Rachel Maddow Becomes First Out Lesbian to Host Prime-Time News Show

AfterEllen ^ | 8/20/08 | staff

[pissant]

Openly gay political commentator Rachel Maddow, 35, is getting her own prime-time show on MSNBC, the cable news channel confirmed on Tuesday.

"This just completes our prime-time lineup," MSNBC President Phil Griffin told the New York Times.

Beginning Sept. 8, Maddow will replace commentator Dan Abrams in the 9 p.m. time slot. Her show will initially focus on the presidential race but will become more of a general news program after the election.

"This is great," Maddow told the Times. "Getting a regular cable show is something I’ve wanted."

Maddow will be the first out lesbian to host a prime-time news or political commentary show on American television, and one of the very few women ever to do so. MSNBC does not have any other news or political commentary shows hosted by women.

Maddow currently divides her time between Manhattan and western Massachusetts, where she lives with her partner of 10 years, artist Susan Mikula.

Maddow has hosted a popular liberal talk radio show on Air America since 2004. She has also been a frequent guest commentator on political talk shows like MSNBC's Tucker and CNN's Paula Zahn Now, and is currently a regular panelist on MSNBC's Race for the White House With David Gregory.

[BigSkyFreeper]

This was as shocking as finding out Liberace was gay.

You're joking. Not as shocking as finding out Rock Hudson was gay.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Liberace made it to Hollywood on the back of a Hudson.

[JimC214]

Rock Hudson died from Botulism, bad meat in the can, Bada Bing!

[Impy]

GUILTY!

She could make a nice “transition” partner for recovering gay males.

[Mediocrates]

It's important for us to know she's a lesbian, but John Edwards’ sex life is none of our business.

Got it.

[tx_eggman]

Rachel is a lesbian? Get oughta here!

Probably only got the gig because of her long lost brother's stardom ...

[Impy]

NBC has Olympic coverage on there!

[Petronski]

Rachel Maddow Becomes First Out Lesbian to Host Prime-Time News Show

Suze Orman would disagree.

[Ron in Acreage]

Only because The Tack Olbermann hasn’t come out yet.

[iopscusa]

Maybe this Lefty trash talker will do the same for MSNBC as she did for Err America. Punitive Liberalism is a real PAIN!

[reagan_fanatic]

[Blood of Tyrants]

Maddow has hosted a popular liberal talk radio show on Air America since 2004.

Err America is POPULAR? How many listeners do they have? 500? Err America is s "popular" that they can't even get liberals to buy advertising time so they rely on the likes of George Soros to PAY to keep the show on the air!

[ByteMercenary]

I wish you would include a sarcasm disclaimer. Anyone who has had the misfortune of watching Rachel ‘Butch’ Maddow for more than two minutes would make the lesbian connection.

[AU72]

Her first guests will by Mrs.& Mrs. DeGeneris.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It’s Pat from SNL!

[Dr. Ursus]

Not separated at birth.

[Osage Orange]

Thank God...I will never have to make that connection.

[BigSkyFreeper]

LOL! I also thought it was hilarious to see the reaction on my mom's face when I told her Anderson Cooper was gay. She said "But... But... He's got a girlfriend!", and I said "Yeah, so did Rock Hudson. He had a bunch of them."

Tom Cruise is gay. John Travolta too.

[RetSignman]

[first out lesbian to host a prime-time news]

Unless she is going to do lesbian stuff on the news...SO WHAT!!

[silverleaf]

Let’s have some fairness here! Make Tammy Bruce her counterpart.