Oh, Do Come Along, Rachel!

[stopbush]

Surfing through the channels and alighted on MSNBC where Rachel got herself stuck in yet another 5-minute loop tape setting up her opening story. Today, it was a verbal masturbation on why the Rs should be excited about their chances in Wisconsin this year.

Talk about people needing an intervention! Can somebody PLEASE talk to her about these ridiculously long-winded set ups? Look, we all get that you're a Rhodes Scholar and we're not. We get that you're obsessed and impressed with showing just how many ways you can say the same thing slightly differently...but we're at the punch line WAY before you get through your second-of-ten (or fifteen or twenty) versions of "why did the chicken."

Yes, we knew at the 30-second mark that the story would be - wait for it - why they are NOT excited about their chances in Wisconsin. We get it!

I just can't watch it anymore.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. She must have listened to the Paul Harvey news back in the day.

[JoePhilly]

2. I enjoyed the segment.

[Hortensis]

35. Me too. Also the histories that provide a context

and turn up old memories.

A couple days ago that she had far too much to cover to repeat herself even once, much less her usual three-times-to-make-it-stick mode. Strange enough to notice.

[hlthe2b]

3. while I'd been a long term fan since Air America Radio days, I''ve come to find that

she is best in smaller doses... While I suppose some could assume she is being condescending to the audience with those long "wind-ups", I just tend to think-- SUPERCILIOUS.

I do still like her, but I watch very infrequently now.

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Perhaps I have a longer attention span than some...

...but I enjoy her show, especially the first 20 minutes of it, immensely.

[JoePhilly]

7. Had the same thought.

I like some deeper analysis from time to time.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

8. Thanks for posting. Agreed.

RM has probably the best record in TV reporting for researching and most often is correct in her observations. I find her long setups refreshing, even when I know where the story is going. It is such contrast to "news reporters" who simply spew whatever is in the most recent press release in front of them.

I hate to admit I'm old, but attention span is truly lacking in today's instant gratification world. That can be easily proven by watching 50-year-old TV reruns.

[Maeve]

33. Another voice for the long story

I am tired of Sort Attention Span News and Rachel going long is about the only news show I'll watch anymore.

[annabanana]

11. I think she is one of the best context suppliers

on TV now. I like knowing how something got to the state we find it in!

[Control-Z]

14. Yeah, so do I.

Often I learn something new. But most of the time I just enjoy the way she uses old and new to explain the dynamics of a current event that some may otherwise miss.

[Skittles]

15. it annoys the Twitter generation

[worstexever]

36. Well, yes

If you can't say it in 140 characters or less, does it really need to be said?

[stopwastingmymoney]

25. I like the way she sets up a story too

She builds up to her point, I learn stuff

[uponit7771]

31. +1

[renate]

5. I love her, but I agree

I wonder whether that's all written out on the teleprompter, because if it is, a copy editor is called for. If she's ad libbing when she repeats herself... she should stop.

This isn't the first time I've seen this habit of hers mentioned (and it's not the first time I've chimed in). I still think she's brilliant, funny, and appealing, but oy.

[SticksnStones]

6. She teaches her reports

Repeating the phrases are how we commit it to memory. So we can write about it here.

I thought she was great.

I've tried to steer clear of MSNBC
But I can't quit you, Rachel. I can't quit you ~

[stopbush]

18. I'm sure that's what she thinks she's doing.

There's such a fine line between teaching people and insulting their intelligence.

[SticksnStones]

19. Well, to each his own I suppose...

[Lisa0825]

9. I'm conflicted... I actually like the way she tells a story, even when it is one

I have heard before. she starts at it's origin, which I may not have known, weaves it through details that are new to me, and finds ways to surprise me even as informed as I think I am. But recently, some of her POVs have annoyed or pissed me off, so I am less enamored than I have been in the past.

[4lbs]

10. I like those long wind-up segments. Chock full of information.

But then, I'm also the type of person that always prefers "Extended Director's Cut" versions of movies to the theatrical ones.

[worstexever]

12. I quit watching her show a long time ago

It takes her 40 minutes to get to the point sometimes and it would be okay if she was doing an in-depth analysis, but as you said it's more "50 different ways to say the same thing". And then the last 20 minutes is "Today in LGBTQ rights." She's smart and I usually agree with her but can she beat a dead horse!

I loved her takedown of Governor McDonnell. She must have been pissed when the Supreme Court vacated his graft conviction. I don't know because I no longer watch her.

[Duckhunter935]

13. I know, so annoying

[eleny]

16. I'm watching Don Lemon's show lately

I don't know much about him. But I just appreciate his quiet approach. When guests act over the top he stays calm and manages to bring the discussion back to measured discourse.

I think with Trump's madness dominating the news I've drifted over to Lemon's broadcast for quieter discussions.

[UTUSN]

17. Bwah-hah, I share the sentiment but with a fonder edge because she's a gem

I have posted similarly, about the excruciating detail upon detail, my metaphor being the primitive computer punch cards.

Somebody answered kindly that, yes, she is a nerd's-nerd. I complained similarly about Keith, and in their early years didn't watch them while everybody here was cheering them. Now I watch her once every month or two, when I've wound down and able to take a full dose.

[sarcasmo]

20. Tough to watch. No talking heads 4 me.

[Pisces]

21. You weren't watching the same show I was. She was great, haters gonna hate.

[Adrahil]

22. I liked it.

Her set-ups are one thing I really enjoy about her show.

[jcgoldie]

23. Jeez ease up

Let's see you fill an hour every night. Rachel Maddow is one of the good guys.

[sgmcenroe]

24. The best 20 minute analysis on tv

I have always thought Rachel Maddow's opening segment is the best news analysis on tv today. It is not just an opinion but news, based on facts and history. I enjoy them immensely.

[emulatorloo]

26. I liked the segment. A lot.

[madamesilverspurs]

27. Color me weird,

but I enjoy her setups. In a way, they remind me of that old TV series "Connections" with James Burke. Seriously hope she doesn't change that.

What could be changed -- across MSNBC -- is their new devotion to the pregnant pause format. It might be a cute gimmick on some reality shows (like HGTV's Love it or List It), but such gimmickry should have NO place in any news format.

[tblue37]

28. Exactly. I tried watching her show twice, just in case it was a fluke the first time, but the second

time it wax evident that this is what sdhe does.

So I don't watch her show.

[lunamagica]

29. I thought she was great, and I like her style

[miyazaki]

30. Like the message, but the delivery and something about her pitch

leaves me nauseated. Kind of like Margaret Cho who will take ten minutes
to tell a joke about shitting her pants.

[B Calm]

32. I like her. Only Keith Olberman could wear her shoes.

[yallerdawg]

34. My favorite part?

When she asks her "guest" after her 20-minute soliloquy if she got it right?

I did see one tell her, "Yes you did, and I don't understand what I could possibly add." I thought he was just slightly ticked off!