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			{{Infobox journalist
			\|name=Rachel Maddow
			\|image=]
			\| caption = Maddow hosting ] "Changing the Media, Changing America" event in ] (June 2006)
			\| birthname = Rachel Anne Maddow
			\| birth_date = {{birth date and age\|1973\|04\|01}}
			\| birth_place = ], ]
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			\| occupation = ]<br />]<br />]
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			\| spouse =
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			\| religion =
			\| salary =
			\|networth=
			\|credits='']'' (])<br>'']'' (])
			\|agent=
			\|URL=http://www.rachelmaddow.com/
			}}

			'''Rachel Anne Maddow''' ({{IPA-en\|ˈmædoʊ\|pron}}; born April 1, 1973) is an ] ], television host, and ].<ref>Margot Adler, '''', npr.org, ''All Things Considered,'' October 23, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/11/DDRF195JTU.DTL \| title=Rachel Maddow is my sweetie \| last=Caroll \| first=Jon \| accessdate=2010-01-15 \| date=August 11, 2009 \| publisher=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> Her syndicated talk radio program, '']'', aired on ]. Maddow hosts a nightly television show, '']'', on ].<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://baywindows.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=008EC9FBCFF24AD18614290016BE1303&nm=Current+Issue&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=0813BC739F2044E5A03DCF2DE3FDF7C9&tier=4&id=127263CEC4614F02984E3D5D693FD27B\|work=]\|last=Weisbert\|first=Julie\|title=Talking things up\|date=2007-08-23\| accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> She was also a guest host of '']'' and '']''. Maddow is the first ] anchor to be hired to host a prime-time news program in the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.lesbiatopia.com/2008/09/congrats-to-rachel-maddow-knock-em-dead.html \|title=''Maddow the first out News Anchor of a prime-time news program''\|publisher=Lesbiatopia.com\|accessdate=2009-11-14}}</ref><ref name="variety">{{cite web\|work=Variety\|title=Maddow's unique style spikes ratings\|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000926.html?categoryid=14&cs=1\|first=Ted\|last=Johnson\|date=March 6, 2009}}</ref><ref name="lgbtqnews">{{cite web\|work= lgbtQnews\|title=Olbermann welcomes Rachel Maddow to MSNBC\|url=http://lgbtqnews.com/gaynews/olbermann-welcomes-rachel-maddow-to-msnbc.aspx\|date=August 19, 2008}}</ref><ref name="frisky">{{cite web\|work=The Frisky\|title=The Greatest & Gayest Headlines Of 2008\|url=http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-the-great-gay-headlines-of-2008/\|first=Simcha\|last=Whitehill\|date=December 18, 2008}}</ref>

			==Early life and education==
			Maddow, who was born in ], is the daughter of Robert B. "Bob" Maddow, a former ] ] and an attorney for the ], and Elaine Maddow (née Gosse), a school program administrator from ], ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/209944/november-06-2008/rachel-maddow \|work=] \|title=November 6, 2008: Rachel Maddow \|publisher=Comedy Central \|date=November 6, 2008}}</ref><ref name="gdiv3">{{cite news \|last=France \|first=Louise \|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/08/rachel-maddow-american-television \|title=Interview: 'I'm not a TV anchor babe. I'm a big lesbian who looks like a man' \|work=] \|date=February 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="ref09">{{cite news\|last=LaBerge\|first=Germaine\|coauthors=\|title=INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT MADDOW\|pages=\|publisher=University of California Berkeley\|date=1997-02-03\|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/watersupplyrights00maddrich/watersupplyrights00maddrich_djvu.txt\|accessdate=2009-08-02}}</ref> She has one older brother, David. Maddow was raised a strict ] in a community that her mother has described as "very conservative."<ref name="newsweek1">{{cite news\|last=Baird\|first=Julia\|coauthors=\|title=When Left is Right\|pages=\|publisher=Newsweek\|date=2008-11-22\|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/170385/page/3\|accessdate=2009-08-02}}</ref><ref name="xan">{{cite book \|first=Xander \|last=Cricket \|title=Rachel Maddow: A Neowonk Guide to the Leftist, Lesbian Pundit \|date=2009 \|isbn=978-1442122673}}</ref> Maddow excelled in academics and athletics. Referencing ] films, she describes herself in high school as "a cross between the jock and the antisocial girl."<ref name="xan"/>

			A graduate of ] in Castro Valley, Maddow earned a degree in ] from ] in 1994.<ref name="stan9">{{cite news \|work=Stanford Magazine \|title=Making Airwaves: Broadcaster Rachel Maddow is succeeding at her goal of 'lefty rabblerousing' \|url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2008/mayjun/pc/maddow.html \|date=May/June 2008 \|first=Barrett \|last=Sheridan}}</ref> At graduation she was awarded the John Gardner Fellowship. She was also the recipient of a ] and began her postgraduate study in 1995 at ], ]. In 2001, she completed her ] degree (DPhil)<!-- please do not change to "PhD" as the degree is called a "DPhil" by the institution granting the degree --> in ] from Oxford University.<ref name="chief">{{cite news \|work=Kansas City Star \|title=MSNBC's Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow are young, geeky and hot \|first=Aaron \|last=Barnhart \|date=June 15, 2008 \|page=G1}}</ref> Her doctoral thesis is titled ''HIV/AIDS and Health Care Reform in British and American Prisons.'' She was the first ] American to win a Rhodes scholarship.<ref name="afterellen">{{cite web \|work=afterellen.com \|title=Rachel Maddow Becomes First Out Lesbian to Host Prime-Time News Show\|url=http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2008/8/rachelmaddow \|first=Sarah \|last=Warn \|date=August 20, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite web \|work=The Guardian \|title=Gay TV host is liberal queen of US news \|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/28/television.rachel.maddow \|first=Christopher \|last=Goodwin \|date=September 28, 2008}}</ref>

			==Radio career==
			Maddow's first radio hosting job was at ] (100.9 FM) in ]. The station held a contest for a new on-air personality and Maddow won.<ref>{{cite news \|work=The Advocate \|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13176024_ITM \|title=Left and centered: Air America radio's Rachel Maddow is out, brilliant, and ready to defend the other L word: liberal \|first=Etelka \|last=Lehoczky \|date=2004-08-31}}</ref> She was hired to co-host WRNX's then premier morning show, ''The Dave in the Morning Show''. She later went on to host ''Big Breakfast'' on ], in ], for two years. She left the show to join the newly-created ] in March 2004.<ref name="chief"/> There she hosted '']'' along with ] (of the ] group ]) and ] (co-creator of '']'') until its cancellation in March 2005.<ref>{{cite news \|work=Southern Voice Atlanta \|title=Two ‘L-words’; Morning host adds 'lesbian' to 'liberal' radio's success \|url=http://www.sovo.com/2005/1-28/arts/feature/lwords.cfm \|date=2005-01-28 \|first=Dyana \|last=Bagby}}</ref> Two weeks later, in April 2005, her own two-hour-long program, '']'', began airing; it was expanded to three hours in March 2008. It was broadcast live from New York from 6 to 9 p.m. ] on weekdays, with ] filling in the third hour for the call-in section when Maddow was on TV assignment. In September 2008 the show returned to a two-hour format as Maddow began her nightly MSNBC television program. In February 2009, after renewing her contract with Air America, Maddow returned to a one hour, 5 a.m. morning slot.<ref>{{cite web \|work=Air America.com \|url=http://www.airamerica.com/content/rachel-maddow-renews-air-america-media\|title=Rachel Maddow Renews With Air America Media\|date=February 2, 2009}}</ref> On January 21, 2010, Air America ceased live programming thus taking this show and several others off the air. On February 4th, Air America filed for bankruptcy.<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aa_waT5rYJe8</ref>

			==Television career==
			In June 2005 Maddow became a regular panelist on ]'s ''].''<ref name="parn">{{cite news \|first=Larry \|last=Parnass \|work=Daily Hampshire Gazette \|url=http://www.dailyhampshiregazette.com/storytmp_v6.cfm?id_no=61501202005 \|title=Maddow joins new program on MSNBC \|date=June 15, 2005}}</ref> During and after the ], she was a frequent guest on ]'s ''].'' In January 2008, Maddow was given the position of MSNBC political analyst and was a regular panelist on MSNBC's '']'' with ] and MSNBC's election coverage, as well as a frequent contributor on ''].''<ref name="chief"/>

			In April 2008, Maddow was the substitute host for ''Countdown with Keith Olbermann'', her first time hosting a program on MSNBC. Maddow described herself on air as "nervous." ] complimented her work and she was brought back to host "Countdown" in May 2008. The day she hosted was the highest rated news program in the key 25–54 year old demographic.<ref>{{cite news \|date=2008-05-16 \|work=TV Newser \|title=The Scoreboard: Friday, May 16 \|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/the_scoreboard_friday_may_16_85159.asp#more}}</ref> For her success, Olbermann awarded Maddow the 3rd ranking in his regular segment, "World's Best Persons" on the following Monday, calling her "World's Best Pinch-Hitter."<ref>{{cite news \|work=MSNBC \|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24716290#24716290 \|title=World's Best Persons May 20, 2008 \|first=Keith \|last=Olbermann \|date=2008-05-20}}</ref> Maddow filled in again on ''Countdown'' for eight-and-a-half broadcasts while Olbermann was on vacation in July 2008 (including the latter half of the July 21 show).<ref name="nytimes072008">{{cite news \|work=] \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/arts/television/17madd.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin \|title=Now in Living Rooms, the Host Apparent \|first=Jacques \|last=Steinberg \|date=2008-07-17 \|accessdate=2008-07-17}}</ref> Maddow has also filled in for David Gregory as host of ''Race for the White House''.<ref name="chief"/>

			===The Rachel Maddow Show===
			{{Main\|The Rachel Maddow Show}}

			MSNBC announced in August 2008 that '']'' would replace '']'' in the channel's 9PM ET time slot beginning September 2008.<ref>{{cite news\|date=2008-08-20\|url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26314670/\|agency=Associated Press\|title=Political commentator Maddow gets own show}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|date=2008-08-19 \|url=http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/rachel-maddow-to-replace-dan-abrams-on-msnbc/\|work=The New York Times \|title=Rachel Maddow to Replace Dan Abrams on MSNBC \|first=Bill \|last=Carter}}</ref> Since its debut the show has topped ''Countdown'' as the highest rated show on ] on several occasions.<ref>{{cite web \|work=Huffington Post\|title=Rachel Maddow Ratings: Beats Olbermann's "Countdown" To Be MSNBC's Top Show \|first=Danny \|last=Shae \|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/18/rachel-maddow-ratings-bea_n_127391.html \|date=2008-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|work=The New York Times \|title=A Fresh Female Face Amid Cable Schoolboys \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/arts/television/25watc.html \|first=Alessandra \|last=Stanley \|date=2008-09-25}}</ref> After being on air for a little over a month, Maddow's program doubled the audience for MSNBC's 9PM hour.<ref name="ntf">{{cite news \|title=Fresh Face on Cable, Sharp Rise in Ratings \|first=Brian \|last=Stelter \|work=The New York Times \|date=October 21, 2008 \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/arts/television/21madd.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin \|page=C1}}</ref>

			Early reviews for her show were mostly positive. '']'' writer, Matea Gold stated that Maddow, "finds the right formula on MSNBC",<ref> [http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/29/entertainment/et-maddow29 MSNBC's new liberal spark plug
			Rachel Maddow, political junkie and TV rookie, launches to surprising ratings] ''Los Angeles Times'' Retrieved 2010-03-11</ref> while '']'' writes Maddow has become the "star of America's cable news".<ref> ''The Guardian'' Retrieved 2010-03-11</ref> '']'' columnist, David Bauder called her " Olbermann's political soul mate" and refered to the Olbermann/Maddow shows as a "liberal two-hour block".<ref>{{cite news \|first=David \|last=Bauder \|agency=Associated Press \|title=O'Reilly, Olbermann: polar opposites of campaign \|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g7u4RWI5m_VoFGwSDFYs8p1bh-WwD942JRPOA \|date=October 26, 2008}}</ref>

			Maddow describes herself as more nuanced, saying in one interview that she is a "national security liberal" and in another that she is not "a partisan" and objects to being typecast.<ref name="steinberg" /><ref name="kurtz">{{cite news\|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/26/AR2008082603069.html?sid=ST2008082703302&s_pos= \|title=Rachel Maddow, MSNBC's Newest Left Hand \|last=Kurtz \|first=Howard \|work=Washington Post \|page=A20 \|date=August 27, 2008 \|accessdate=January 24, 2009}}</ref> '']'' called her a "defense policy wonk" who is currently writing a book on the role of the military in postwar American politics.<ref name="steinberg">{{cite news \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/arts/television/17madd.html?scp=6&sq=rachel%20maddow&st=cse \|title=Now in Living Rooms, the Host Apparent \|last=Steinberg \|first=Jacques \|work=New York Times \|date=July 17, 2008 \|accessdate=January 24, 2009}}</ref><ref name="steinberg" /><ref name="gold">{{cite news \|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/29/entertainment/et-maddow29 \|title=MSNBC’s new liberal spark plug \|last=Gold \|first=Matea \|work=] \|date=September 29, 2008 \|accessdate=January 24, 2009}}</ref> During the 2008 presidential election Maddow did not formally support any candidate. Concerning ]'s candidacy, Maddow said, "I have never and still don't think of myself as an Obama supporter, either professionally or actually."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080818/traister \|title=Rachel Maddow's Life and Career \|work=The Nation \|date=August 18, 2008 \|accessdate=March 10, 2009}}</ref>

			==Personal life==
			Maddow lives in ] and western ] with her partner, artist Susan Mikula.<ref name="Bantering">{{cite news \|work=Boston Globe \|title=Weekday bantering is balanced by quiet New England weekends \|url=http://www.eric-goldscheider.com/maddow.html \|date=2005-02-24 \|first=Eric \|last=Goldscheider \|accessdate=2009-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|work=AirAmerica.com \|url=http://www.airamerica.com/maddow/bio \|title=Rachel Maddow Biography \|accessdate=2007-05-26}}</ref> The couple met in 1999, when Mikula hired Maddow, who was then working on her doctoral dissertation, to do yard work at her home.<ref name="Bantering"/> She does not own a television set, but does sometimes watch streaming broadcast content on her computer (which she refers to on her MSNBC show as "the TV machine") <ref>{{cite news \|first=Liz \|last=Wolgemuth \|work=U.S. News & World Report \|title=Rachel Maddow: MSNBC's Smart Hire \|url=http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-inside-job/2008/9/24/rachel-maddow-msnbcs-smart-hire.html \|date=2008-09-24}}</ref>. However, she is reportedly committed to getting one so that Mikula can watch her show.<ref name="ntf"/> As of 2009, Maddow and Mikula do not plan to marry, though living in Massachusetts gives them the option.<ref name="xan"/>

			==Honors and awards==
			*Maddow was named in '']'' magazine's "Out 100" list of the "gay men and women who moved culture" in 2008.<ref>{{cite news\|work=Out Magazine\|url=http://www.out.com/out100/nominees_1.asp \|title=The Out 100: The men and women who made 2008 a year to remember \|date=November 4, 2008}}</ref>
			*Maddow was voted "Lesbian/Bi Woman of the Year (American)" in ]'s 2008 Visibility Awards.<ref>{{cite web \|title=The AfterEllen.com 2008 Visibility Awards \|publisher=AfterEllen.com \|url=http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2008/12/visibilityawards \|date=December 17, 2008}}</ref>
			*Maddow won a Gracie Award in 2009, presented by the ].<ref>{{cite web \|first=David \|last=Tanklefsky \|title=Rachel Maddow, Suze Orman Among the Winners of AWRT's Gracie Awards \|work=Broadcasting & Cable \|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/179792-Rachel_Maddow_Suze_Orman_Among_the_Winners_of_AWRT_s_Gracie_Awards.php \|date=February 24, 2009}}</ref>
			*Also in 2009, Maddow was nominated for ]'s 20th Annual Media Awards for a segment of her MSNBC show, "Rick Warren, Change To Believe In?", in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Twentieth Annual GLAAD Media Award Nominees \|publisher=Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation \|url=http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/20thAnnual/nominees.php \|date=January 27, 2009}}</ref>
			*On March 28, 2009, Maddow received a Proclamation of Honor from the California State Senate, presented in San Francisco by California State Senator Mark Leno.<ref>{{cite web \| title=Mother Jones flikr photo stream \| publisher=Mother Jones \|url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherjones/3398767311/ \|date= March 28, 2009}}</ref>
			*In April 2009 she was named in ]'s Annual Power 50 List, landing at number 4.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.out.com/power50/covers.asp?category=4.%20Rachel%20Maddow \|title=3rd Annual Power 50 \| 4. Rachel Maddow \|publisher=Out.com \|date=2008-06-23 \|accessdate=2009-11-14}}</ref>
			*Maddow placed no.6 in the "2009 AfterEllen.com Hot 100" list (May 11, 2009)<ref>In http://www.afterellen.com/people/2009/hot100?page=0%2C1</ref> and no.3 in their "2009 Hot 100: Out Women" version.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.afterellen.com/people/2009/outwomen \|title=The 2009 AfterEllen.com Hot 100: Out Women \|publisher=AfterEllen.com \|date=2009-04-25 \|accessdate=2009-11-14}}</ref>
			*Maddow is included on a list of openly gay media professionals in ]'s "Forty under 40" issue of June/July 2009.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid82422.asp?page=5 \|title=Forty Under 40: Media \|publisher=Advocate.com \|date= \|accessdate=2009-11-14}}</ref>
			*In June 2009, Maddow's MSNBC show was the only cable news show nominated for a ] award in the ''Outstanding Achievement in News and Information'' category.<ref> {{cite web\|title=Television Critics Association Announces 2009 Award Nominees\|publisher=tvcritics.org\|url=http://tvcritics.org/television-critics-association-announces-2009-award-nominees/}}</ref>

			==References==
			{{reflist\|2}}

			==External links==
			{{Commons category\|Rachel Maddow}}
			* on MSNBC
			*
			*
			*

			{{Air America radio stations}}
			{{MSNBC Personalities}}

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Maddow, Rachel}}
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Revision as of 05:29, 12 March 2010

Rachel Maddow
Maddow hosting KPTK "Changing the Media, Changing America" event in Seattle (June 2006)
Born	Rachel Anne Maddow (1973-04-01) April 1, 1973 (age 51) Castro Valley, California, U.S.
Education	B.A., Stanford University D.Phil, Oxford University
Occupation(s)	News anchor Political commentator Television host
Notable credit(s)	The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) The Rachel Maddow Show (Air America Radio)
Website	http://www.rachelmaddow.com/

Rachel Anne Maddow (pronounced /ˈmædoʊ/; born April 1, 1973) is an American radio personality, television host, and political commentator. Her syndicated talk radio program, The Rachel Maddow Show, aired on Air America Radio. Maddow hosts a nightly television show, The Rachel Maddow Show, on MSNBC. She was also a guest host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Race for the White House. Maddow is the first openly gay anchor to be hired to host a prime-time news program in the United States.

Early life and education

Maddow, who was born in Castro Valley, California, is the daughter of Robert B. "Bob" Maddow, a former Air Force captain and an attorney for the East Bay Municipal Utility District, and Elaine Maddow (née Gosse), a school program administrator from Newfoundland, Canada. She has one older brother, David. Maddow was raised a strict Roman Catholic in a community that her mother has described as "very conservative." Maddow excelled in academics and athletics. Referencing John Hughes films, she describes herself in high school as "a cross between the jock and the antisocial girl."

A graduate of Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, Maddow earned a degree in public policy from Stanford University in 1994. At graduation she was awarded the John Gardner Fellowship. She was also the recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship and began her postgraduate study in 1995 at Lincoln College, Oxford. In 2001, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree (DPhil) in politics from Oxford University. Her doctoral thesis is titled HIV/AIDS and Health Care Reform in British and American Prisons. She was the first openly gay American to win a Rhodes scholarship.

Radio career

Maddow's first radio hosting job was at WRNX (100.9 FM) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The station held a contest for a new on-air personality and Maddow won. She was hired to co-host WRNX's then premier morning show, The Dave in the Morning Show. She later went on to host Big Breakfast on WRSI, in Northampton, Massachusetts, for two years. She left the show to join the newly-created Air America in March 2004. There she hosted Unfiltered along with Chuck D (of the hip hop group Public Enemy) and Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show) until its cancellation in March 2005. Two weeks later, in April 2005, her own two-hour-long program, The Rachel Maddow Show, began airing; it was expanded to three hours in March 2008. It was broadcast live from New York from 6 to 9 p.m. ET on weekdays, with David Bender filling in the third hour for the call-in section when Maddow was on TV assignment. In September 2008 the show returned to a two-hour format as Maddow began her nightly MSNBC television program. In February 2009, after renewing her contract with Air America, Maddow returned to a one hour, 5 a.m. morning slot. On January 21, 2010, Air America ceased live programming thus taking this show and several others off the air. On February 4th, Air America filed for bankruptcy.

Television career

In June 2005 Maddow became a regular panelist on MSNBC's Tucker. During and after the November 2006 election, she was a frequent guest on CNN's Paula Zahn Now. In January 2008, Maddow was given the position of MSNBC political analyst and was a regular panelist on MSNBC's Race for the White House with David Gregory and MSNBC's election coverage, as well as a frequent contributor on Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

In April 2008, Maddow was the substitute host for Countdown with Keith Olbermann, her first time hosting a program on MSNBC. Maddow described herself on air as "nervous." Keith Olbermann complimented her work and she was brought back to host "Countdown" in May 2008. The day she hosted was the highest rated news program in the key 25–54 year old demographic. For her success, Olbermann awarded Maddow the 3rd ranking in his regular segment, "World's Best Persons" on the following Monday, calling her "World's Best Pinch-Hitter." Maddow filled in again on Countdown for eight-and-a-half broadcasts while Olbermann was on vacation in July 2008 (including the latter half of the July 21 show). Maddow has also filled in for David Gregory as host of Race for the White House.

The Rachel Maddow Show

Main article: The Rachel Maddow Show

MSNBC announced in August 2008 that The Rachel Maddow Show would replace Verdict with Dan Abrams in the channel's 9PM ET time slot beginning September 2008. Since its debut the show has topped Countdown as the highest rated show on MSNBC on several occasions. After being on air for a little over a month, Maddow's program doubled the audience for MSNBC's 9PM hour.

Early reviews for her show were mostly positive. Los Angeles Times writer, Matea Gold stated that Maddow, "finds the right formula on MSNBC", while The Guardian writes Maddow has become the "star of America's cable news". Associated Press columnist, David Bauder called her " Olbermann's political soul mate" and refered to the Olbermann/Maddow shows as a "liberal two-hour block".

Maddow describes herself as more nuanced, saying in one interview that she is a "national security liberal" and in another that she is not "a partisan" and objects to being typecast. The New York Times called her a "defense policy wonk" who is currently writing a book on the role of the military in postwar American politics. During the 2008 presidential election Maddow did not formally support any candidate. Concerning Barack Obama's candidacy, Maddow said, "I have never and still don't think of myself as an Obama supporter, either professionally or actually."

Personal life

Maddow lives in Manhattan and western Massachusetts with her partner, artist Susan Mikula. The couple met in 1999, when Mikula hired Maddow, who was then working on her doctoral dissertation, to do yard work at her home. She does not own a television set, but does sometimes watch streaming broadcast content on her computer (which she refers to on her MSNBC show as "the TV machine") . However, she is reportedly committed to getting one so that Mikula can watch her show. As of 2009, Maddow and Mikula do not plan to marry, though living in Massachusetts gives them the option.

Honors and awards

Maddow was named in Out magazine's "Out 100" list of the "gay men and women who moved culture" in 2008.
Maddow was voted "Lesbian/Bi Woman of the Year (American)" in AfterEllen's 2008 Visibility Awards.
Maddow won a Gracie Award in 2009, presented by the American Women in Radio and Television.
Also in 2009, Maddow was nominated for GLAAD's 20th Annual Media Awards for a segment of her MSNBC show, "Rick Warren, Change To Believe In?", in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category.
On March 28, 2009, Maddow received a Proclamation of Honor from the California State Senate, presented in San Francisco by California State Senator Mark Leno.
In April 2009 she was named in Out magazine's Annual Power 50 List, landing at number 4.
Maddow placed no.6 in the "2009 AfterEllen.com Hot 100" list (May 11, 2009) and no.3 in their "2009 Hot 100: Out Women" version.
Maddow is included on a list of openly gay media professionals in The Advocate's "Forty under 40" issue of June/July 2009.
In June 2009, Maddow's MSNBC show was the only cable news show nominated for a Television Critics Association award in the Outstanding Achievement in News and Information category.

References

Margot Adler, Rachel Maddow: Sassy, Acerbic And — Yes — Liberal, npr.org, All Things Considered, October 23, 2008
Caroll, Jon (August 11, 2009). "Rachel Maddow is my sweetie". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
Weisbert, Julie (2007-08-23). "Talking things up". Bay Windows. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
"''Maddow the first out News Anchor of a prime-time news program''". Lesbiatopia.com. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
Johnson, Ted (March 6, 2009). "Maddow's unique style spikes ratings". Variety.
"Olbermann welcomes Rachel Maddow to MSNBC". lgbtQnews. August 19, 2008.
Whitehill, Simcha (December 18, 2008). "The Greatest & Gayest Headlines Of 2008". The Frisky.
"November 6, 2008: Rachel Maddow". The Colbert Report. Comedy Central. November 6, 2008.
France, Louise (February 8, 2009). "Interview: 'I'm not a TV anchor babe. I'm a big lesbian who looks like a man'". The Observer.
LaBerge, Germaine (1997-02-03). "INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT MADDOW". University of California Berkeley. Retrieved 2009-08-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
Baird, Julia (2008-11-22). "When Left is Right". Newsweek. Retrieved 2009-08-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Cricket, Xander (2009). Rachel Maddow: A Neowonk Guide to the Leftist, Lesbian Pundit. ISBN 978-1442122673.
Sheridan, Barrett (May/June 2008). "Making Airwaves: Broadcaster Rachel Maddow is succeeding at her goal of 'lefty rabblerousing'". Stanford Magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
^ Barnhart, Aaron (June 15, 2008). "MSNBC's Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow are young, geeky and hot". Kansas City Star. p. G1.
Warn, Sarah (August 20, 2008). "Rachel Maddow Becomes First Out Lesbian to Host Prime-Time News Show". afterellen.com.
Goodwin, Christopher (September 28, 2008). "Gay TV host is liberal queen of US news". The Guardian.
Lehoczky, Etelka (2004-08-31). "Left and centered: Air America radio's Rachel Maddow is out, brilliant, and ready to defend the other L word: liberal". The Advocate.
Bagby, Dyana (2005-01-28). "Two 'L-words'; Morning host adds 'lesbian' to 'liberal' radio's success". Southern Voice Atlanta.
"Rachel Maddow Renews With Air America Media". Air America.com. February 2, 2009.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aa_waT5rYJe8
Parnass, Larry (June 15, 2005). "Maddow joins new program on MSNBC". Daily Hampshire Gazette.
"The Scoreboard: Friday, May 16". TV Newser. 2008-05-16.
Olbermann, Keith (2008-05-20). "World's Best Persons May 20, 2008". MSNBC.
Steinberg, Jacques (2008-07-17). "Now in Living Rooms, the Host Apparent". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
"Political commentator Maddow gets own show". Associated Press. 2008-08-20.
Carter, Bill (2008-08-19). "Rachel Maddow to Replace Dan Abrams on MSNBC". The New York Times.
Shae, Danny (2008-09-18). "Rachel Maddow Ratings: Beats Olbermann's "Countdown" To Be MSNBC's Top Show". Huffington Post.
Stanley, Alessandra (2008-09-25). "A Fresh Female Face Amid Cable Schoolboys". The New York Times.
^ Stelter, Brian (October 21, 2008). "Fresh Face on Cable, Sharp Rise in Ratings". The New York Times. p. C1.
[http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/29/entertainment/et-maddow29 MSNBC's new liberal spark plug Rachel Maddow, political junkie and TV rookie, launches to surprising ratings] Los Angeles Times Retrieved 2010-03-11
Gay TV host is liberal queen of US news The Guardian Retrieved 2010-03-11
Bauder, David (October 26, 2008). "O'Reilly, Olbermann: polar opposites of campaign". Associated Press.
^ Steinberg, Jacques (July 17, 2008). "Now in Living Rooms, the Host Apparent". New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
Kurtz, Howard (August 27, 2008). "Rachel Maddow, MSNBC's Newest Left Hand". Washington Post. p. A20. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
Gold, Matea (September 29, 2008). "MSNBC's new liberal spark plug". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
"Rachel Maddow's Life and Career". The Nation. August 18, 2008. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
^ Goldscheider, Eric (2005-02-24). "Weekday bantering is balanced by quiet New England weekends". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
"Rachel Maddow Biography". AirAmerica.com. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
Wolgemuth, Liz (2008-09-24). "Rachel Maddow: MSNBC's Smart Hire". U.S. News & World Report.
"The Out 100: The men and women who made 2008 a year to remember". Out Magazine. November 4, 2008.
"The AfterEllen.com 2008 Visibility Awards". AfterEllen.com. December 17, 2008.
Tanklefsky, David (February 24, 2009). "Rachel Maddow, Suze Orman Among the Winners of AWRT's Gracie Awards". Broadcasting & Cable.
"Twentieth Annual GLAAD Media Award Nominees". Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. January 27, 2009.
"Mother Jones flikr photo stream". Mother Jones. March 28, 2009.
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In http://www.afterellen.com/people/2009/hot100?page=0%2C1
"The 2009 AfterEllen.com Hot 100: Out Women". AfterEllen.com. 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
"Forty Under 40: Media". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
"Television Critics Association Announces 2009 Award Nominees". tvcritics.org.

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