Is it just me, or has Rachel Maddow's personality changed with her sudden popularity?

[BigBearJohn]

Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to have Rachel on our side,
but lately, her sarcasm is grating on my nerves.

(Sorry if I offended any of her fans here -- believe it or not,
I am a fan, but lately she has been irritating me. Can't explain it.)

[BlooInBloo]

1. When she's not concern-trolling, I love her. When she is, meh.

[silverojo]

35. Her concern-trolling AND her personality get on my nerves

She constantly smirks out of the side of her mouth while talking...there's something about 8 years of Bush that has made me sick of smirking.

I wish someone would tell her to wear a decent blouse, so that she wouldn't look as if she just got out of bed, threw on a blazer, and went to the studio.

[OrwellwasRight]

2. It's just you???

Maybe. :shrug:

[BigBearJohn]

9. I accept that. That's why I asked.

[silverojo]

36. No, it isn't. - n/t

[SeattleGirl]

3. I don't think so. I listen to her radio show every day, and she's

is the same there.

Personally, I like the sarcasm.

[silverojo]

38. I'd like the sarcasm, too, if she could pull it off

She needs to take lessons from KO, on how to be sarcastic and likeable at the same time.

[Hamlette]

4. I agree, I had hoped she'd be more substance and less snark n/t

[geekgrrl]

5. I think she sounds intelligent and thought-provoking-- with just the right amount of snark!

I LOVE HER!

[rurallib]

6. could be that seeing her expressions makes it seem moreso

I don't think she has changed.

[ellius101]

7. Don't mind the sarcasm

The Repugs have earned it, her sarcasm that is. Its her nervous nellieness thats getting on my nerves.

[ClusterFreak]

8. I agree 100 per cent.

I've posted on this subject myself recently more than once...and I totally agree. She should really put a stop to the uptalking sarcasm that seems to form the core of her on air delivery. It is extremely unappealing. I don't care who you are, what your point of view is, if you're talking to me with that wildly annoying, sniggering tone, you are coming off as an imperious person and I will turn you off.

+++++++++++++++++

on edit: I am unaware if her personality has 'changed' since she got her own show...as I was not really that familiar with her at all until she started filling in for Keith during the summer.

[Top Cat]

10. I agree..... I'm hate watching her show now

[Mojorabbit]

11. I like her more than Keith

She for some reason does not raise my blood pressure. She gives the same news but her grin is infectious.

[TheDonkey]

12. I like her liberal side but is is PAINFULLY obvious she doesn't actually like Obama

she is not over the primary. She would not mind if he lost and she'd go on and on how she had been telling all her fellow liberals this would happen etc etc. I find it very uncomfortable when she's attacking Obama, not head on, but with snark and sarcasm.

But on issues of course we agree, but she just doesn't like Obama.

[Fran Kubelik]

26. are you kidding me?

Seriously???

[Hippo_Tron]

47. Rachel Maddow definitely wasn't a Clinton bakcer in the primary

She spent a lot of time during the late primaries talking about the Clintons would not back down and take it to the convention.

[TheDonkey]

52. That is because she wanted the Clintons to take it to the convention

she thought Clinton was robbed. She would diss Obama plenty in the primaries on MSNBC saying Hillary was still in it after Obama was winning.

[writes3000]

49. She was WAY more pro-Obama than pro-Hillary. She doesn't kiss ass much to anyone. nt

[ecstatic]

13. She changed after that nasty rethug, David Frum, attacked

the integrity of her show.

She's too concerned about what replugs think and I think she's trying to shift her show in a manner that will appease them.

Several people I know think of her as an Independent minded host so she is definitely straying from her roots.

ETA link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH4LovZeowo

[riverwalker]

14. snarky, but sweet

like a ginger snap cookie. Kinda spicy, but with sugar sprinkles on top. Yup, a Ginger Snap. ;)
Her commentary tonight on the poll tax was RIGHT ON THE MONEY.

[annabanana]

24. When she gave that "Poll Tax" rant about waiting on long lines I just

looked at the TV and said "Thank you, Rachel".

An hours-long line is as surely a disenfranchisement of the poorly compensated as a crowd of thugs standing at the door expropriating hundred dollar bills...

[book_worm]

15. She's fine, she just tries to present herself as more even handed than Keith

I mean there is no doubt she is a liberal, but she also listens to the other side more and has more representatives of the other side on her show than Keith.

[Okie4Obama]

16. I dig smartasses.

And I dig Rachel. I have a huge girl crush on her. I hold her up as a role model to my daughter: someone smart, successful, and who did it without using "sex appeal", aka the opposite of Sarah Palin.

[regnaD kciN]

17. No, she's been a concern troll for a long time...

...on her AAR radio show.

She's just an intense pessimist.

[OrwellwasRight]

20. What's a concern troll? nt.

[tularetom]

18. WTF is it with all the beat up on Rachel Maddow threads?

Of course you're grateful she's on our side. And so what if she allows a bit of sarcasm to show through from time to time. How the hell is it possible for any person with even a semblance of a brain to observe this clusterfuck we call a government and not become sarcasm. Rachel's IQ is probably twice what mine is and she can see this shit a lot clearer. So when I see her manifest a bit of an attitude, it confirms for me that I'm on the right track to question these assholes.

Maybe you'd like her to be less sarcastic, perhaps somewhat like oh, er, David Gregory? Yeah that's the ticket. He ain't sarcastic is he?

[BigBearJohn]

21. Thanks for your take on it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. No. She just gets on my last nerve with her constant whining. She is very smart and talented.

I've listened to Rachel since AA's inception. I just cannot take the overly-pessimistic attitude. While I understand that she is simply trying to get us to the polls and for us not to become complacent; that's different from constantly expressing "concern." We are well aware that McCoward could pull this thing off. But we need to FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS and work hard in these remaining hours. We don't need Rachel's demoralizing attitude.

[bermudat]

22. What is it with everyone attacking Rachel Maddow?

I've been watching Olbermann since 2003. His program was the only place of

solace for progressives. However-he must weigh a ton he is so full of himself.

I don't watch sports so I gag whenever sports trivia is talked about. Even my

husband can't stand the middle school antics between him and Bill the Shill.

I still watch and don't feel the urge to turn on him. Yeah, but let a woman deviate

a millimeter from what is expected and everyone comes down on her with both feet.

[depakid]

23. Seems to me a lot of folks want polyanna cheerleaders rather than honest and intelligent analysts

who call things like they see them.

[BigBearJohn]

28. I love her intelligence. It just seems she goes overboard in trying to be "cute"

She is one of the most brilliant women I have ever known.
Her delivery needs work. That's all.

[AlinPA]

30. That trying to be cute thing started when she got her show. Looks like the

acting coaches got involved with her. She was more composed previously, and was easier to watch.

[BigBearJohn]

31. I agree with you 100%

[Raine]

25. I LOVE Rachel but

I admit sometimes her "concern" is too much of a downer.

[Fran Kubelik]

27. Lizz Winstead used to be my favorite part of her radio show...

BUT I adore her now. She's really grown on me. So funny and smart and passionate. I'm a huge fan.

[elkston]

29. I want us to win this thing BIG so she can admit ON AIR that she was wrong

She asks solid questions and I respect her credentials. But I'm tired of her bullshit. No electable candidate can meet her rigorous progressive litmus test, so she takes it out on regular Democrats like Obama.

We're winning on Tuesday so big middle finger to your McCain "strategies", Rachel.

[GeorgeGist]

32. She learned in her interview with Barack ...

that he's aware that she's very smart, and that he's a bit wiser.

[az chela]

33. I said the same thing to my frined the other day.She is different

lately,like sarcastic and negative.Dont quite know what to think of her

[Gold Metal Flake]

34. I have been listening to her since her first show on Air America.

No. She has not changed.

[WallStreetNobody]

37. She's just getting nervous, so are a lot of people.

Even though everything is going our way, the fact is McCain does have a few paths to victory on they all hinge on winning states that Obama does not have a big lead in. Throw in another two days of constant negative ads, voter suppression and other Republican theft tactics, potentially poor youth voter turnout, potential Bradly effect, etc. And I think most people have some degree of nervousness.

[timontheleft]

39. She's no different

I've been listening to her radio show (via podcast) for about a year and a half. Her TV show is almost identical to her radio show.

[TheReckoner]

40. Not much of a fan anymore...

I used to really enjoy Rachel's radio show and her guest appearances on MSNBC. I even liked the first week or two of her tv show, but I think it has really gone downhill. Like everyone has mentioned: it's the snarkiness and pessimism - and her obvious contempt for Barack. I still watch her, because seriously, what's the alternative - Anderson Pooper? But I look forward much more to KO and Tweety's shows.

[Muttocracy]

41. haven't watched/listened long enough to judge but the TV format

itself (chopped up, ads, lots of telling people what's coming up) might be part of what's annoying?

I say that as someone without a TV, who only in the last few months started watching MSNBC online (clips and live feed). Compared to NPR, Pacifica, and even Air America, the ads and limited minutes of content per hour drive me nuts. clips aren't as bad as the live feed.

[Hosnon]

42. Something does seemed to have changed. Or it's possible that more of her

personality comes out because she is center-stage for a whole hour (as opposed to on panels, etc.).

I still think she's great but my opinion of her has dipped slightly. As someone else suggested, I think she should stop trying to be cute.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

43. It's just you, she's the same Rachel

[krkaufman]

44. I've been listening to Rachel since her first days on Air America ...

... and her approach hasn't changed much, though the specific programming bits have varied.

I'm not thrilled with everything she says, but she's still about the best damn analyst on TV, bar none. My only real complaint is that she foolishly got ahead of herself in her interview with Obama, criticizing Obama for not being more aggressive in going after the "Republican" and "Conservative" brands, in general. I thought this a somewhat sophomoric line of questioning, and was surprised to hear Rachel bring it up.

(p.s. Though like on Keith's show, I could do without the pop culture close-out.)

[nadine_mn]

45. So man threads have criticized Rachel for her "concern troll-iness"

However I am grateful for it because I don't feel alone...

After 2000 and 2004, I am painfully aware that the smartest, most qualified candidate will not win - even if they win the popular vote.

I have a hard time believing that the established war-mongering money hungry power mad thugs in power will "allow" a young, dynamic, charismatic, intelligent force of nature that is Barack Obama become president.
:tinfoilhat:

I don't think I am a concern troll - I just can't bear to get my hopes up.

[Berry Cool]

46. Here we go with the "has success spoiled Rachel Maddow" concerns.

The stages of a celebrity life cycle:

1. Who?
2. She's a best-kept secret with a cult following.
3. She's great!
4. EVERYONE knows who she is now and loves her! Lots of fawning media stories about her! She can do no wrong!
5. Ah, for my money she's overrated.
6. I don't like her anymore. Everybody else likes her too much. Besides, she's a sellout.
7. Who?

[writes3000]

48. THE DIFFERENCE IS.....She's no longer putting Republican pundits in their place.

I suspect that's what you're missing.

Her super debate skills are not on display. Her Keith Olbermann like snark is.

[HughMoran]

50. I think she's really really nervous about this election

I think the pressure is getting to her a bit and she is compensating for it by trying overcompensating on the "safe" side of things. She will be elated and back to her normal self after the election, I'm sure.

[Hekate]

51. Having a whole tv hour to herself has got to be majorly stressful, plus she worries about Obama...

I mean, she *really* worries about Obama!

I think Rachel will settle down as time goes on. Both the hubby and I think she's adorable most of the time and super-bright all of the time. In addition, we like it that she has people on the show with whom she disagrees, whereas Keith only has those he already agrees with.

It's okay, BigBear. You don't have to always love her.

Hekate

[madamesilverspurs]

53. Can't remember ANY news personality

that's always been spot-on perfect. Maddow's appeal, for me anyway, is her crystal clear intelligence. She is utterly unconcerned about the vanities that seem to comprise the resumes of her counterparts on the airwaves. Far as I'm concerned, she brings a rare brilliance to the discussion, she isn't just another meat-puppet. And even when I'm inclined to disagree with her I do so with the knowledge that her PhD just might give her a wee bit more insight than my admittedly provincial BA. Too many of the talking heads just make me mad. Rachel makes me think.

Just sayin' .

[democracy1st]

54. yes she's not the same, tried watching her tonight and like Mike Singletary

said couldn't do it!!

[renate]

55. I adore her and I think she's just nervous about the election

I personally am, like Rachel, unsatisfied with the 6% likelihood of a McCain win, according to fivethirtyeight.com. Until it's 0.01%, I will be a little bit anxious too. I'm sure that after the election she'll relax too.

I don't think anybody could long more for an Obama win than Rachel, and there's nobody smarter. I don't see the sarcasm, just the quizzical tone and expression, but I'm not disagreeing with you because obviously you do see it. Let's see how it goes on Wednesday; she'll be happier and more relaxed.

[AZBlue]

56. Yes and no - and I'm not making up my mind until after the election.

I'm stressed about it, I'm sure she is, there's a LOT of bullshit we've had to shovel through from the GOP - sometimes I like her sarcasm, sometimes I think it's too much. So I'm going to withhold my judgment until after the election tension is gone and see what I think/how she is then. But I do see where you're coming from!

[TragedyandHope]

57. I seems like her MSNBC show shares writers with KO

or else they're just trying to emulate some of the style of his show. It doesn't feel like "her" show as much as her radio show does.


And she really needs to dump Kent Jones. His segment is just pointless.