's official fill-in host.

Maddow on Countdown With Keith Olbermann, Aug. 14

Last month, MSNBC's Griffin hinted that Maddow was at the top of "a very short list" to headline her own show, and he made it official this week.

"We’re hiring Rachel because she’s a smart person," Griffin explained to the Times. "Rachel goes far beyond politics. She’s an expert on military affairs. She was a Rhodes scholar.” Maddow was the first openly gay American to win a Rhodes scholarship.

When asked in a 2005 interview with Velvet Park magazine what it's like to debate men like Pat Buchanan, Maddow responded:

They see me as a novelty. I've slipped through the cracks, this butch dyke. They always try to bring up gay marriage with me. We're talking about Syria, Bosnia, Rwanda refugees on CNN and they're like "Rachel, now how does this relate to gay marriage?" It's also an interesting challenge to have to be so concise on TV, using language to bring people along with you and also to provoke them. People say, "Isn't it hard to only have three minutes to argue against the death penalty?" But, don't you rebel against the restraints, you work within them.

She also chalks up her debating skill to coming out at an early age. "You have to learn to survive and prosper in a hostile environment," she said in an interview with AfterEllen.com last year. "It's kind of a talent that gay people bring to everything we do."

TAGS ::

Yay! More Maddow!

Submitted by

Rituximab (43 posts)

on August 19, 2008 - 11:32pm.

Great going Rachel!!

I left a comment about Rachel in last weeks B.L.W.E, and am ELATED that we will be seeing/hearing more of her. Those of us that listen to her regularly appreciate her razor-sharp intelligence and debating ability, but additionally that it comes with a huge dose of "don't take yourself too seriously", which is charming.

Having said that - I hope they don't femme her up too much more; I'm already missing my nerd/geek, chunky glasses, just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking butch....*sigh*. Still I have a feeling that's the real Rachel, so I'll still have my fantasies.

Now, how are we going to persuade her to sink her teeth into the gay politics that she seems to "hate so much"....(her phrase....see You Tube clips of Campaign Asylum on HRC)....

This news made my day

Submitted by

Kat (29 posts)

on August 19, 2008 - 11:52pm.

Rachel is my role model, and after becoming incredibly disenchanted with politics, her intellectual and witty approach has helped me remember why i loved politics to begin with.

I have been waiting for Rachel to get a little more attention here on afterellen.

Thank you Sarah!

Thrilled!

Submitted by

sideofzen (5 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:29am.

I was so thrilled when I read about this earlier. I knew Rachel would get her own show eventually, I didn't didn't expect it this soon! Me and my Tivo will be there starting Sept 8th.

Happy

Submitted by

the fallen (251 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:52am.

to see this. If for no other reason than to have a reasonable liberal voice on MSNBC. Olberman is so rabid in his hatred of all things Republican that he is basically as extreme as Limbaugh and O'reilly are in their views on progressives. I just want to yell at him, Hey Keith, stop helping me! Rachel is a much more effective voice I think because she uses facts and figures and not the latest internet rumor to make her point. I'll definitely be watching.

WOO!!!

Submitted by

♫ Kit ♫ (61 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 1:18am.

YES. YES. YES. IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME.

now if she would only marry me...

Yay for Rachel Maddow

Submitted by

Thea (55 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 1:27am.

She is one of the best representitives we could hope for. I think she's briliant and a great role model.

www.doubleplusspecial.deviantart.com

great news!

Submitted by

Cullen (35 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 1:46am.

Congrats to her. she's definitely come a long way these last few years. Glad to see Dr. Maddow gettin' her well deserved TV show. Hopefully it won't interfere too much with her radio stuff though. Have fun "dressing up like a lady" for the TV machine Dr. Maddow. :-)

ya

Submitted by

Julez (148 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 7:59pm.

oh fuckmefinally a butch on mainstream tv

hey dopelganger

Submitted by

Cameron (6 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 3:12am.

from people I have met I look just like her. This is great. As narcisicic thati it is I love to watch her take down paloticians.

wow

Submitted by

CaroL (101 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 3:45am.

"Ok, honestly you probably don't remember Jerome Corsi at all because why would you pay attention to someone with a record like that?"

God, I wish we had journalists like this here!

AND, shes hot!! And so smart... and eloquent... and.. I think I better stop with the adjectives ;P

www.myspace.com/carolconti

Great News

Submitted by

Bett Norris (54 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 3:44am.

This is great news, because Rachel Maddow is smart and quick, and because she is replacing Dan Abrams, who is slow and smarmy, and often doesn't get the point a quest is making. He's too busy thinking about what he is going to say next.

www.bettnorris.com

www.bywaterbooks.com

Excellent

Submitted by

Livia (66 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 8:35am.

I try to avoid TV news as much as possible. Maddow is one of the few perspectives I actually appreciate. Kudos to the network for seeing the potential and making this happen.

excellent

Submitted by

7Up (396 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 8:52am.

She's excellent, MSNBC is the best news station I find these days, and now it's just that much better!

Wonderful!

Submitted by

kwright (15 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 8:54am.

This is wonderful news! I'm really looking forward to watching her show!

"You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do." - Anne Lamott

YAY

Submitted by

HPRIC (2 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 9:03am.

I am really happy to hear this. I tried listening to Rachel when she had her morning radio program, and tuned out after a few months. I liked most of the content, but the delivery was a bit too lefty and abrasive for me. I have enjoyed her so much more nightly on MSNBC, with some of the edges smoothed out. I hope she has a long career and stays in the spotlight.

Fantastic news!!

Submitted by

coolfyah (81 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 10:21am.

An intelligent woman talking eloquently about such important issues? I am so there!

Yay!

Submitted by

wyle e coyote (40 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:12pm.

Been listening to Rachel for a while now, and she's awesome. A scary smart, witty and confident woman who can debate with the best of them. And a lesbian with nerd humor to boot.

Congratulations to Rachel, and I also have to give credit to MSNBC.

_________________________________________________

Bridget: Are you really crying because you're not lesbians in real life? Is that why you cry?

Eden Riegel: Well, wouldn't that make you cry?

Brilliant!!

Submitted by

Tatum (2 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:13pm.

This news has made my day! I can't wait to watch her show.

My favourite Rachel Maddow quote referring to how they dress her up for TV..."They'd broach me if they could."

Amazed

Submitted by

Olivia74 (4 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:20pm.

I have to say, although this is good news, I think its awful that its even an issue!!

So what if shes gay?? Does that mean she is less worthy or capable of reading the news?

Thank God in UK we dont have such ridiculous prejudices as they do in USA. Its fascinating that a country that prides itself on being so progressive, is pretty backward.

ah pore Kim Soltz this gig

Submitted by

Nathiest (668 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:37pm.

ah pore Kim Soltz this gig is like her dream job now she'll probable never get a chance cuz you know how they are, 'We allready got one' too sad. w00t for Rachel!!!

-Nathiest
the devil is in the details

It's great that she has

Submitted by

cosmiccowgirl (555 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:56pm.

It's great that she has "infiltrated" the mainstream media, but we hardcore leftists will miss her on Air America! (I'm assuming she can't do both.)

no worries, she will be

Submitted by

Cullen (35 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 4:32am.

no worries, she will be doing both!

Thank you Sarah

Submitted by

ML (15 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 12:57pm.

For giving this the headline article it deserved. Go Maddow.... loved her on Air America, will be glued to the set for her new show on MSNBC!

Twice is Nice

Submitted by

carolf (11 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 2:05pm.

Rachel is planning on keeping her radio show and time slot

so twice as much Dr Maddow as before!

Great news! Wow, sh'e going

Submitted by

cosmiccowgirl (555 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 2:53pm.

Great news! Wow, sh'e going to be one busy lesbian.

Yay! WOW and more Yay!!!!

Submitted by

Dancing-River (70 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 2:06pm.

Finally! I have been a fan of Maddow's ever since the start of AirAmerica when she began as a co-anchor in a show there. I have been following her career and recently she has been doing an amazing job on Countdown. Fortunately MSNBC makes Countdown available as a Podcast so I have been able to watch that regularly.

Now I just HOPE that they also make Rachel's show available as a podcast and that they remember she has a lot of international fans as well. If they dont, I am going to be seriously pissed!

Go Rachel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Podcast

Submitted by

Cullen (35 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 4:31am.

There's also http://www.maddowfans.com/ if they don't get their act together right away on the podcast for Rachel's show. They're usually pretty good about at least posting highlight clips.

rachel rocks!

Submitted by

tray (13 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 3:43pm.

wow. i absoutly love rachel maddow. she's so amazingly talanted and intelligent. i'm proud to have her on "our team" :-P

Yay for Rachel :)

Submitted by

Stephanie (15 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 6:10pm.

I started listening to her radio show a year ago after i saw her on Countdown one day and have been hooked ever since.

I can't wait to watch her new show after Countdown :)

Bravo!! Rachel

Submitted by

jeepdawg_34 (95 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 6:58pm.

Well deserved! I can't wait to tune in.

Rachel is spectacular!

Submitted by

mrs butterworth (29 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 8:57pm.

adding Rachel to the nightly lineup on MSNBC is a great move! along with Keith and Chris this should make for a great block of shows! .... though i'm a bit suprised that they'd get rid of Dan Abrams and not that annoying "Race for the White House."

Beard

Submitted by

sapphistafricana (255 posts)

on August 20, 2008 - 9:41pm.

Is Aunt Jemima your gal pal?

:o)

are you kidding me?

Submitted by

mrs butterworth (29 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 6:48pm.

I'm not that lucky!

stupid, stupid, stupid

Submitted by

mrs butterworth (29 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 6:49pm.

and i'm an idiot and double commented and now can't figure out how to get rid of the second one. can you tell i'm new around here? geez

Cool times

Submitted by

Bainca (20 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 1:49am.

Aw congratulations Rachel Maddow! I became a fan fairly recently when she started guest hosting Countdown. Then I saw her on Race for the Whitehouse and she owned Pat Buchanan so hard and I was all "Aw shi+, Pat! She got you hella bad!" Fun stuff. I'm thinking I need to get into Air America now.

yaaaaaaay!

Submitted by

dj shiva (161 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 2:10am.

this is the best news i have heard in ages.

i am a die-hard maddow geek fan and to have her not only on the radio, but on the tv machine? brilliant!!!!

i sure wish they would let her on there in her t shirts, jeans and clunky glasses, but i will take some dr maddow however i can get her.

Rachel seems to be the

Submitted by

jackedup77 (867 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 3:54am.

Rachel seems to be the smartest Person on radio. Everything she says makes sense.

I wish she runs for president one day. I'd campaign for Rachel. Hell, I'd do a lot of things for Rachel...

For a Good Time, Call Lynn Cullen!

Submitted by

AskALesbian (51 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 9:57am.

I am thrilled for Rachael and for all of us. Finally, a nightly news commentary with intelligence and wit, unowned by right winged religious nutz.

Pittsburgh is losing our last "Lone Liberal" on talk radio after Labor Day. Our much beloved Lynn Cullen has been bumped by a radio station, given over to "family values" by it's ultra conservative owner.

Since Lynn Cullen will be available, I can't think of anything better than having her as a panel member on The Rachael Maddow show.

http://www.amnewstalk1360.com/jocks/cullen.aspx

Please, Rachael Maddow, call Lynn Cullen. You'll absolutely love her.

best regards!

Yet another crack in the

Submitted by

Susan Gabriel (79 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 2:50pm.

Yet another crack in the glass ceiling for women and lesbians. Change seems so slow sometimes, yet it is inevitable, isn't it?

I think that every time one of us makes it, (go Rachel!) we need to celebrate, because it moves us all a little bit closer to being who we are meant to be.

www.SeekingSaraSummers.com

Late on Topic: Go Rachel Maddow!

Submitted by

Miss Ketina (1012 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 7:13pm.

www.myspace.com/lunakiss7

Go Rachel Maddow! The smarter,the better! Being smart again is coming back to television,whooo!

woo hoo!

Submitted by

banan-drea (66 posts)

on August 21, 2008 - 11:18pm.

She so deserves this! Good for her. She's definitely one the of the most, if not the most, articulate commentator on cable news. I didn't know she was the first openly gay Rhodes scholar. Fantastic!

Secretly loved watching her battle wits with Pat Buchanan

Submitted by

drbambee (53 posts)

on August 22, 2008 - 1:55am.

Okay ... I have always got a kick out of watching Maddow square off with Pat Buchanan. I know that MSNBC did it on purpose: liberal vs. conservative. It was so cute to see Maddow give an endearing, gracious smile whenever Buchanan would get befuddled over a point that was being made. Whenever Buchanan was on, I knew that Maddow wasn't far behind. Definitely MUST. SEE. TV. I'll catch her show.

So happy for Rachel...

Submitted by

heroinefilms (29 posts)

on August 24, 2008 - 2:54pm.

It's just really good to see her get her shot.

xo Mel & the Girls from Heroine Films

Watch FEED on AfterEllen at: http://www.afterellen.com/taxonomy/term/3971

http://www.feedseries.tv | http://www.heroinefilms.net

Yummy news!

Submitted by

mitch (2 posts)

on August 28, 2008 - 7:15pm.

I've seen what must be the 'before n after' photos though, why the fcuk do the media insist on glamming all women up - she looked gorgeous already!

Thanks for running this article...

Submitted by

chaigrrl77 (9 posts)

on September 12, 2008 - 1:32am.

Because my home is cable-free, I had no clue that Rachel existed until I read this. One thing led to another and now I'm spending a downright shameful amount of time youtubing videos of her (Somebody please post more footage of her new show!!!) and listening to her radio show. It's pathetic, really. I'm 110% obsessed, and I think my friends are already planning an intervention...while I'm planning to get MSNBC! ;)

I seriously want to have

Submitted by

Sammie81p (27 posts)

on September 12, 2008 - 1:51pm.

I seriously want to have her babies. She is brilliant!

-SMP-

I knew it!

Submitted by

Michie87 (92 posts)

on September 24, 2008 - 6:06pm.

My lesbian radar doesnt fail me! LOL

come on...

Submitted by

nthompson208 (1 post)

on October 14, 2008 - 11:50am.

Ok, so I love watching Rachel. Never knew much about her before, but love her. However, what is up with all the "hope they don't sex her up" comments. You don't have to put a low-cut dress with cleavage to get some attention, but I saw her on Leno and I was like "what the heck?". Come on...she's HOT. Don't DOWNPLAY her hotness (and yes, I'm a straight, married, mid-western,lone-democrat from Kansas) and I STILL want to see her look respectable! She doesn't need to hide behind 80's/retro glasses and wear shirts untucked and 7th grade converse shoes. Come on...have some respect. There's nothing to prove, you're hot, smart and sexy. At least don't try and HIDE IT!!!! :)

I love Rachel Maddow

Submitted by

Sara (88 posts)

on October 27, 2008 - 10:07pm.

Lately I've felt guilty about not watching much news, especially with all the election hooplah, and one night I was flipping channels and found her show and I was hooked. She's amazingly quick witted, entertaining, and informed. Way to make the news more interesting!

Hooray for Rachel!!

Submitted by

adrian (3 posts)

on November 2, 2008 - 4:16am.

Congrats to her finally getting there, i still wish Hillary Clinton beat Obama though, even though she is not lesbian it would do a lot for females all over the world.

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Rachel Maddow Becomes First Out Lesbian to Host Prime-Time News Show

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