|
NYTV
It’s a Maddow, Maddow World
MSNBC’s fresh-faced host glows under the hot lights in Denver
MORE
NYTV
A few minutes before 11 p.m. on Aug. 25, Rachel Maddow was sitting behind a desk in a double-decker, alfresco television studio her television network, MSNBC, had erected near the old train tracks that cut through downtown Denver, from which Ms. Maddow was to punditize to the public from the near environs of the Democratic National Convention.
“It should be noted that this is a four-night infomercial,” she said.
The heat of the afternoon sun had long before dissipated and a mild breeze blew across the city. After four hours of live television, Ms. Maddow and her colleagues at MSNBC were looking sun-tired as they wrapped their coverage of the opening night of the Democratic convention.
Moments earlier, from the convention floor, Brian Williams had joked that nobody was left in the Pepsi Center’s main hall except the people who were picking up the trash.
At a signal from behind the camera, Nora O’Donnell kicked the broadcast back to Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, who signed off. Ms. Maddow bounded off the stage and walked toward the perimeter barriers of her makeshift TV set; the passersby and MSNBC fans had been gathering there throughout the day to gawk at the cable news fauna at close range, like they were in some kind of nature park, and for the holdouts this was their payoff. For the next several minutes, Ms. Maddow was shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for some cell-phone pictures while others were being taken clandestinely.
After 15 minutes of this, a publicist sidled up to let her know that her car service had arrived. Time for the gang to head back to the hotel.
Ms. Maddow accepted one last congratulatory handshake from MSNBC’s president, Phil Griffin; rounded the corner of the set; and broke into a big smile. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Ms. Maddow, sizing up her ride home. An enormous, cream-colored limousine awaited. It was a stretch Escalade.
Those remaining on set chuckled and moved closer.
“It’s got a light carbon footprint,” somebody yelled.
Keith Olbermann took photos as the massive, tricked-out partymobile swallowed the MSNBC political panel whole: Michelle Bernard and Eugene Robinson, Pat Buchanan and Rachel Maddow.
The inside of the stretch Escalade had the pundits in stitches. There were Champagne glasses, leather seats, tinted windows, disco lights, and outrageously cheesy, curvy everything. “It’s like Battlestar Galactica in here,” said Ms. Maddow. “This is how MSNBC rolls out.”
Ms. Maddow leaned back. It had been a good night of television. But the live crowd had confounded her. How do you treat them? If they yell your name, do you respond? If you respond, do you do it on the air or off? At one point, the crowd behind Ms. Maddow had booed McCain surrogate Nicolle Wallace. Instinctively, Ms. Maddow had turned around and encouraged them to clap instead. But it was awkward. What’s the right strategy, she wondered?
Shortly after dawn on Monday morning, some 18 hours earlier, Ms. Maddow had woken up at the Cherry Creek Hotel, in a quiet neighborhood in central Denver. She showered and threw on a pair of jeans and an untucked button-down short-sleeve shirt. Downstairs, she ordered an omelet. The egg guy was cool. He was a skateboarder, and he dug Ms. Maddow’s sneakers. Next Page >
She is cute as hell. Much younger than her 35 years. I love on of the last lines.
“Know how you can tell a crime isn’t going to be successful?” Ms. Maddow asked her new friends. “Crystal meth.”
Last night I said to Chris that you are some criminal if you cannot even make it through the city lines because you are f-up. I like Maddow's line.
I also think it is cute that she and Buchanan are buddies. I really do not see any anger from any of the four of them. Without Gregory it is fun and smarter discussions.
Rachel Maddow is ,by far, the brightest and most insightful political analyst in the media. NBC would do well to name her the permanent host of Meet The Press.It would be nice to have one news show that is issue focused and sans trivial "gotcha" questions and beltway incestuous parlor games.
I think Rachel is the best thing on MSNBC.
Ms. Maddow, Ms. Maddow, Ms. Maddow.
We get it.
I'm not a regular reader of this pub. -- do you always put "speed bumps" in your copy?
Couldn't you just do J-101:
1st ref: full name
2nd: Ms. maddow
3rd and all subsequent: Maddow.
Yes, boris rollo, that's an excellent idea. She would be superb as host of Meet the Press. She's highly intelligent and personable, and she gets right to the heart of any subject. With all of the blowhards out there, she provides the kind of analysis, insight, and debate that I want to hear.
I love the way she blushes when her intelligence is commented on by Keith. MSNBC's little ninja. Wherever and whenever Rachel is on TV I'm there. As Keith would say - case closed.
The lady is an absolute meteor. She's burst on the scene with an intellect and articulation that is seldom, if ever seen. Of course she could never host MTP because she doesn't bother to come across as an 'on the other hander', aka 'try not to let 'em see you think'...she's a relative newcomer to the 'good ol boy' fraternity...and she's openly gay. I love it and I love her and my wife knows it.
Don't take any crap off anybody Rachel - Youdaman!
I LOVE Rachel. Loved her ever since she began on Air America!
I hope MSNBC reads the positive comments about Rachel. She is truly brilliant in every regard. I agree with so many others that her replacing Tim R. on Meet The Press would be a stroke of good sense on the producer's part.
So a fringe left-wing sycophant stands out at MSNBC? A low rated cable outlet that's a subsidiary of the Obama campaign. Big deal. When Olbermann and Maddow have the guts to step out and debate then you'll have something. Right now they're both purveyors of unchallenged propaganda.
I'll be anxiously awaiting her new show. She's informative and entertaining. Good luck Rachel!
Rachel is great because she is intelligent and can articulate that intelligence. She is also unbelievably quick. There is so much nepatism in the media and sucking up the ladder going on that genuine talent has become a rarity and stands out when it is seen. I am delighted she is getting her own show. As for MTP it is unlikely that a partisan would ever be given that gig. I think Chuch Todd is a likely choice even though I am not convinced that he is not right of center. As long at it isn't Brian Williams or David Gregory or someone plucked from retirement it will probably continue to be a Sunday morning staple. I have one critism of the article and that is that Rachels orientation is newsworthy. Hopefully, soon, such things that have nothing to do with a persons talents will not even be mentioned as a pertinent factor.
Rachel is a real winner. Smart, educated, witty and human--what more could a broadcast outfit want. I can't wait for her show to go on.
Danny has obviously been consumed by the green-eyed monster. Or is an EXTREMELY low information voter, with badly scraped knuckles.
Rachel is the bomb. She is smart, sincere and honest. The thing I like about her the most is that she does her homework just like Olberman, that's why they know their stuff. I would like for her or Olberman to take over from Brokaw on Meet the Press. Brokaw sucks. If they take Rachel for Meet the Press, put the young Russert on Rachel's time spot. I bet Russert would keep and bring in more young viewers. Think about it, Rachel is awesome, they also need a young anchor like Russert. My college student loves the Olberman show and I'm know he would love to watch his own peer in Russert anchor a show similar to Olberman but from a younger viewer's point of view. Please MSNBC do this:
Rachel to anchor Meet the Press
Russert to follow Olberman's show.
or
Olberman to anchor Meet the Press
Rachel to take over Olberman's spot
Russert to take over Rachel's spot.
That would be great!
Vote for President Obama
Here's hoping that Rachel will lift the level of political discourse spewing out all over teeveeville. She already embarrasses whoresspondents so used to making making inane comments...and up to now, getting away with it. Here's to hoping for a new trend in "reality" teevee and a revival of informed American citizenry.
I sure hope I don't sound like you when I talk about FOX News, though it does appear you stole my argument.
Great idea. Rachel for hosting MEET THE PRESS
I try my best to work my schedule to hear her radio show. If you haven't listened to her show, you should. She begins every show speaking of the days events in IRAQ. She keeps her eye on what is always important o Americans, honors our troops and their plight under the Republican administration, has wonderful conversations that everyone can understand, is passionate about her feelings yet listens to ohers and never trivializes issues. A great pick-up for NBC who needs this boost. She is a star!
That's Dr. Maddow, guys. She's got a doctorate, you know.
Otherwise, awesome article. Oh, Rachel, you big booze hound. :D
Here, Here and Amen to that!
Without a doubt, Rachael Maddow, Jodie Foster and the girl who married Ellen Degeneres last week are 1-2-3 on my "LILF" list
Keep it up, Rachel. I've been with you since Air America
Rachel is one of the most well informed TV personalities on any network, and will be an asset to NBC for quite a long time. Its been wonderful to sit back and watch her career blossom, and now shes getting a chance to step it up another level.
I also would love to see her as host of MTP, and I think she's capable of doing it through a non-partisan lens and still ask the questions that need to be asked
God you're one dumb muthafucker.
I bet you voted for Bu$h.
Great article. I enjoyed it very much. I like hearing about Dr. Rachel Maddow. I think she is a rising star in the media circuit. She is intelligent, sharp, articulate, and well informed, plus she has a good sense of humor. I hope she can stay above the politics at MSNBC. Finally she knows everything you need to know about mixing a good drink.
How they let such an articulate, intelligent, well informed, street smart, funny lesbian sneak onto national tv as a cable tv show political analyst is beyond me. It must of been a fantastic accident! I absolutely love Rachel and can't wait for her new show to start.
She cuts through all the CW bullshit that everybody else spouts as gospel and gets straight to the heart of the matter. In the process she manages to quickly, cleanly but politely gut her opponents such as Pat Buchannan and Tucker Carlson like a poached deer.
She is excellent! Go Rachel go!
Rachel, you are the best since slice bread. I cannot wait for your show. I look forward every night to one hour nightly with Olberman, now I can have two hours of the real "Fair Balance and Informative" reporting. Thank you OB for your help in making this happen.
I guess that makes you a regular watcher of the fringe right-wing sycophants at foxnews , where it's like that 24 hours a day, ey? Or a Glenn Beck fan?
Please, tell me your airtight, uber objective news source, and I'll start watching it.
Rachel is truly the best. Now that she is on MSNBC, I will watch her as well as Keith Olberman. The others on MSNBC (Chris Matthews, Morning Joe - Willie and Mika, Pat Buchanan, Andrea Mitchell, Tucker Carlson, Mike Murphy and even David Gregory) are the pits. We are in the 21st century and there is no need to go backwards. Those guys spew racism and most of their reportings are untruths. Unbelievable. Except for Keith and Rachel, MSNBC is equal to FOX NEWS.
Most people can survive hard times; success is what destroys many of the survivors. I hope Rachel Maddow can cope with the pressure of the "big time". She is a wonderfully genuine, normal person with tremendous talent.