As we know, Rachel Maddow will debut with her new show on MSNBC in just a few days. We have all been eagerly anticipating this moment here on DKos. In some way or another, we've all played our part, however small it might be, in making this dream of ours a reality. Who can count the number of letters we've sent to MSNBC, the number of times we've prodded Keith about getting Rachel her own program, or the number of diaries we've written calling for this to happen? We all have a vested interest in this and we want to see Rachel succeed.
Rachel Maddow, a rising star at MSNBC, will start anchoring her own program: The Rachel Maddow Show on September 08, 2008 at 9pm.
Please follow me and Rachel over the jump::
The fact that Rachel is getting her own show is somewhat a coming of age for the left. For years the right wing lunatic fringe has been given the opportunity by the corporate media to shove their lunacy down our throats with unbridled abandon. It was not until the advent of our great Keith Olbermann, that ordinary Americans found a voice that they could finally trust. Keith stood up for his values, and showed the msm that progressive pundits can be successful too. Not only that, he has continually held the Bush Regime accountable for its criminality and managed to slap down the biggest morons on the right. Certainly, he has paved the way for Rachel and many others yet to come with his sheer bravery and insistence on defending the truth. Rachel will now join Keith on the front lines along with us in the progressive blogosphere as we slowly try to reclaim this great country from the right-wing loons who have not only shredded our constitution and made us all less safe but have also succeeded in making us the laughing stock of the world.
Keith Olbermann, viewed as a hero by many Americans, provided a well needed alternative voice to the usual right wing spin in cable news.
I don't know what Rachel's program will look like. She has at least given us some hints of what to expect but we are for the most part clueless. What I do know however, is that she will make an excellent pundit. She is not only extraordinarily intelligent and witty but she also has a proven track record of commanding a loyal audience as a television host. I am excited to see what the format of her program will be like. I hope that MSNBC avoid the Verdic/Race For The White House route. Away with that crappy sounding music like what they have on Race For The White House and those ridiculous comic book graphics that characterized Verdict. Also, I hope they don't make Rachel's role into something like Gregory's where the host is just relegated to refereeing between a number of talking heads.
Dan Abrams is a good guy but viewers did not find his program exciting enough to stay tuned.
If MSNBC really want to make a big statement with Rachel where the ratings are concerned, they only have to look at their brightest star: Keith Olbermann. One of the main things behind any successful pundit is personality. Keith definitely has this going on for him and so does Rachel. The audience must be able to share some connection or passion with the pundit; something that will keep them tuned in night after night after night. In essence, the pundit must sell himself/herself as a brand. For example, people generally tune in to MSNBC to see Olbermann deliver, to CNN to hear Cafferty rant or to faux to hear Billo spit out moronic talking points. These three pundits have successfully marketed themselves as brands.
Most people only tune in to CNN to see this guy, sorry Wolf. You see the expression on his face? you don't want to be on his wrong side: Hear that McCain!
Secondly, the show must be interesting. The pundit must know what makes his audience tick. Throw a little red meat here and there, get their emotions wild up. Keith and Billo are especially adept at doing this, that's why they have such fiercly loyal audiences...Cafferty knows how to stir the pot too, if only he had his own program but anyhow he makes a perfect team with the Wolf. I have confidence that Rachel will be able to do this. She definitely knows how to hold her ground and land powerful punches when push comes to shove; I say watch out right wing lunatic fringers!
Bill Orally, an obnoxious right wing blowhard, has managed to create a successful brand for himself on the lunatic fringe.
Also as I was talking about branding, it reminds me of another important characteristic behind most successful pundits: their signature. The program should start with a potent signature that puts the audience in the mood for what's to come and remains in their minds long after the t.v. is turned off. Countdown does this very effectively, as whenever I hear Keith introduce his program with the opening words: "Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow" I am immediately drawn in and I simply cannot move until Keith finishes the introduction. It's a very powerful feeling, my heart rate literally increases. It's this great buildup which usually climaxes with the Worst Person in the World segment. Plus Keith has his signature sign off line, "Good night and good luck" and action - throwing a piece of crumpled paper at the screen which then shatters - that makes for a great program overall. All these little things make the program interesting and that's what keep people tuned in. I am not saying that Rachel should try and replicate Keith, she's effective enough being herself. What I'm saying is that the producers of her show need to take a look at some of the things that have made Keith so successful and apply them to her program. Developing a great signature for her to start her program with is a good start.
Keith is famous for his own unique signatures that also makes him beloved by his viewers.
I've thoroughly analyzed the situation, and I think the best thing that MSNBC could do for Rachel is give her a live audience. I mean if they really want to be a game changer in this extremely competitive ratings game, they really ought to think outside the box. Sure, Rachel does great in a typical t.v. setting as we've seen on Race For The White House and when she appears on Countdown, but I think she is even more phenomenal when she has an audience behind her. I came to this conclusion after watching her anchor in front of the crowd outside the DNC convention. She is naturally a people person, she knows how to connect with a crowd and drive home her points. She had the crowd going wild for the most part in Denver and when she smacked down Pat for his nonsense, it was something to behold. Take a look for yourself:
Rachel eviscerates Pat Buchanan and receives wild cheers from a receptive audience...a taste of what her show could look like.
If MSNBC realizes what they have going for them, they would seriously consider giving Rachel a live audience. I know that a live set is somewhat more expensive than the average program but it would be an extremely wise investment on the part of the network. Imagine having Rachel on with a screaming live audience after Keith. I'm imagining something like Jon Stewart (minus the fake news and overt comedy) or Bill Maher (minus the crude commentary). Americans are naturally drawn to programs with live audiences, it's ingrained in our Democratic DNA. Anyhow, whatever MSNBC does, I just hope they don't make Rachel's show out to be 'just another MSNBC program'. They should make it special like Keith's show. For the most part, if they allow Rachel to be herself then things will be just fine. This is an incredible opportunity for the network. The 9pm demo is basically theirs for the taking.