TV Squad reviews The Rachel Maddow Show

[NYCGirl]

http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/09/09/the-rachel-maddow-show-series-premiere/

The most famous Rachel on TV today isn't the same one that made Jennifer Aniston a star. And it's Rachael with the extra "E" that's the syndicated star of a talk show that won the Emmy in 2008. But the newest Rachel on the air is MSNBC's plucky new host of her own show, Rachel Maddow. Like Aniston, Rachel Maddow's hairdoo is fashionable, and like Ray, Maddow's very personable. However, The Rachel Maddow Show is worlds apart from Friends or 30 Minute Meals/The Rachael Ray Show. Maddow is all about politics, current events and things that, by and large, are important

-snipped-

Like most news/information shows, TRMS is set up in a magazine format with features. "Talk Me Down" follows the opening top of the news segment, and it's Rachel's commentary/blog/editorial about a specific topic of note to her. It's her show, so she gets to choose. She does her spiel, then invites a guest to "talk her down." The blurring of the line between church and state was her debut issue, and I especially liked this line in her set-up. "Unlike chocolate and peanut butter, church and state are too great things that actually, really don't go great together."

Another feature is called "Mind Over Chatter" where Maddow goes inside an issue, dissecting it with an expert. In both these features, I was happy to see the talking heads invited on Maddow's show were not the same old faces that have been overexposed on the cable news shows. Fresh faces are a good way to go for Maddow.

Introducing MSNBC in-house Republican strategist and one-time presidential candidate Pat Buchanan as "my fake uncle," Maddow engaged in a frisky "Point/Counterpoint" (remember from Saturday Night Live, "Jane, you ignorant slut") encounter. I don't know if this will be a regular bit with Buchanan, but the idea of Rachel one on one in a debate works. She's tough enough to go toe-to-toe without winding up in a shouting match.

The one feature that laid an egg was "Just Enough," a pop culture bit with Kent Jones. Eh ... needs work. Not nearly as funny as it probably looked to be on paper.

So, what's my verdict (which is the name of the show she's replacing)? Thumbs up (don't sue me, Roger Ebert!). Rachel Maddow is very smart -- a Rhodes scholar -- and you can hear that in her interviewing style. She packs a question with information, rarely sputtering or laughing at herself like Chris Matthews, for instance. She's got a high likability factor, probably a high Q rating, because I enjoy watching her and I don't think I'm alone in feeling that way.

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[SoCalDem]

1. wouldn't that be the extra "a"..not "e"

:rofl:

[Doremus]

2. Her new show is terrific --- and so is she! She positively pwned Bucky boy, lol

[tularetom]

3. She stuck the knife in Buchanan without ever losing the smile on her face

And she did a great job with the megachurch preacher (although he came off much more positive than I was prepared for).

She has great interviewing/debating skills and does it all without resentment or anger.

A lot like Sen. Obama, huh?

[alfredo]

4. Excellent show.

[Frustratedlady]

5. If looks could kill....it was nice to see that parting shot on Pat's face.

The MSNBC folks have been grinding and chopping Pat up into little pieces, lately. I wonder how many times he will return to Rachel's show. None, I hope.

[Javaman]

6. I'm glad to hear that Kent Jones is back too! nt

[NYCGirl]

7. He is, and I was glad to see him, but the segment really doesn't work.

Hopefully, they will fine-tune it.