I kinda like Dan Abrams, for whatever reason, and wish she was replacing David Gregory, but this is definitely good news on the talk show front:
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.
Good for her. She has earned it.
Incertus
It only took them how many years to figure out a way to hold onto some of Olbermann’s audience? Well, even a blind squirrel makes a good programming decision once in a while.
Joshua Norton
I know Rachael has been Jonesing for a talking head job. I wonder how long she’ll hang on to Air America.
Conservatively Liberal
I am glad to hear it. Dan is a bit too much to listen to for any length of time and he is in love with the sound of his own voice. While I don’t mind listening to him on occasion, his show was nothing to be sought out. Thin analysis and lots of unnecessary fluff, nothing of any depth.
On the other hand, I can listen to Rachel’s analysis all day long. She is intelligent and sharp on picking up on details that other ‘reporters’ miss or deliberately ignore. She digs into a story and hashes out the details very well.
Good move on MSNBC’s part. I wish her well.
wasabi gasp
Good for her. And, since Rachel won’t be replacing Gregory, maybe they can fill his spot with a video loop of monkeys playing in shit.
Laura W
I just read this on HuffPo and am giddy with glee. Or Ketel One Citreon.
How I wish they’d dumped Scarborough and moved people around to fill his slot o’ shit that is three excruciating hours in the morning you will never get back.
No matter. It’s a start. And now I have NO reason to ever flip over to see who is on Larry King when Abrams gets into stuff I have no interest in. Which he does often. Like KO, actually. When is KO gonna dump the final 30 minutes and fill it with more news and interviews?
BTW, Maher on King tonight. Great news, except I have a feeling King may be there too.
When are they going to get rid of him and put all of us out of our misery? He’s as senile and lost as McInsane. (I read that here earlier and like it. I plan to use it always.)
Brother Flaming Taser of Warm Reason
I’d love to see Rachel hand that dumbass Brad Blakeman his backside rhetorically, he’s such a douche.
Dennis - SGMM
Good move. I wonder how long it will take Maddow’s show to become radioactive for conservatards.
Jake
I hope she’s one of the first to make the point that by the Bush administration’s definitions (and McCain’s help), McCain was never tortured as a POW.
Sullivan nails it.
Conservatively Liberal
Improved.
Louise
This is fantastic news. A liberal woman with her own show? Hallefreakinlujah. About damn time.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to come up with lyrics that start:
“Hope I’m abidin’…”
because I might need them as soon as tomorrow morning.
Zifnab
I thought MSNBC was already tarred as a liberal hate-speech Pravda organ of the DemoNcRat Party of Amerikkka. I’m really just counting the days until she gets Rather’d. Wingnuts haven’t really gone after her like they’ve gone after Olbermann.
Glocksman
While I like Maddow in general, her tendency to peddle the discredited Kellerman studies WRT the gun control debate annoys me.
That said, any damage she can do to McSame is quite welcome.
RandyH
I absolutely LOVE Rachel Maddow and for her to take the 9 PM ET slot is the perfect business move for MSNBC. I can’t wait. I even like her better than Keith Olbermann. But I also like Dan Abrams and his show. Personally I think they should fire Joe Scarboro and replace him with “Morning Dan.” Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
Joshua Norton
Wingnuts haven’t really gone after her like they’ve gone after Olbermann.
I know. And she’s not only a liberal and female, she’s also a lesbian. She’s the trifecta of wingnut hate.
Dennis - SGMM
The harrumphing from Limbaugh alone will probably blow several small boats all the way to Africa.
Mutaman
Just goes to show that if you pander enough to Chris Mathews, the sky’s the limit at MSNBC.
carsick
I believe Abrams is the General Manager at MSNBC so if Gregory’s show (kinda like the reporter but not the show) gets canceled, expect to see him again.
Go Rachel! She has opinions and is not afraid to show them but she’s also civil and considerate and I like that.
Brett
Although Rachel will probably bring in more ratings, I kind of liked Dan Abrams’ speaking on politics on occasion. He was very good at avoiding a kind of “herd mentality” on political issues, particularly back in the primaries.
gil mann
I was just wondering how long her show would be on before the purity cops started taking swipes at her. Guess I’ve got my answer.
Just to be clear, though–by “pandering,” I assume you mean calling out Chris Matthews to his face on-air, right?
w vincentz
Good for Racael. I hope she brings a key opinionist, one with profound insight, to her show. Of course, I’m talking about Paris Hilton.
Charity
I am so freakin’ pleased for her, I can’t stand it!!! Congrats Rachel, thank you Keith for lobbying for her, and thank you MSNBC for doing the awesome thing.
4tehlulz
‘sup Chris?
Conservatively Liberal
Kinda OT, but still ‘Media’ (movie):
Last night I watched Super High Me, a new movie out by comedian Doug Benson. It started out as a joke he was making about the movie about McDonalds (Supersize Me) and Benson wanting to make a movie about him not smoking pot for 30 days and then smoking pot non-stop for 30 days.
He made the movie and it is excellent! Funny, sad, pointed and a bit of an eye opener but it makes its points well. He is evaluated with various tests during both 30 day periods that give interesting, if mixed, results. While smoking weed, his sperm count went way up (about 50% higher than average), his SAT score went up (but the math portion dropped), his psychic evaluation went up 700% (though he is no psychic) and his lung capacity went back to its original level (89%) from the rise he got while not smoking (92%).
It’s a great movie about a hot topic, and I highly recommend it! To make sure that my evaluation was fair, I made sure that I was thoroughly stoned throughout the viewing. Benson shows various clips from his acts during both 30 day periods, and he is definitely funnier when he is stoned. He even comes up with better jokes when he is stoned.
What I thought was interesting was that before the 30 days of being totally wasted, he thought that he would want to take a break from weed afterward because he would be sick and tired of it. He was wrong, as I knew he would be.
iluvsummr
Yay! I never could stand Dan Abrams personally.
rob!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
did you ever think you’d see such an unashamed liberal (and one of teh gays, to boot!) like Rachel Maddow with a nationwide show? only such a colossal failure like George Bush could have brought us such a thing.
first Maddow, next…President Obama. Bush is the gift that keeps on giving.
KC
It’s pretty freakin’ amazing. A real liberal on tv. That said, Rachel’s not going to help Obama unless he starts helping himself. Just today at work I was talking with a girl who was a huge Obama supporter in the primaries, but is now completely disappointed with him. To me, it’s that kind of dejected attitude that will kill Obama in November. If he doesn’t start putting life into the campaign, start going on offense, he’s toast.
Delia
Wow, I don’t think I can handle it. Goodness and reason are expanding in the universe.
maxbaer (not the original)
They’re not quite there. Can we get another harrumph outta that guy?
charlotte
This news about Rachel is especially sweet coming on the heels of the McCainiacs trying to bully NBC into doing their will.
I’ll raise you, Rick Davis …
cain
Keith O wrote a blog post about it on KOS which I thought was pretty funny here
cain
Just Some Fuckhead
Dan Abrams could be the most annoying person to ever get a television show except for Roseanne. Good riddance.
Just Some Fuckhead
And John Stossel, although I think he just gets occasional specials.
harlana pepper
I discovered this when I heard Rachel say it on the radio, as I was driving to the drug store, with a BIG GRIN on my face.
I am just thrilled and Rachel definitely deserves to shine. She is brilliant, quick, telegenic, and completely without pretense. Not to mention being better-informed and way sharper than all the gas bags she has been forced to hang out with lately, put together.
harlana pepper
Dan Abrams not going anywhere, jsf
harlana pepper
woops, i mean he’s still producing the show
i was starting to like Abrams in small doses from time to time, but something about his mouth really sorta creeps me out, so i’m glad i won’t be looking at it anymore
harlana pepper
Stossel sucks the big load
Ninerdave
LAWLZ!!
Good for Rachel!!
What happened to Race for the White House, I liked it a lot when it first started, the last month or so it really has taken a shit. I was a fan of David Gregory’s WH reporting too.
OriGuy
Keith has to find a new guest host now. Any suggestions?
How about Thom Hartmann?
oh really
Maddow. Schmaddow. Did you know John McCain was a POW?
Or was it POS? I forget.
Ninerdave
I like Thom and all, and listen to him now and again, but he’s uber wonkey and makes NPR look like Crossfire. I think TV execs are looking for a bit more pizzazz.
Brian
I can’t help but to agree with what’s posted above, even though I’m not a regular watcher of any of the cable news. She is charming and clearly intelligent. I’d also like to add that I hope she starts stomping on the throat of Sean Hannity.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Damnit, I thought it was David Gregory’s show that she was replacing. My dad was the one who told me the news and said she was replacing Race for the White house.
Ugh. Why can’t they just get rid of David Gregory and his stupid show?!
libarbarian
Freaking Euroweenies
zoe from pittsburgh
Excellent! I’ve been waiting for them to figure out when/how to give her her own show. She’s easily the smartest talking head on teevee with an authentic liberal point of view. I also really love her delivery– she seems to actually enjoy what she’s doing and takes on the absurd rantings of people like Pat Buchanan with a sly, amused smirk.
It’s a twofer for me since I really can’t stand Dan Abrams. Abrams is a weak, faux-outraged mimic of Olbermann who doesn’t seem to understand that he doesn’t have to YELL EVERYTHING HE SAYS– and I absolutely LOVE Rachel. Can’t wait!!!
zoe from pittsburgh
I second that Thomm Hartman needs to be Olbermann’s new guest commentator. I might even send Olbermann an email regarding that idea.
zoe from pittsburgh
I second that Thomm Hartman needs to be Olbermann’s new guest commentator. I might even send Olbermann an email regarding that idea.
Church Lady
I love Rachel on Air America, as a guest on various talk shows and doing election analysis. Subbing for Olbermann, not so much. Of course, it might just be that the format of that particular show doesn’t suit her strengths. I look forward to seeing what the format of her new show will be.
Conservatively Liberal
While I think Gregory can be a good reporter at times, most of time he is mediocre at best. One thing he did that I thought was funny was an impromptu impersonation of Tom Brokaw from a few years ago. I thought it was so funny I captured the clip for the heck of it. I checked out YouTube to see if I could find it but it is not there.
Funny as hell, great impresonation and he pokes good fun at Tom in doing it, but IMO he is not a good show host. He just seems too goofy and his direction is lacking. He doesn’t seem to run the show so much as the show seems to run him.
Mutaman
“Just to be clear, though—by “pandering,” I assume you mean calling out Chris Matthews to his face on-air, right?”
no, I meant when she said Chris is “the best political analyst on television for his knowledge, quickness and ability to be critical while anchoring a broadcast”
1/12/88
just a matter of time before Rachel gets a place up in Nantucket with the rest of the General Electric todies.
Mutaman
sorry
1/12/08
Delia
WRONG. Please remember that his show replaced the Scarborough entity. While Dan could be irritating when he got onto show biz bimbos, he never came close to Joe in the annoying ratings.
The Moar You Know
Your weeping is keeping me awake.
Apsaras
One thing I won’t miss is Dan’s retarded “Who Won The Day” segments and that thing where he gives candidates checkmarks for cheapshots like he’s Washington DC’s fucking kindergarten teacher.
jbarntt
I kinda like Dan Abrams, for whatever reason, and wish she was replacing David Gregory, but this is definitely good news on the talk show front:
I hate to tell you this but Abrams is a man, not a she.
I do understand that in the leftist world sex is regarded as a social construct, not a matter of biology. If you wish to view Abrams as a woman, go for it.
I’m just some dumb idiot conservative, (and you can quote me on that), but I do know the difference between a man and woman. I do apologize for posting such an illiberal thought on a liberal website.
Enjoy your days and nights with Miss Dan Abrams.
Conservatively Liberal
jbarntt, I know that you love to try and take shots at John’s posts or comments every chance you can get, but you seem to always shoot blanks. No difference with this latest shot either.
If you follow the post logically, John states in the title “Maddow Gets Her Show”. He follows that by saying that he likes Abrams and wishes that ‘she’ (Maddow) would be replacing David Gregory. Then he quotes part of the story he linked to which states:
If you read the story from top to bottom, and then put it all together, it makes sense.
I did, and you are. :)
Blue Raven
OK, you’re quoted again. Anyone want to go for the trifecta to really make him feel good?
Mike D.
Okay, so, she’s a she. She’s a lesbian, but who really gives a shit? She’s smacked fellow guests around like Chinatown, which is deeply satisfying to would-be sports freaks who don’t know how football works. So far, so good.
I’ll go on living my life not knowing or caring who she is, but but but… are we going to have a Margaret Cho post-flameout hissy fit again? Because that’s like having to step over one fresh dog turd after another, block after block, until the situation goes away sometime in the 23rd century.
I wish Mz. Maddow all the success in the world, not only because I can ignore her completely — having analyzed her analysis and survived the great white light of enlightenment — but because it’s better never to have loved at all than to have loved and lost. BHO can take on all the lost causes he likes starting twelve hours after the convention ends. In the meantime, no offense to the toddlers, why fling chum into the water?
bago
Smart girl does her research. Finally. Someone.
Conservatively Liberal
I see that you are off to a good start in ignoring her! As to the rest of your rant, wtf is your point?
Maybe jbarntt can provide a translation? ;)
cleek
jbarntt said:
you’ll get no argument here
4tehlulz
You know, for someone who claims not to care, Mike D. expended a bit of energy to trashing Rachel Maddow.
Conclusion: He’s jealous that she’ll get more chicks than he ever will.
John Cole
And the Flying Spaghetti Monster said “Let there be velcro shoes!”
And so it was done.
John Cole
PS: I am telling you that you are too stupid to tie your own shoes, Jbarntt.
Conservatively Liberal
At least you didn’t preface that with “I’ll give you a hint”.
;)
Conservatively Liberal
Calling the moderation team! My comment got stuck in moderation. I wonder if it was the quote in my response? Does this site filter teh stoop1d?
If so, the filter is acting up.
;)
shortstop
And let’s not forget his singular talent at smirkily pronouncing on issues with which he patently had no familiarity. Guy is too stupid to have any idea how stupid he comes off half the time.
Maddow knows her stuff and is fun to watch. This is a great development.
gil mann
It’s kind of a slog the first couple times you read through it, but then the metaphor collisions and non-sequitors start to interact and your third eye takes over reading duties, man. It’s like a text-based whip-it.
Skalite
Oh son of a bitch!
I actually liked Dan Abrams too, he’s fairly consistent at calling out bull-shit while keeping his own to a minimum. I just assumed that she would be replacing Gregory.
Well I’m happy she got a show, but slightly less happy now.
bad dad
With Rachel lost as a guest host for Countdown, expect a return of Alison Stewart. Her Bryant Park Project was recently canceled by NPR, so she’s available.
Mike D.
Actually it’s very simple. Just when you thought it was safe to fly your Donkey flag wild and free, the new superheroine of the left turns out to be Brandon Teena Brandon T. McClosetInverter. Sure, she’s clever. So was G.K. Chesterton. So was Undertaker Kerry and that guy who bellowed victory into a dozen open microphones. You know who else is witty, broadly knowledgeable, incisive and immune to bullshit? Brian, the talking dog from _The Family Guy._ Isn’t it time — exactly now, right this instant — to muddy the waters with a Generation X cartoon alcoholic talking dog? If not now, when? It’s their _turn,_ damn it!
We’re one dirty bomb over Graceland from a heavily medicated President McCain moonwalking across the finish line just to fuck with the reality-based people in the audience and hopefully cause Jesse Jackson’s heart to leap out of his ribcage like an H.R. Giger alien. If we can fuck Georgia in the ass and kick it out of bed without so much as a “see you later”, surely we needn’t pander to the Spawn of Stonewall at this precise moment in time, especially considering the thumpers and snake-handlers are undergoing a collective paper-bag test of the soul (i.e. showing half again the political IQ of Teh Bitterz — “No bullshit, no bluster, there’s two handles and you gotta pull one of ’em. Ready… go.”).
If anybody is confused about the paper bag test, ask your friendly local non-white sorority girl. Or confess your confusion here, in front of the dozens of others who _did_ understand the reference. Either way, the balance of karma will be maintained.
It’s Totally Not Okay If You’re a Democrat. Bugger an underage page, get your next double cheeseburger at half price and never hear it mentioned again. Or… pit a crew-cut wiseass against the revolving stable of Fox Babes, go home empty-handed and all cried out. I swear to God half the choir you guys are preaching to secretly think this stuff is black magic.
Conservatively Liberal
Thanks for the mod save John. :)
Fe E
Followed up by
Conservatively Liberal
Mike D. is a perfect example of what happens when kids don’t pay attention in English class while in school. Mike D. discovered words, but he never learned that they must be put in some kind of order for people to understand what he is saying. Instead, he just thinks that if you put a bunch of words in a post then people will swoon when they see the sheer number of words he successfully spelled correctly.
It must really suck to be a Republican.
ImJohnGalt
If it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll just wait to hear what King Ad-Rock has to say about the matter.