Popular pundit Rachel Maddow will host a new talk show on MSNBC, catapulting the Air America host and progressive favorite into a prime time field largely dominated by male and conservative anchors.

MSNBC is set to officially announce the decision on Wednesday, but the channel's biggest star, Keith Olbermann, broke the news to supporters through a "fully authorized leak" on his diary at DailyKos on Tuesday evening. The jocular host, a longtime Maddow booster, even wrote up a few answers to "key questions" for his blog audience:

No, the format isn't set, though there have been a lot of discussions out there and they have all centered on how to best allow her to both give her laser-quality insights while soliciting the opinions of others.

Yes, I had something to do with it.

Yes, you had something to do with it.

Yes, I did like the description of her in The Nation: "Everything about her radiates competence and a deft, bright careerism."

The show is set to begin on September 8, batting clean-up for Olbermann.

Comments (39)

1. Rachel's show starts on September 8th? Excellent! That's my birthday, and what a great present. The original Star Trek series debuted on my 11th birthday, Sept. 8th of 1966, and Shatner and Nimoy are still out there rockin.' My wife hates the fact that I love to watch Keith, Meet the Press, and other news shows, but she likes Rachel as much as I do. Rachel is low on the sarcasm meter, but long on insight and facts. I look forward to Rachel's show. Hap-py Birthhhday ... to me ...

   Posted by JFKennedy at 08/19/2008 @ 7:17pm

2. Rachel is an extremely intelligent but very wrong on the issues media person. She just brings one more reason why MSNBC stays at the bottom of the ratings.

   Well at least she has a fan in Keith the village idiot Olbermann.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/19/2008 @ 7:22pm

3. Jomamma...why don't you trot on over to those sorry azz conservative sites with your meaningless drivel. This site is for intelligent people with something to say besides trying to tear somebody down. Conservatives are some of the dumbest people on the planet contrary to what they might think.

   Posted by jayneen at 08/19/2008 @ 7:22pm

4. yay! rachel rocks.

   "maybe even draw more than the 300 or so viewers Dobermann commands"

   nah MAASCH, folks like olberman. a few more than 300 too...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 08/19/2008 @ 7:25pm

5. oh the controlls HATE olberman's popularity and success!

   LMAO!!! oh man - they love the liar attack dogs of the right but start fighting back with ugly, unflattering truth and oh....

   THE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH!!!!

   DEEEEEELICIOUS!

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 08/19/2008 @ 7:27pm

6. Jomamma,

   You think that Maddow and Olbermann are lefties, and that MSNBC has generally shifted further to the left? I think you're absolutely right, and I'm grateful for it. Shows on the left of the political spectrum are growing in audience much faster than those on the right, and with Fox Snooze (and even Glenn Beck on CNN Headline News) spewing the neocon party line 24/7, Americans want balance. MSNBC, which like CNN tended to support the Bush administration when the Iraq war began (watch the tapes from March 2003!), saw the error of its ways on many topics, like most Americans. MSNBC realized that the First Amendment gives it not only the right, but the duty, to question its government. As George W. himself might have said, "Power corrupts, and absolute power ... we won't get fooled again ..."

   Posted by JFKennedy at 08/19/2008 @ 7:30pm

7. Know-nothings like Jomamma wouldn't know the real Left if it bit them on the buttocks.

   She should take a look at European political parties or at American and European history.

   In the broader political spectrum, liberals are only center-left.

   The real Left is socialism, anarchism, and communism--not that they agree with one another.

   Posted by redemma at 08/19/2008 @ 7:36pm

8. She should take a look at European political parties or at American and European history.

   Posted by redemma at 08/19/2008 @ 7:36pm | ignore this person | warn this person

   yup, but...

   JOMAMMA'S A MAN BABY!!!!

   lol

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 08/19/2008 @ 7:41pm

9. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/19/2008 @ 7:22pm

   You know, from LVLIB, that's a ringing endorsement for Ms Maddow!

   LOL

   Posted by Maskdelta at 08/19/2008 @ 7:47pm

10. Posted by Maskdelta at 08/19/2008 @ 7:47pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    no kidding! hee hee - LL denouncing something/someone is usually a ringing endorsement to me...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 08/19/2008 @ 8:00pm

11. Posted by Zero at 08/19/2008 @ 8:12pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    olberman makes a career of calling bullshit on rightwing lies, which sounds pretty relevant and worthwhile to me.

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 08/19/2008 @ 8:15pm

12. Great news. And like another respondent, Ms. Maddow will start on my birthday too. I look forward to watching her show while eating my hard earned (and more and more expensive) birthday cake. This is the best present I have received in years. Many thanks to Keith and Rachel. My only other hope is to see Ms. Maddow someday in Congress or maybe even in the White House. Lets see: Maddow and Olbermann in 2012 or 2016? Keith would make a good VP.

    Posted by oldgrendel at 08/19/2008 @ 8:51pm

13. The mainstream media has by and large been little more than cheerleaders for Bush administration policy, and stenographers for its talking points, particularly since 9-11. People like Olbermann and Maddow, who actually critically question government actions, are like a breath of fresh air. I eagerly look forward to Maddow's new show. What a great line-up it'll be to have back-to-back shows hosted by Olbermann and Maddow!

    Posted by billtc at 08/19/2008 @ 8:57pm

14. HAPP finally meets RIO BRAVO

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwfhu-87mbg&feature=related

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/19/2008 @ 9:04pm

15. Jomamma,

    I read blogs from a number of everyday people from time to time, and I wonder: how do you define a liberal, and how do you define a conservative? I really am interested to know. I think some people (perhaps not you) use those terms without knowing what they mean. I'm not asking what the key attributes are that characterize a conservative or a liberal, but what actually defines those terms; what's at their essence. I ask this question without calling names, and trying to avoid being sarcastic, and am confident you'll do the same. Thanks.

    Posted by JFKennedy at 08/19/2008 @ 9:27pm

16. I've liked Rachel Maddow since the 1st time I saw her way back when. Wow, 3-4 years-- has it really been that long already? Kinda like it was only yesterday...

    Hey BTW-- has anyone ever put Rachel's mug up next to Katrina's?

    Posted by hsuBfools at 08/19/2008 @ 9:40pm

17. Put this up:

    http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080818/traister

    next to:

    http://tinyurl.com/6f4ffv

    Hey-- mirror image (give a decade or so)-- even the same teeth!?!?!

    Posted by hsuBfools at 08/19/2008 @ 9:53pm

18. The Dem party today is infested with leftys than would make JFK sick.

    Posted by JOMAMMA

    pinko earwigs just waiting to deregulate.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/19/2008 @ 9:53pm

19. NEOCONS MAY "WIN" IN NOVEMBER

    their secret 24/7 CORPORATE PROPAGANDA

    GOOGLE NEWS:

    1,316 for bogus, swiftboat "obama nation"

    24 for Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Suskind's EXPLOSIVE, FACTUAL Bush expose book "The Way of the World"

    Posted by winyahn at 08/19/2008 @ 10:16pm

20. This is excellent news, and a good addition as balance against the rightwing dominated propaganda machine.

    Dr. Maddow is insightful and entertaining. I hope the format can blend expert knowledgable people and good communicators.

    Again -- good news for modern man and woman

    Posted by delonix at 08/19/2008 @ 10:55pm

21. GO RACHEL!!!

    MAYBE YOU CAN EVENTUALLY REPLACE THAT CLOWN AT 8 PM AND GIVE US SOME "COGENT" INSIGHT/OPINION!!!--SO HE CAN GO BACK TO ESPN AND BE BRILLIANT ONCE AGAIN!!!!!

    Posted by marbiol at 08/19/2008 @ 11:11pm

22. same ol' non-news

    drop in the desert = nothing

    msnbc/lockheedmartin = MEGACORP

    The ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have spurred strong growth in Pentagon ... Lockheed Martin, $27.9 billion...

    Lynne Cheney --7 YEAR member of the Board of Directors of the Lockheed-Martin earned more than $300000 *last year* in retainers and stock compensation as a director at defense contractor Lockheed-Martin

    Posted by winyahn at 08/19/2008 @ 11:54pm

23. MEGACORP Clear Channel is 24/7 ANTI- Rachel Maddow

    Clear Channel owns 1200 radio stations with annual revenue of more than $6 billion

    Limbaugh

    Hannity

    Coulter

    Malkin

    Savage

    Beck

    Boortz

    OReilly

    No-Maddow

    Posted by winyahn at 08/20/2008 @ 12:14am

24. A few people that have posted here seem to think that what we have in cable news is "balance". Maddow has a great radio program (which I hope she continues to do), a sense of humor and is really a liberal. If folks have accepted the current state of cable news as "centered" or "fair and balanced" it doesn't surprise me that they don't recognize what a real liberal looks like... Maddow dissects the news in a very different way, removing the crap and giving a different opinion as well as critiques of the media. Maddow is a great liberal to have on television (... and radio).

    Posted by dadixon at 08/20/2008 @ 12:29am

25. Conservative/Liberal

    What are these terms??? You know the Conservatives continue to beat the Liberals for bigger government. Why do you think that the unemployment rate is so bouyed, because of Government hirings!! Conservatives always talk about tax and spend about the Democrats. Who had the last Surplus??? And what about all those little tidbits placed into non-relevant bills just for gravy for the incumbant politician??? You know, in life there should not be any division, because we are, first, in this all together.. Just remember that, PLEASE

    Posted by shriphoot at 08/20/2008 @ 07:42am

26. Unfortunately, her partisanship makes it possible to know virtually what she will say about an issue before she opens her mouth. This makes her little better than an Ann Coulter of the Left: ie.,not to be taken seriously.

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 08:50am

27. This makes her little better than an Ann Coulter of the Left: ie.,not to be taken seriously.---Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 08:50am

    I'm sorry...Ann Coulter?!?!??!

    Have you ever SEEN Rachael Maddow on MSNBC????

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/20/2008 @ 09:38am

28. Finally a normal person,But than I'am prejudice I like normal people.It"s not hard to be normal. Watch how easy it is.Than change the channel and watch Americans Anus report it view,its crappie.

    Posted by legion at 08/20/2008 @ 09:40am

29. CONGRATULATIONS, Rachel! I have been a fan ever since you first started appearing on MSNBC, and have been hoping to see you get your own show! It's about time we got a great female political hero! You are the anti-Ann Coulter. xoxo

    Posted by Bob_Loblaw at 08/20/2008 @ 10:18am

30. left or right is irrelevant, a good reporter reports fact and that is what rachel does and that is what is needed!!!!

    Posted by FRANKENSTYLE1968 at 08/20/2008 @ 10:55am

31. Yes, I've seen her Mask. Perhaps from the "sound" of your incredulity, I havn't seen her enough. My point is she's got one way of looking at things, just like Coulter,(oh alright O'Reilly then)which makes her info suspect.

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 11:17am

32. Congratulations Rachel! My husband and I only trust your reporting for balanced, informative and thought provoking news. You deserve it!!! Oh MSNBC too!

    Posted by stoni4 at 08/20/2008 @ 11:21am

33. Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 11:17am

    Well, CHIP...EVERYBODY has a "way of looking at things".

    But setting aside political difference... surely you see a difference between the way a Rush Limbaugh or Michael Savage says something.....and the way a William F. Buckley Jr. said something.

    Plus if her "info is suspect", seems the Right will be the FIRST to knock her on her butt....and they haven't yet.

    While Coulter runs at the mouth (to sell books, btw) then has to "walk it back" when it's offensive or just plain wrong, almost once a month.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/20/2008 @ 11:50am

34. Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 11:17am

    I agree with you altogether. But Rachel isn't nearly as far fetched as Ann Coulter.

    "I've decided to cut out the part of the speech where I say anything nice about Democrats. "

    "If we're so cruel to minorities, why do they keep coming here? Why aren't they sneaking across the Mexican border to make their way to the Taliban? "

    "The Democrats have no actual policy proposals of their own unless constant carping counts as a policy. "

    Just a few gems from Coulters incredibly moronic mind. It amazes me that people like her actually make it anywhere in this world. In the ideal world she wouldn't have a career.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/20/2008 @ 12:25pm

35. Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/20/2008 @ 12:25pm

    Plus, I seriously doubt Rachel Maddow (even if she wasn't gay) would call people "faggots" (as Coulter did of John Edwards) or call Arabs "ragheads" (as Coulter also did) or ANYTHING "equivalent" to that.

    I think CHIP's trying to play the "Everybody does it" game where it doesn't apply at all.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/20/2008 @ 12:55pm

36. Ok I've taken cover!

    I still think though, if you want objectivity, (which I know can't ever be totally achieved) we need to keep looking.

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 2:39pm

37. I think this is awesome!! My wife and I love her on countdown she is excellent at her job!! All the Republicans complaining go on back to fox and get all the lies and misstated talking points!! republicans love to say we have a liberal media when corporate America owns most of our news media and the American people are starting to realize they can not trust this republican run media. Like ABC, CBS, CNN, CBS even went so far as to doctor a interview with McCain so he would not look stupid and got cought!! I just thank God NBC (MsNBC) Are not falling into this same trap!!

    Posted by Eaglesnest at 08/20/2008 @ 3:08pm

38. Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 08/20/2008 @ 2:39pm

    Okay, CHIP...I agree Maddow (hailing from "Air America Radio") could legitimately be called a "liberal commentator"...

    but comparing her to a self-promoting rabble-rouser like Coulter was too much.

    BTW, who do YOU consider "objective" in the Media?

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/20/2008 @ 3:15pm

39. Jomamma, you have just been added to my Ignore list. Because your ignorance deserves it.

    Posted by notbuyingit at 08/20/2008 @ 3:57pm