Good news in progressive media
We’ve spent a lot of time discussing the possible demise of progressive talk radio locally, so it’s only right to note when something good happens for progressives in the media:
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.
This move is long overdue. Keith Olbermann’s “Countdown” is the only successful show on MSNBC and Maddow is similar in some ways (though Olbermann is nonpartisan, while Maddow came out of Air America, which is explicitly progressive). Here’s an excerpt from a piece The Nation did about Maddow:
What’s remarkable about Maddow’s ascension is not its velocity — Hurricane Katrina made Anderson Cooper in less than a week — but the shifts in media it may demarcate. Maddow is one of the few left-liberal women to bust open the world of TV punditry, which has made icons of right-wing commentators like Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin. Unlike her beautiful, bilious conservative female counterparts or the cocksure boys-on-the-bus analysts, however, Maddow didn’t get here by bluster and bravado but with a combination of crisp thinking and galumphing good cheer. Remarkably, this season’s discovery isn’t a glossy matinee idol or a smooth-talking partisan hack but a PhD Rhodes scholar lesbian policy wonk who started as a prison AIDS activist.
As much as I love Keith, I think it might be a bit of a stretch to call his show “nonpartisan.” He does what Fox Noise does, just intelligently and truthfully. I am glad to see Maddow getting her own show. Though she isn’t Olbermann, she did do a good job hosting his show for the few weeks he took off.
He says the same things about Bush the conservatives I’m friends with do. That doesn’t mean they aren’t harsh, it just means that you don’t have to be a liberal to think torture, wiretapping, and massive budget deficits are bad.
I have to agree that Olbermann is definitely not nonpartisan. He’s great though.
I third that. He clearly espouses Democratic principles and supports Democratic candidates. He’s great - but part of the reason I believe that is because I believe in so much of what he believes in.
Olbermann is non-partisan to the extent that I’m young and handsome.
Ok, that’s 1/2 a bad analogy. Stick with young.
Dan Abrams was the general manager of MSNBC. The reason he even had a show was because he’s a player at the upper levels of the network. For f’s sake, if you’ve ever watched it and not wondered, “How did this guy get a show?”, ….I thought about being nice but have to say, you’re just stump stupid. He had a segment called “Beat the Press”. He is the f’n press.
Maddow should’ve had “Hardball” when Matthews (who I like) had to extend his vacations because of the diabetes. She stuck to her guns in her demands for editorial control and will easily raise the bar in regards to civility and intelligence.
I like Olberman, try to catch his show whenever I can. I like his intelligence, his passion, and his sense of humor.
Abrams I won’t miss. I used to turn channels when he came on. Boring.
I don’t particularly like Maddow. It’s a personality thing - not a question of her insights and intelligence.
In the past I’ve generally changed channels when I see she’s substitute hosting, so I doubt I’ll watch much of her show.
I will probably check her show out. Right now, Olbermann’s show is the only one in the line up that I watch. I agree that Abrams was boring.
I’ve been looking forward to this for some time, now. Rachel Maddow was always my favourite on Air America, she’s definitely my favourite guest on Countdown (which I watch while I should be working every day) and she’s going to make a great host on her own MSNBC show.
What I like best about her is she’s uncompromisingly Progressive, yet she’s good friends with Pat Buchanan and other people you’d never think she could be friends with. When Pat and Rachel debate, you can tell they really like each other. As partisan as I obviously am, it’s good to see partisanship in good humor. It makes me think a real discussion among opposites can actually still happen in this country.
Be careful what you wish for. Progressives can often be co opted to get spots on network tv, or co-opted one they become part of the “team” I’d rather see Randi Rhodes or Stephanie Miller myself.
Ugh, I know I should support the “home town girl,” but Stephanie Miller ain’t “Sister Sleaze” no mo. God, I hated her program. Sarcasm is not comedy, it’s just childish and petulant.
Randy Rhodes I can dig. And I think she might be better on a television show where she’s debating, whereas I’ve never liked talk shows where only one person is talking.
I enjoy Stephanie Miller’s show. But I don’t think it would be right for MSNBC.
Don’t tell me you don’t like sarcasm!
Rachel is awesome. I have been listening to her on Air America since launch when she co-hosted Unfiltered.
I highly recommend everyone give her a shot. It promises to be the smartest show on tv.
Keith Olbermann non-partisan? Wow! That’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever read here (except, of course, for stuff posted by Jiminy B).
Truthfully, I enjoy reading RT even though most of you guys are wrong most of the time.