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.

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Comments

[truth2008]

I HEART Rachel, her show is great. WTG Rachel!

[Mahi Joe]

Simply put she is a refreshing change from the rest of the teleprompt reading newscasters and political pundits. She has a high intellect and can not only be totally informative but humorous as well. She will do quite well into the future and most probably will set a standard for future political talk show hosts. Keep up the great work Rachel!

[Canuck27]

I too am a Rachel lover but I have been having some misgivings lately.I worry that Rachel has been spending too much time and effort on being funny as apposed to being informative. I don't mind a little political humor but what I really want is a lot more of her deep intelligence and knowledge. Let Jon Stewart and Bill Maher et al handle the funnies Rachel and give me access to that great big brain and tell me stuff I don't know but should know.

[Vincero]

well..if you think you are the ONLY person watching her you might have a point.

let Rachel be Rachel.

its a win, win.

[preemptivelove]

have you been listening to her for a while? her radio show was always funny and silly. her air america show has been funny for years. this is nothing new. it's who she is and who she has always been. maybe it's the format of a show like hers or k.o's on a news channel that bothers you? don't know, but she has ALWAYS been funny in her shows, whether radio or tv.

[break]

I think the funny is well balanced with the informativ­e...beside­s news is depressing enough without having to sit through someone like Blitzer telling it to me...no offense to Blitzer and the like:) but I want my information with a little relief

[mamacat]

I love it when she has on very important politicians, or even Paul Krugman, and they disagree on fundamentals. What is wrong with smart people disagreeing?

[JoeBear55]

Rachel is awesome, I'm a gay man so I can say it actually anyone can say it.

[strifeknot]

She's great. If you like her TV show, check out her radio show. It's even better.

[Tommygun2146]

I've got it even worse than the straight guys - I'm a gay man with a crush on Rachel Maddow. Without her glasses and makeup she looks a lot like a young Will Wheaton.

But in all seriousness, it's a totally intellectual crush. If only I could find a man with Rachel's charm, wit and intelligence. I had the great fortune of meeting Rachel and her partner Susan on the first AAR cruise in February and they were both very open and kind. Rachel is every bit as friendly and unpretentious as she appears on television. Sadly, I couldn't afford to go on the second cruise which is currently under way. Oh well, hopefully there will be another and I will be able to afford it soon.

WE LOVE YOU, RACHEL! MADDOW ROCKS!!!

[jeplanet]

I'm a straight woman, and I feel the same way.....
"If only I could find a man with Rachel's charm, wit and intelligen­ce."

Rachel Maddow is AWESOME !!!!!

[OregonMaggie]

I'm a bi-woman and I'd like to find EITHER a man or a woman with Rachel's charm, wit, intelligence, and beauty. Sigh.

[sueNaustin]

You finally nailed it for me as to who she resembles! You are so right that she looks like Wil (the 1 "l" in Wil is intentional -- that is how he spells his name) Wheaton from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Thank you so much -- it always softly nagged at me as to who she reminded me of ....

[aznurse]

My favorite part of her show is when she reports things that she thinks should be a headline.
Its great!

[rhondadavis28]

love her

married and not interested in Rachel's personal life but her political humor and insight.

watch her after Keith and laugh at her execellent points

nice job Rachel - hope your show keeps out the great job!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

[Myshkin57]

I like Maddow and i like her show, but what I'd really like is a segment that is just in-depth, non-partisan explanation of legislation.

We don't all have time to read every bill and it wouldn't be nice if at least one media source would help people stay informed about such things instead of just the inaccurate Cliff's Notes versions we currently get.

[Beamreach]

What a great idea. Maybe they could cut that goofy "just enough" segment and put that in its place. Of course, that segment does give me a chance to start the dishwasher.

[Tommygun2146]

Bite your tongue! Or should I say, bite your fingers, for typing such a thing. Kent Jones is the best. He was Rachel's on-air sidekick for years on Air America Radio until his contract was not renewed due to budget cuts and he was gone in less than a week after getting the news. At the end of his last episode with Rachel on her radio show, she vowed that someday, whether at AAR or elsewhere, they would work together again. "Just Enough" is that promise come to fruition. While I will be the first to admit that the more serious tone of her television show does not allow Kent Jones to let his comedic freak flag fly and show us his best, it is great to have him back.

[allwrite]

HuffPo posted a link (or re-printed) the recent amendments to FISA this summer. Don't know if we can expect this routinely.

[Balzac]

We're in a time of breaking down barriers, so what if Conan O'Brian ravaged Rachel Maddow on TV in front of a live studio audience? That would be audacious indeed.

[auramac]

Audacious? Uh, yeah..

Funny, no. And ridiculous- yes.

Kinda stupid, too- or don't you see that?.... Hmm.. guess not.

[GiannaX]

Huh?

[NoSandwiches]

From american heritage dictionary: Sarcastic suggests sharp taunting and ridicule that wounds: “a deserved reputation for sarcastic, acerbic and uninhibited polemics” (Burke Marshall). Ironic implies a subtler form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely: “a man of eccentric charm, ironic humor, and—above all—profound literary genius” (Jonathan Kirsch). Caustic means corrosive and bitingly trenchant: “The caustic jokes … deal with such diverse matters as political assassination, talk-show hosts, medical ethics” (Frank Rich). Satirical implies exposure, especially of vice or folly, to ridicule: “on the surface a satirical look at commercial radio, but also a study of the misuse of telecommunications” (Richard Harrington). Sardonic is associated with scorn, derision, mockery, and often cynicism: “He was proud, sardonic, harsh to inferiority of every description” (Charlotte Brontë).

I would say she is sardonic, not sarcastic.

[InsideBrooklyn]

I'd just take her as my smart younger sister and love to have long winded chats. I'm a hetero guy.

[eden4barack08]

Thanks for clearing that up. ;>)

[ChangeNeeder]

Perhaps some of the tone that some find sarcastic has to do with her being so intelligent --- how many other journalists out there are former Rhode scholars?

[lykitis]

Freshing and bright!