Rachel Rocks!
By
First, she’s a liberal, and well, so am I. On many things anyway. Some might be surprised at my relatively conservative views on some issues, but that’s for another post. Or not. But even though she’s a liberal, she is still willing to concede when she’s wrong, and, most importantly, she is willing to criticize other liberals or politicians she normally supports when she does not agree with them. Those are huge things for me and, in my opinion, speak volumes about a person.
Politics can be a tricky and complicated topic because it is steeped in history and culture and personalities and nuances, but she handles it so smoothly. You know how you can tell when someone is really good at something because they make it look so effortless? Like Fred Astaire and his dancing? That’s Rachel and politics. In any political story, she seems to know just who to interview to sort through the fact and fiction. She asks questions that actually bring light to the story and makes information so digestible that even someone like ME can understand what’s going on. Hell, thanks to Rachel, I may even be able to tell you who the treasury secretary is.
Before I cross over into gushing territory (too late?) I’ll just say that not every segment on every show is super fantastic. But her show is entertaining and informative. She’s a refreshing change from the existing white guys representing the left. She’s less smug than Keith Olbermann and more articulate than Alan Colmes. Sorry, guys. Check out her show or at least her website if you’re at all liberal or even simply interested in politics.
Okay, I promise not to turn this into a strictly political blog, but all the recent Obama fuss has sparked my interest (obviously) in the governmental goings on of our nation. Plus, it’s part of my efforts to stretch my writing repertoire. (I know you all really just read for the Muffin updates, and I’ll have one soon. Honest.)
Oh, and if you thought the title of this post referred to the Rachel from “Friends” (or, as my mother wishes, her fourth daughter), you should really give me a little more credit than that!
I’ve been meaning to check her out–your post has stirred me into action. Sounds like you have the chick version of a bromance goin’on. Like you, I hope that a side effect of having a fresh face in the White House, whether you like him or not, is that people will reengage in the political process. Good post!
Yeah, when Greg was editing for me, he saw the title and went, “Oh, your new chick crush. Is she replacing Jodie [Foster]?”
Hmm…I do not know this woman but you have inspired me to find out about her. What time and night is she on MSNBC?
She is on every week night (M-F) and I think the website says 9 PM Eastern time. Here in CA she actually airs twice– before and after “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” But check out the link in the post for more info and some clips if the timing doesn’t work for you.
I am a BIG fan of her show. But when I saw “Rachel”, I thought you ment Rachel Ray
I must say you had told me to check her show out (I’d been a big fan of her guest interviews on the Today show) and I did on Inauguration day but I was surprised to say the least.
I felt like I was watching a political version of Talk Soup (the bad one with Jim Hensen, not the good one with Greg Kinnear) and I didn’t “love” it.
I have since recorded a few shows and am going to give it another try but the first impression… not good which surprised me.
Kelly! I love Rachel Maddow – especially her “talk me down” segment and “just enough pop culture with Kent Jones.” Love what you wrote about her – she is smart and accessible – a rare combination.