Rachel Maddow, Host Apparent: Analyst "At The Top" Of "Very Short List" For Next MSNBC Opening

New York Times:

For clues about who might be next to get a show on MSNBC, viewers need not have looked further than "Countdown" earlier this month. For eight nights beginning just before the Fourth of July, Rachel Maddow, the host of a program on Air America, the liberal talk-radio network, served as a substitute for the vacationing Keith Olbermann.

"At some point, I don't know when, she should have a show," said Phil Griffin, hours before he was promoted on Wednesday to president of MSNBC. "She's on the short list. It's a very short list. She's at the top."

At the moment every slot at night on MSNBC is taken, with David Gregory at 6 handing off to Chris Matthews at 7, and with Dan Abrams at 9 following Mr. Olbermann at 8. But some shuffling could be in the offing; Mr. Matthews's contract, for example, is up next year.

For her part, Ms. Maddow, who has been a ubiquitous presence as a political analyst on MSNBC this campaign season, said she is ready whenever the call should come. To hasten that process, she recently hired Mr. Olbermann's agent, Jean Sage.

"They know I would love to do it," Ms. Maddow, 35, said over a recent lunch below 30 Rockefeller Plaza. "I'm going to let them decide what they want to do about me. I'm saying yes every time they ask me to be on television."

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[geobushono]

I started listening to Rachel on AAR mornings. She is brilliant and makes things clear and understandable.
Those of us lucky enough to be her radio fans, know she comes across as one of us.

[JiminNC]

David Gregory's show is junk. He interrupts anyone making a left leaning point.

[kellygrrrl]

I can think a few spots that NEED to be opened up

Very much looking forward to Rachel getting her own show

[suuzie]

kellygrrrl, I am happy with Rachel getting her own show on MSNBC, just leave Chris Matthews show alone.

[DesertLight]

I agree the entertainment value with Chri$ is worth watching. But he does not need to be repeated.

[305Rider]

Think about this, "Race for the White House" will not be on after the election. That leaves a perfect opening for Rachel to get her own show.

P.S: I thought I was the only one that saw Rachel as pretty, glad to see I'm not alone.

[PAposter]

I would like to see Rachel replace Mika on Morning Joe. It would be so cool to see Joe running off the set because Rachel won't agree with his misguided notions, like he did on Race to the White House, LOL!

[lee4]

I saw that. I was hoping Scarborough would leave for good...and take annoying Mika with him!

[Marcee]

Fabulous idea to put her, even for a short run, on Morning Joe! This would be more fun to watch. I'll never forget pompous Joe sermonizing on one of the MSNBC shows that Obama needed to better demonstrate he can take the heat from opponents. Then, within days, he walks off Race for the White House when Rachel politely asked him, "Joe, let me finish." Rachel clearly demonstrated she can take the heat when after a more recent heated disagreement, Joe rudely equated Rachel's delightful laugh with the "Hilary cackle" and then coward that he is, broke for a commercial. Rachel is ready for prime time. She is articulate, intelligent, humorous. I propose only 1 time slot for Hardball and give Rachel the other hour. Or, sorry to say, dump ever-lovin, slightly hysterical Dan Abrams.

[hlhicks]

Does Mika ever counter the incorrect assertions made by guests or Joe? She just sits there and nods in agreement. What's the point of having her on the show?

[Zentomato]

Mika is an actress playing off Joe's lead. She is his synchophant partner. His straight man so to speak.

[lvogt]

Keep Mika dump Joe.

[lee4]

Dump both egomaniac Joe AND annoying Mika.

[PAposter]

Well, Hardball actually replays at 7pm, why can't she have that slot? I don't particularly like the Dan Abrams program, but I don't want him to get fired, I like him. The 10pm slot up against Anderson Cooper on CNN would be great (which is currently a replay of Olbermann).

[kellygrrrl]

I like Dan. I think you're right - no need to run Hardball. Give Rachel one of those spots. I bet her show will do better than Hardball anyway

[suuzie]

Leave Hardball ALONE.

[Kalemanao]

Three Cheers for Rachel Maddow....
Yea Rachel... Yea Rachel... Yea Rachel...

As well you should be Ms #1 at the top of a very short list to host your own show on MSNBCTV.

Note to Phil Griffin: As A Viewer My Opinion - Next on your "short list" for other MSNBCTV show hosts should be Mika (In The Morning) Brzezinski... followed by Chuck (Race to the White House) Todd and completing the team with (The Verdict) with David Shuster.

Those replaced can become appreciated super-stars at Fox "News".

[Destin]

I must say that I love Rachel Maddow too, lol. She seems so charming, and intelligent, and warm. She doesn't have to resort to the shoutdown, and rarely has to raise her voice to get her point across. She always seems prepared, and always gives great thought provoking opinions when asked. As much as I love Olberman too, lol, I think they should give Rachel a 10pm slot, then start the primetime television repeast at 11pm for those people living on west coast, or who work night shift on east coast. Many times I'd be rushing home from work on night shift to get home in time to catch the primetime repeats later at night.

Either way, MSNBC would be in a win-win situation if they signed on Rachel. She's got class, talent and intelligence. What more could they ask for? And hell yah, she's a babe too! ;)

[WeNeedSomethingBetter]

We have Olbermann at night, it would be good too see Maddow in the morning. Get rid of morning Joe!

[PAposter]

aaahhh, man, don't tease me like that, I hate Scarborough. Even better, replace Mika with Rachel, now that would be interesting.

[bikerdude]

That's it...Give her the Morning Joe slot and let her show be broadcast on AAR....Joe could then go to Faux where he will feel much more at home. Rachel, Willy and Mika could be a formidable team.

[kellygrrrl]

I like that idea - but I think she's keeping her morning radio show

[eXcommunicate]

Rachel is great. But I didn't like her on Countdown as the host. Since it is Countdown, she had to follow the Keith Olberrmann schtick. It's good for Keith Olberrmann, but she's her own woman. She needs her own style. Whatever show she gets should follow a unique format and styling to suit her positive attributes.

[Tommygun264]

When she gets her own show I hope she will have the power to refuse the frosted pink lipstick and curled eyelashes they presently force upon her whenever she is on the air.

[kellygrrrl]

I agree with you, she should be able to look natural - but that will NOT happen

[DMcD]

They'd be doing us a favor in dumping Chris Matthew's ------ this 'professed Liberal' is , in reality , a 'Closet Troll'. Despite his disguise , you can see right thru his pseudo-leanings when he goes to great lenghts to point-out , examine or otherwise , manufacture weaknesses in the Democrats.

[suuzie]

Listen people, I am sure there are those who may not care for Chris Matthews, but there are three times more people who love him, so please let's not get rid of anyone to give Rachel a slot. Although I like Rachel, I like Chris more and if he was to be replaced with Rachel I will not watch.

[CrazyLiberal]

. Without a doubt, she is brilliant, intelligent, witty, articulate, and very well versed on today's political climate.

MSNBC would be very wise to give her a time slot during prime time even if it means demoting someone else, besides Keith Olbermann and Dan Abrams.

[presto]

If she toned it down just a bit, she'd be a breath of fresh air on Meet the Press. I don't watch Olbermann any more but I did tune in while she held down the fort. She was great except when she had to follow the Olbermann script and obsess about Fox.

As far as MSNBC goes, I'd love to see her replace Dan Abrams. I'd like to see anyone replace Dan Abrams.

[TwoCentsIn]

Replacing Dan Abrams---yes!

Rachel is indeed bright, articulate, well-spoken, attractive. The current
MSNBC gameshow formats don't play to her strengths, however.

Rachel is certainly deserving of her own unique show format. No
Ellen DeGeneres dancing required.

[Destin]

I agree 100% with that. If they give her a show, they should also give her the freedom to mold her show into her style.

[nancytheragingliberal]

Rachel does a great job on AAR each and every night. MSNBC would be wise to give her her own show. I have been telling them for many months. Now is the time.

[Vee]

I don't care who MSNBC get rid of, so long they give me Rachel Maddow NOW, I'm game!! She's brilliant, smart, tough all in one. I can't wait until she put everybody in their place.

Get rid of Andrea Mitchell, she's such a joke! I can't believe people waste their time on her show.
Get rid of David Gregory, Dan Abrams, Chris Matthews, aaaaalll those won't be missed AT ALL...,
I want Rachel....

[mi]

Rachel is bright, well informed, funny, and makes them all look like amateurs.
Matthews and Olberman acted like idiots with Hillary...like her or not, they were
expetionally unprofessional.
Go Rachel!