Rachel Maddow On Conan, Talks Fan Mail From Straight Men, Favorite Childhood Game Called "Iran" (VIDEO)

Rachel Maddow, the increasingly popular MSNBC host and the subject of a new Newsweek profile, appeared on Conan O'Brien Friday night for what proved to be an entertaining chat. One particularly amusing part of the interview involved Maddow talking about being a serious child--"I was sort of born a little old guy"--whose favorite childhood game was called "Iran," which was based on the Iran-Iraq war. She also discussed her fan mail, which tends to include lots of letters from straight man asking about being a lesbian.

WATCH:

Comments

[JonSmiley]

Wasn't the Shah overthrown before the Iran-Iraq war even started?

[break]

The Shah was overthrown in 1979 by the Islamic Revolution, which opened the door for Sadam Hussien to take advantage of what he saw as a weakened state and attack Iran less than a year later. So, the overthrow of the Shah could be seen as the catalyst for the war. But that's just my opinion:)

[OrganOfThought]

If by catalyst you mean the US selling Sadam weapons with the specified intent of him using it against Iran, then OK.

Should we dig up the documents and pictures of Rumsfeld meeting with Sadam shortly before the war started?

[SurrealPumpkin]

She was 7. I'm impressed that the war made enough of an impression to base a game on.

[JestMe]

They still have a Shaw. A new living one. Kinda like a Pope.

[OrganOfThought]

What the f are you talking about?

[Beowolf741]

I'm a straight man who would enjoy meeting Rachel Maddow. I wouldn't mind meeting a straight woman with Rachel's character and personality for a deeper relationship.

[MarxMarvelous]

Rachel Maddow is the anti-Sarah Palin.

[Aabby]

yup yup

[Soundofthunder]

It's nice to see "smart" has come out of the closet, too.

SOT

[SouthPrairie]

So true, so true.

[AlaskanWannaB]

Palin made "smart" fashionable again....

[sophia5]

She is the most likable liberal pundit because she seems to have some objectivity.

[flydoghead]

smart is the new sexy

[jportnick]

I couldn't love Rachel Maddow more. What a giant breath of fresh air she is to television! I love that she is smart, highly educated, funny, open, and never belittling to her opponents. When David Frum challanged her on the nature of her show she handled him swiftly, deftly, and with dignity.

Rachel-- You rock! So glad you're on TV, and we'll do all that we can to contribute to your outstanding ratings.

[Mauimom]

In the Newsweek article [see link above], the author attempted to speak approvingly of FRUM!!! Jeeze. I watched that show, and he was not only rude, but a complete d**k.

[break]

I agree completely...he also looked like he was constipated (all that squirming and twitching was funny as hell)

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Smart, funny and positive. I love watching her. I like her geekiness too.

[preemptivelove]

i'm a married, straight, middle-aged woman....and i have a crush on her. does that make ME gay????

[ekwbowen]

Dear Preemptivelove,

YES!

Love,
RM

[Aabby]

no. She has boyish qualities that attracts straight women.

[Ides]

So if a man is attracted to Stuart Townsend, he's not gay? It's just that Stuart Townsend has feminine qualities?

[cdnbrrrrr]

the gay/straight dichotomy is a false one - in my opinion and experience most of us are bisexual, just with varying levels of repression. rachel's hotness, in large part, comes out of her androgyny and defiance of gender codes - and the fact that she's unapologetic about it. she's the perfect example of why our traditional notions of male/female, gay/straight are limiting and outdated.

[functor]

she is gay? I thought she is lesbian....lol

[Gainsbourg69]

I luuuv Rachel. Smart, funny and possitive are a lethal combination.

[khiva]

She is sooo great. I was a huge fan when she was "just" an Air America radio jock. I am so glad to see her meteoric rise to national celebrity. Have fun with it Rachel! Please don't let it change you.

[FlamingLibrul]

I'm a Gay girl who belongs to an email-linked group that branched off from the News Hole; the blog for Countdown. After the past few years of good-naturedly listening to the straight female Olby fans go on and on about how handsome Keith is, talking about his tie colors and different optical wear styles, I now have my very own smarty-pants, hot lesbian to crush on. I couldn't be happier- for Rachel or for me!

[folksonomy]

I'm a straight female fan of both Keith and Rachel's shows, and I have, and have had, a huge crush on Rachel. Regardless of her sexual orientation, she's smart, funny, and not afraid to be herself--which equals the type of person I admire.

[jellinda]

Rachel Maddow is the best representative of why people must be NO on 8! She's smart, funny, insightful, clear-thinking and the best thing in the news biz today. America is lucky to have her at this time in our history.

[StillAmused]

Gawd, I love smart!

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