Rachel Maddow's nightly show to end next year?

[tinrobot]

Last weekend, news leaked that the iconic liberal TV host decided to sign a new contract with MSNBC after The Daily Beast first reported that she was considering leaving the nightly show she’s helmed for 13 years to start her own venture.

That deal, will give Maddow, the highest-rated host on MSNBC, a jaw-dropping $30 million per year to keep her with the company through the 2024 election, according to four people familiar with the matter.

As part of the deal, Maddow’s long-running 9 p.m. nightly broadcast will end next year. Instead, after stepping back from The Rachel Maddow Show, she will host a weekly program set to air roughly 30 weeks out of the year.

--(snip)--

It was a “dealbreaker” for Maddow to have a schedule allowing more time for family, according to three people involved with the deal. And so, under the terms of the agreement, the nightly show will cease to air in its current form around spring of 2022, according to people briefed on the situation.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-the-massive-msnbc-deal-paying-rachel-maddow-to-work-less?ref=home


Who the hell will they replace her with? I can't think of anyone.

[Sherman A1]

1. I am sure that MSNBC will find some means of filling the airtime

between ads for drugs we never knew we needed.

[Jeebo]

2. Bring back Keith Olbermann.

I liked his show even more than I like Maddow's.

-- Ron

[Greybnk48]

3. I loved the original Countdown! Bring that back! n/t

[WarGamer]

13. Most people don't know or don't remember...

Olbermann is one of the best (funniest) Sports Reporters ever on TV.

I remember him from KTLA Channel 5 in LA in the 80's

[PatSeg]

4. I think it was time

I used to watch her show every night without fail, but now I only catch portions of it once or twice a week. I grew tired of the format and the redundant storytelling. That works for me on occasion with certain stories, but not every night. That is why Keith Olbermann decided to only do his wildly popular "Special Comments" occasionally. He knew they would become tiresome and less effective.

I think Rachel is brilliant and talented, but I also think it is time for her to try new things. Lately, I've been enjoying Brian Williams a lot and hope they will move him into an earlier timeslot.

[shanti]

20. ITA

I'm hoping Brian Williams fills her spot too. I like his calm presence. Lawrence O'Donnell is most likely readying himself for retirement, so it wouldn't be him.

[PatSeg]

21. I agree about O'Donnell

I don't think he is very ambitious at this point in his life and probably is as you say, readying himself for retirement. Williams is a very polished professional, something that is lacking in a lot of cable news hosts, some who seem to go more for performance. Their personalities often becomes a distraction from the news and commentary.

Williams doesn't perform, as much as deliver. He has a delicious wit that he throws in there so subtly and deadpan, that it is easy to miss it. He seems to have a genuine rapport with his guests. He doesn't talk over them or cut them off, an indication of his experience and professionalism. Though he might chuckle a bit now and then, there is no giggling or animated hand gestures.

I've sat through so many news anchors for many years and he is the easiest to watch and listen to, plus I get informed as to the day's news with an acceptable amount of humor thrown in. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

[FoxNewsSucks]

5. Al Franken

If we can't get him back in the Senate, let's get him educating people 5 days a week.

[renate]

18. Omg I can't imagine anything better!!! nt

[ZonkerHarris]

6. looks like Nicole Wallace is getting another hour....

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. Chris Hayes is closest to Rachel in intellect, depth and substance,

But I don’t see him pulling ratings anywhere near Rachel.

They will probably go with someone like Nicole or Ari Melber is my guess, although Al Franken would be a genius move to fill any prime time hour.

$30 million for 30 one hour shows per year? That’s a “Friends” final season-level salary…

[TheRealNorth]

12. But MSNBC doesn't have the reach that Friends had on NBC

Friends was pulling in 20+ million viewers in the final season.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. No Ari Melber, please.

He would be better suited to team with Natalie Morales.

[renate]

19. I cannot stand Ari Melber

I’m sure he’s a fine human being but the CONSTANT music stuff is SO BORING AND RELENTLESS.

[Deminpenn]

8. My bet would be Ali Velshi

taking one of the evening slots.

[rurallib]

10. I don't think Velshi gets nearly the credit he deserves

[Deminpenn]

11. Agree

Velshi has bounced around a lot, done whatever MSNBC has asked of him, including taking the early, early AM show on Sat and Sunday and being the top guest host for everyone. Getting a regular time slot would be a nice reward.

[rurallib]

22. Plus he is very thorough and definitely liberal

His Canadian's perspective is often a nice change from most any USA commentor

[Chellee]

25. I love Ali Velshi.

He would be excellent to fill that time slot.

[KT2000]

9. No one does the research and

provides context like Rachel. I see why she wanted to reduce her air time. He entire staff must be exhausted.

[luvs2sing]

15. I will miss her, but I am glad for her.

I can’t count how many times over the last few years she has looked so utterly exhausted that even stage makeup couldn’t hide the dark circles. I wanted to step through the TV screen with a blanket and a bowl of chicken soup and bundle her off somewhere to rest.

I’ll look forward to her weekly show.

[Irish_Dem]

16. Move Brian Williams to her time slot.

His show is excellent but it is late at night and I am not sure how many people see it.

[tinrobot]

24. I think he'd be a good replacement.

The late night slot was because he screwed up when he anchored the evening news. He was almost fired. I think he's paid his debt for that.

[Irish_Dem]

26. I think he has paid for his mistake too. His shows are excellent, great sense of humor,

very smart and down to earth. Topics are well chosen and he brings in great guests.

[bigtree]

17. those news analysis shows make me sleepy

...rehashing old news.

Some value for the folks who don't pay close attention, I suppose. Probably not for me.

[FakeNoose]

23. I think it's a better format for her than the nightly show

This new weekly show could be a very good thing! A longer, once-per-week show will allow Rachel to spend more time on certain topics and focus on important guests.

I actually posted this suggestion a couple weeks ago when it looked like she wanted to leave MSNBC. She'll be great. Ali Velshi should get her spot.

[lamp_shade]

27. Replace Chuck Todd on Meet the Press... maybe?

That would get my vote.