Is it just me, or is Rachel Maddow getting pretty damn good at hosting Countdown?

[jgraz]

Keith better check his rearview mirror.

[JimmyJubes]

1. She's Always great

And so is Keith (when he is serious he is the best- when he tries to be funny, too geeky)
But they are both great.

[roguevalley]

39. she's so sweet and pretty, I could hug her. that she's such a smart

person and such a geek about stuff makes her even more beautiful. Keith loves her. He just twinkles when he speaks to her as if he invented her. They are adorable. I hope she gets a show soon.

[Cleita]

2. A little bird is telling me that they are targeting her for co-host with

KO's blessings. He is gonna be doing a sports show once a week, which she announced tonight, so it makes me think that she's going to probably pick up some time on that hour while he's doing other things.

[Skittles]

4. I wish he'd do sports full time and keep Rachel n/t

[jgraz]

5. That would be cool, except...

it totally blows my whole revenge fantasy where Joe "Dead Intern" Scarborough gets shitcanned and Rachel takes over his timeslot.

[RNdaSilva]

13. I second that motion...

[truedelphi]

33. Oh I am gonna share in that fantasy.

I see Rachel in black leather and Sc. hanging from the ceiling while she
does gently roast him with a flamethrower. First the hair onhis legs, then on his pits and then she can do some waterboarding to put the fires out.

[ellacott]

36. Problem is Joe might enjoy that

:)

My fantasy is to have Joe lose it on TV while trying to debate Rachel. MSNBC would fire him and Rachel would take his job. Chuck Todd could be her morning sidekick.

[alfredo]

8. Alison Stewart seems to be doing a lot in the morning. I liked her

when she filled in for Keith. I liked her delivery.

[madokie]

21. I like Alison too

[alfredo]

22. She's cute too.

[madokie]

31. I was going to say that but I was afraid I'd get in trouble :-)

[alfredo]

38. Just stating the obvious.

[bunkerbuster1]

41. Alison was a fine Countdown fill-in.

She and Rachel are both terrific radio voices as well. I've heard a bit of Alison's NPR show; I almost never miss Rachel's on podcast.

[alfredo]

42. I watch and listen to her podcasts on iTunes.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

46. I think she was a little to cutsie for me. She seemed to get into trouble when Keith was out with

his appendix. OJ Simpson was in the news and Alison opened Countdown with that story as opposed to something important. She in fact did that, 2 days in a row. Keith came back early, and made a comment that the OJ story was the reason why he did. He appeared none to pleased. Alison filled in for him once after that and never again.

[drbtg1]

20. A little clarification is in order.

Nothing is changing in Mr. Olbermann's work schedule due to sports. The sports show you refer to is the same show he did last year, Football Night in America, the Sunday night highlight show on NBC when the NFL in is season. The reason it was newsworthy last night was Mr. Olbermann was going to be teamed up with his ESPN Sportscenter partner, Dan Patrick, to do the highlights on FNIA. Last year, FNIA had minimal effect on Countdown hosting duties for Mr. Olbermann (IIRC, he took an occasional Friday off and also time for emergency surgery).

If anything, the factor of far bigger influence on Mr. Olbermann will be the political schedule ahead (conventions, debates, etc.), likely making Dr. Maddow a more constant host presence on Countdown.

[roguevalley]

40. he calls dan his brother. I think even I'm going to be watching them, the

two most literate and witty men in sports broadcasting.

[libnnc]

3. Absolutely fab as always

:loveya: loves me some Rachel...except not in that jacket x(

Pinstripes, Rachel. You ROCK them.

[patrice]

6. I love Rachel; listen to her on AAR. I might even start watching cable news again. nt

[sharesunited]

7. A face I luv to look at and a voice I luv to listen to.

Hoping Rachel can hang on to her credibility while the network fame shines upon her.

[Ilsa]

27. Yep, she has a great look and voice. Easy to watch and

listen to, and so intelligent!

[On the Road]

9. At First, I Used to Wonder Whether to Keep it On

Now I like her almost as much as Keith, except that she's not as funny.

Although she did crack me up tonight with her anecdote of Fox's invitation for her to comment on the Madonna-Britney-Spears kiss, "because...they thought I might have some...experience with that?"

[jgraz]

10. And how cool is it to have someone "out and proud" anchoring a national news show?

Everyone talks about how great Rachel is, but we seem to gloss over the "Jackie Robinson" moment we're witnessing here.

[TNOE]

23. Is she out?

I love her - but I love Keith more. She just needs to get that "BUSHED....." thing down better. She really malls that one.

[jgraz]

25. Out, proud, unapologetic and fuck anyone who has a problem with it

She's really a gem.

[TNOE]

28. I wasn't sure

if there were just rumors or what - but I'm so glad for her & very proud of her. She is a beautiful woman and person. That makes her Fox news segment all the more funnier. I thought she was denying she was gay.

[jgraz]

32. Ah, no. She's pretty clear on her bio and her radio show.

She's also pretty contemptuous of GLBT groups who try to run away from the "homosexual" label.

[bunkerbuster1]

43. I guess it's a mini-Jackie Robinson moment

Now that you mention it, Rachel's probably the highest-profile out-and-proud national newscaster I know of.

[FloridaJudy]

34. I had to LOL at that

It would be like asking me to comment on O'Lielly's phone sex fantasies. Near as I can figure, the only thing Billo and I have in common is that we're both heterosexual carbon-based life-forms.

Though, come to think of it, I would relish the chance to critique O'Leilly's technique. Tacky, Billo. Really, really tacky. You can't buy class, fella.

[Wickerman]

11. Wouldn't she be great in the morning?

She could lead a political discussion accompanyment with your morning cup of coffee?

:evilgrin:

[jgraz]

12. Oh man, would she.

OH... you mean on the teevee.

Nevermind.

[Wickerman]

16. I tried to keep this out of the sleaze

I shoulda known! :rofl:

I was thinking as a replacement, of course, for Morning Joe.

[bunkerbuster1]

44. yeah, like I always say...

if she were wired differently, and I were younger and richer... I still wouldn't have a shot.

[RNdaSilva]

14. A Tim Russert replacement?

Keith and Rachel are both keepers.

[jgraz]

15. They already hired one

[Krashkopf]

17. Rachel is GREAT

After Thom Hartmann, RM is my favorite progressive talker.

Funny, and whip smart! What's not to like!?

[bdamomma]

18. She was great, she even had some of Keith's staff laughing

last nite.

[scheming daemons]

19. She makes me wish I were a lesbian.......

[NancyG]

29. I believe she's in a committed relationship. nt

[Ysabel]

37. i think both my 70+ yr. old aunt and uncle would leave eachother for rachel...

- kidding just a little bit but they both love her lots and lots... :D

p.s. me too... :)

[Z_I_Peevey]

24. She seems to be a natural talent.

Just a fantastic presence. Very smart, quick on her feet, likeable. I'll bet her numbers are terrific.

[blm]

26. Keith doesn't have to worry, but, I do expect Rachel's solid performances will lead to her own show

eventually, which will significantly change the media landscape for the left, imo.

We gained a few downs since 2004, and that makes all the difference in the world. We don't even need an even playing field to win, we just need to not be starting off from the 5 yd line every day like we have since 9-11.

[Bluenorthwest]

30. Rachel is doing a great job

I've been a fan for sometime and I am very proud of her. She's adapted to TV very well...just love her.

[no limit]

35. MSNBC needs to give her her own show

[electropop]

45. Why do I get a Faux News show when I tune her in on Air America?

I can't stand to hear it. What little listening I did on that channel is over.

[jgraz]

47. It's an MSNBC simulcast for the 1st hour. Rachel usually guests or hosts.

And yes, I hate it too.