Maddow's unique style spikes ratings

[Are_grits_groceries]

If there was any doubt about MSNBC's faith in Rachel Maddow, look where they sent her in the past few weeks: She guested on Jay Leno and visited the ladies at "The View."
And when Keith Olbermann was anchoring MSNBC's coverage of President Obama's first speech before Congress, she was the first analyst he called upon for reaction -- a plum position that in the past may have gone to Tim Russert.

After struggling for years to fill the prime 9 p.m. slot -- with personalities as disparate as Rita Cosby to Dan Abrams -- the network has landed a solid performer in Maddow. Her ratings are a vast improvement over what has been there recently, and she has helped erase doubts the network could carry over sizable audiences from the record heights of the campaign season.

In fact, she's made enough of a splash that the network is looking to fill the hour after hers with a compatible show, a prospect that has liberal groups lobbying for a like-minded progressive to counter Fox News.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000926.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Good article...

[NewJeffCT]

1. I'm actually enjoying her show more than Olbermann now

just because she seems to have more guests from the Dark Side than Keith, and I like seeing Rachel use things like facts against them.

[gratuitous]

2. Donahue had the highest-rated show on MSNBC once upon a time

But when the good people at GE saw that a dissenting voice on war imperiled their wehrmacht profiteering, he was G-O-N-E. With any luck, Rachel will avoid that problem. Who knows? Intelligent discussion of issues from a progressive point of view just might catch on. Might get more viewers. Could mean more money.

Money, Jack. Money, money, money.

[DFW]

3. I can only guess as to why?

Maybe the fact that she's funny, quick and absolutely brilliant could be a factor?

Just speculating here..........

[Larkspur]

4. I enjoy both Keith and Rachel

but I know my brother in Florida does not get MSNBC on his cable. He'd have to pay extra for it; whereas Fox News is part of his cable package. MSNBC may need to address this.