Rachel Maddow Replacing Dan Abrams On MSNBC Effective Immediately

Read about Dan Abrams' new media strategy firm here.

Update: Keith Olbermann had Rachel Maddow on "Countdown" Tuesday night to celebrate and discuss the news. In the clip, Rachel said that the show will discuss politics and weird news � like stories on the Iraqi national soccer team and domestic crimes committed by naked men � and that she will remain on Air America.

Watch below:

Original Post: Rachel Maddow will replace Dan Abrams as host of the 9PM hour on MSNBC, the New York Times' Bill Carter reports. Just last month in a Times article by Jacques Steinberg, MSNBC president Phil Griffin declared Maddow "at the top" of a "very short list" for those who should have their own show, though at the time he said he "[didn't] know when" that would be. As Carter reports, the final stretch of the 2008 election season will be Maddow's debut as the host of her own MSNBC show:

Just in time for the closing rush of the presidential election, MSNBC is shaking up its prime-time programming lineup, removing the long-time host -- and one-time general manager of the network -- Dan Abrams from his 9 p.m. program and replacing him with Rachel Maddow, who has emerged as a favored political commentator for the all-news cable channel.

The moves, which were confirmed by MSNBC executives Tuesday, are expected to be finalized by Wednesday, with Mr. Abrams's last program on Thursday. After MSNBC's extensive coverage of the two political conventions during the next two weeks, Ms. Maddow will begin her program on Sept. 8.

MSNBC is highlighting the date, 9/8/08, connecting it to the start of the Olympics on 8/8/08, as a way to signal what the network's president, Phil Griffin, said "will be the final leg of the political race this year." He added, "We making that Rachel's debut."

Mr. Abrams, who is well liked at MSNBC, is expected to remain at both that network and at NBC News, where he is the chief legal correspondent. He will also serve as an anchor during some of MSNBC's daytime coverage, as well as a substitute host on NBC's "Today" show, Mr. Griffin said.

The last broadcast of Abrams' "Verdict" will air Thursday.

Abrams, the network's former General Manager, told the Times that he understood the decision.

"Putting my general manager's hat back on, considering where the network is right now, it is actually the right call," he said.

Almost immediately, Keith Olbermann took to DailyKos to celebrate the news, brag about his involvement in the decision � "Yes, I had something to do with it," he wrote � and remind readers that though Maddow's rise at the network was quick ("less than five months between first paid appearance and own show"), his was quicker ("I believe I still hold the MSNBC record: I came back to guest host for three days in 2003 and 39 days later I had a contract to do the 8 PM show.").

Comments

[Tommygun264]

As someone who had the great good fortune of meeting Rachel & Susan on the Air America Radio cruise this past February and in exchanging correspondence with Dr. Maddow since then, I can bear witness to the fact that in addition to being wicked smart, she is one of the nicest, kindest, most genuine people you could ever hope to meet, a beautiful individual, both inside and out and most deserving of this latest opportunity. As anyone who knows the least bit about Rachel would know, if she is reading this she will be red as a beet at this point, so I will end my adulation and say that I could not be happier for you, Rachel. In a world and a career field where the saying "nice guys finish last" is considered a truism, you are the exception to the rule. I am confident that if you follow your instincts, be yourself and don't let the suits convince you to do otherwise, you will accomplish anything you put your mind to. Congratulations, kiddo. You've done good.

Tom in Honolulu

[67yrolfe]

I want to add my voice to those delighted that Rachael now has a network voice, hopefully as a commentator. I sincerely hope they will allow her to continue to express her opinions freely. For all you right wing nut cases who are screaming liberal media -- DON’T! You have your own 24 hour network spewing hate. So slink on over and wallow in it. To any of you liberal thinking folks expressing thoughts for MSNBC to fire people – DON’T! I don’t like the Scarborough crowd either but don’t act like the right wing nut cases. I believe in freedom of speech. I don’t have a problem with real commentators who are allowed to express their opinions, whether they are liberal or conservative as long as they are not ‘yelling fire in a crowded theater’ like the Hannity’s and Limbaugh’s of the world. I’m glad to have Keith, Rachael and sometimes liberal Mathews able to express their opinions and interview guest who agree with them. I’d like to see Jack Cafferty join MSNBC with an hour. So give Scarborough and Gregory and even Joe Watkins (the company black dude) their own one hour show as commentators. I believe if the American people heard all sides in a truly fair and balanced format; our side would win out. I hope MSNBC is moving toward such a format. I’m tired of the CNN – we report, you decide PHONY format and five minute arguments between two talking heads on both networks.

[klandish]

Uhmmm that was good!

[neo1]

YES! Congratulations Rachel and my 8-10 time frame is now LOCKED IN to Keith and Rachel. YES, YES, YES. The best most righteous news in America.

Eat your heart out O'Reilly and Limburger!

[112985]

NO!!!! I WILL NEVER WATCH MSNBC UNLESS IS MORNING JOE!!! or CHRIS MATTHEWS - CANNOT STAND T0 LOOK AT HER TALK!!!!!

[esgabel]

Close your eyes!

[aflyinyoursoup]

Rachel, I am a 59 year-old married male, once conservative, straight, Viet Nam Vet with a beautiful 26 year old son, who doesn't care at all about "sexual inclination". That is a personal matter that has of late been used as a Machiavellian politacal wedge by the so-called right. I am absolutely extatic that you will bring us a most-needed fresh perspective of our dire social, economic and political landscape. Thank you Rachel. You are a sight for sore-souls! Godspeed!

[SouthPrairie]

You help to confirm my hope that America is truly coming along. A lovely post.

[repubstheirownworstenemy]

Hooray! Rachel is one of the smartest, wittiest and clear-thinking pundits on the tube.

She will be a welcome replacement for a guy who (IMHO) is a blow-hard.

[MemphisBuffalo]

sexy and smart a winning combo in my book

[SlappHappy]

Sexy? If you're another lesbian, maybe.

[alltwisty]

Um, yeah!

[BoshSpong]

This is a brilliant move.
A bright, clear headed, master of communication, who understands the absurdity of the media; a erudite, educated, plain spoken woman who “gets it” and knows how to pass it on… Finally, another voice of reason who speaks with wit, intelligence and ever so subtle authority in that desert place we call the media
Well, my progressive friends, this proves that God does listen to liberal minded folks when they cry out in anguish and despair!
I have reached the point that I am willing to do anything to get some plain COMMON SENSE on the air, prayer and meditation included. Though Keith may at times be accused of coming off as sanctimonious; he is a life raft and a giant amongst the pusillanimous talking heads (King, Wolf, Cooper, et al).
I love listening to Keith speak with wit, authority and no nonsense clarity. Now we have a bright shining star to light the path as the eve goes on.
I will continue to purchase GE appliances for as long as these two bright independent clear speaking folks stay on the air. BRAVO!!!

[neo1]

My sentiments exactly. Going to find me a GE new TV tomorrow. I love it!

[ECB]

She is very intelligent, quick and not afraid to take a stand.

[Demetre]

My very favorite broadcast journalist/media personality is finally getting her own cable news show! Air America Radio's Rachel Maddow will be hosting the 9 PM EST slot on MSNBC, currently held by the brittle and usually startled-looking Dan Abrams.

Why do I love this woman? She completely understands the general absurdity of the medium she is working in and can impart hopelessly grim news and analysis with the utmost humor and cheer.

There have been many women newscasters over the years (Walters, Sawyer, Chung, - and soon - Couric) who have played the game but were ultimately relegated to the entertainment sidelines. I predict that the tough and brilliant Maddow, at a mere 35 years of age, is poised to attain an even greater stature as a serious journalist and social critic. I have listened to her excellent radio show for a few years now, but have more recently been amazed at the way she can elucidate truths and introduce complexities while mixing it up with the usual talking heads on MSNBC's more tepid programming (Hardball with Chris Matthews, David Gregory's Race for the White House, etc.)

What's more, unless CNN's Anderson Cooper comes out of the closet in the next two weeks, Maddow will be the first out gay or lesbian member of the press to host his or her own news show on a major network.

[DaveC19]

She deserves it, she has a higher IQ than all of the right wing wackos combined.

[Sixtwo]

HurRay, hurray! SOUND OFF WITH RACHEL MADDOW!

[BonnieG123]

I love Rachel and have been a proponent of her getting her own show for a long time. However, adding her to the line up is one thing but replacing Dan is another. My favorite example I use to encourage others to watch Dan’s show is to point out the many letters he received during the primary race where half said how obvious it was that he was a Hilary fan and the other half equally as emphatically said he was clearly on Obama’s side. Dan was so great at his job we never knew for sure where he stood. He is funny, smart as they come, quick witted and has a unique talent to cross over between even the most serious topics to entertainment . With his astute questions he has educated us, delved deeply into unchartered waters, ruffled the feathers of Dick Cheney and then brought us over to a humorous subject without missing a beat and doing so seemingly effortlessly. On Monday I was so excited to go to MSNBC (for a private tour) and had looked forward to telling Dan in person how much I loved his show. Although disappointed that my 2 ½ hour “visit” didn’t include a personal introduction I figured there would be another opportunity. Hopefully MSNBC is smart enough to give Dan another slot!

[yoli647]

Now let's dump Scarborough and Mika!

[ECB]

Don't forget David G.

[BARRY08]

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR HER NEW SHOW:

" WELCOME RACHEL"

" HERE IS RACHEL "

"JOIN RACHEL"

"RACHEL CALLS IT AS IS "

[NoSandwiches]

Sweeeeeeet!
Dan Abrams show sucked. So silly with the win lose or draw theme.

I hope they let Rachel be herself.

She's so smart, excellent at keeping her cool, using reason even when others are resorting to personal attacks, and poking holes in the silly talking points of the righties.

She is a lot more conservative than many people realize, but she is on the reasonable side of every issue I've heard her discuss.

Loved her when she stood in for Keith, especially when she held up a Keith mask and channelled him!