Think Progress

Maddow’s debut beats Larry King, Glenn Beck.

On Monday, Rachel Maddow debuted her new MSNBC show, “The Rachel Maddow Show.” According to Nielson, more viewers tuned in for Maddow’s debut than watched Larry King on CNN or Glenn Beck on CNN Headline News, although Hannity and Colmes on Fox News still held the top slot during that hour:

viewers3.gif

(HT: Atrios)




Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date

77 Responses to “Maddow’s debut beats Larry King, Glenn Beck.”

  1. Fritz Says:

    GO RACHEL!


  2. Uncle Ho Says:

    yes! yes! YES!

    You GO GIRL!


  3. leftcoast Says:

    Hannity and Colmes on Fox News still held the top slot during that hour
    Hate, fear, and anger sells, I guess. The truth never has too many fans.


  4. TPR Says:

    Excellent news, but I still don't understand why KO should run and 8 and 10. It's way popular, but who is going to watch it twice. I think they should have kept Abrams in the lineup. KO first, then play with the order of Abrams and Maddow to see what works best.


  5. leftzone Says:

    Well, let's face it, Hannity is funny!


  6. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    I love Rachel and think her delivery is great. I don't like the staging of the show, though. It's so weird to be looking at the side or back of her head when the camera is focused on the person she is interviewing on screen. There are other things about the staging that irritate me, but they allude me right now. But, she is so smart, sassy and articulate, watching the show is a joy. Since I don't watch much TV, I am now fast forwarding through KO, missing things like Oddball and other things I don't find important, so I can watch all of Rachel's show. There is a lot more substance to her show than is in Countdown.


  7. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Beat Beck?

    By more than TWICE the numbers...

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

    Whew... I LOVES doin' that...

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

    Give her a little time and she'll be running right up on Heil Hannity too!


  8. Bobwurst Says:

    leftzone Says:

    Well, let’s face it, Hannity is funny!

    but looks don't count.


  9. alphainfinityomega Says:

    leftzone Says:

    Well, let’s face it, Hannity is funny!

    I guess he is....in an inbred kind of way.

    ¶ AIO


  10. gummitch Says:

    I'd love to watch Rachel -- if only the creeps at Comcast hadn't bumped MSNBC out of my cable lineup. Bastids.


  11. The Shadow Says:

    Now I know why McSame is leading the race. If Fax news is leading in any slot, the people watching are obvious idiots. Who on this planet doesn't know that Fox News is fake at best and a corrupt mouth piece for the Republican party? I mean come on that "fair and balanced" tag is hog wash to put it mildly. I wouldn't watch Fake azz News if my life depended on it.


  12. garyb50 Says:

    Not really the kind of beating Glenn Beck deserves, however.


  13. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    Another thing I see there is that Hardball's numbers are dismal. It may be the time period, but I was surprised to see how many fewer people watch Hardball than Countdown.


  14. had enough Says:

    Maybe the corporate media will get the hint that this is what America wants. Go Rachael... you will help save America.

    Let's hope they do not begin to omit her shows as Comcast is alleged omitting Oberman by callers on the local progressive radio program in some parts of Portland OR last night.


  15. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    The Shadow Says:
    Now I know why McSame is leading the race.

    Please stop saying that McSame is leading. He is not. The polls changed because the polling companies moved the goalposts. They were polling 10% more Democrats because there are 12% more registered Democrats but now they are polling an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. In other words, they are cooking the books. The fix is in with both the MSM and the polling companies. We need to talk to everyone we know to stop the lies.


  16. robbez_92107 Says:

    Someone with a brain beating the Cryptkeeper and Beck-arrhea of the Mouth?

    Who would have thought it?


  17. gummitch Says:

    had enough Says:

    Let’s hope they do not begin to omit her shows as Comcast is alleged omitting Oberman by callers on the local progressive radio program in some parts of Portland OR last night.

    As a Comcast user in Portland, I suspect that what they were talking about was a move Comcast made last year that pushed MSNBC up into the 100s, which moved it off the basic cable lineup. They've still got FoxNews, of course! And a whole bunch of crappy shopping channels, but they just don't have room for MSNBC. I complained to no effect.

    Of course, it's also possible that Comcast was specifically screwing with Countdown.


  18. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    had enough Says:
    Let’s hope they do not begin to omit her shows as Comcast is alleged omitting Oberman by callers on the local progressive radio program in some parts of Portland OR last night.

    I don't think Comcast is omitting Countdown. They had a problem with channel 128 last night and they resolved it before Rachel came on. I then caught Countdown after Rachel's show.


  19. Mr. Evil Says:

    The ratings are a bit deceptive. Most of the large cable companies put MSNBC on a higher tier than FOX or CNN. So to watch Countdown or Maddow you have to upgrade to receive MSNBC.


  20. superid Says:

    I thought the show was above average. She didn't let Pat Buchanan get away with his disingenuous ranting. She brought on TD Jakes and Bob Barr. She has a clear grasp of the issues (being a Rhodes Scholar with a PhD in political science you would hope so). Hannity's low info angry little racist Irishman thing gets old. Larry is the undead and Beck's best credential is that he flunked out of clown college. So yes, change is good.


  21. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    Mr. Evil Says:
    The ratings are a bit deceptive. Most of the large cable companies put MSNBC on a higher tier than FOX or CNN. So to watch Countdown or Maddow you have to upgrade to receive MSNBC.

    They are also deceptive because they include bars and hotels in the count. Fox has a total monopoly on bars and hotels and most people don't watch it when it's on.


  22. gummitch Says:

    Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    Please stop saying that McSame is leading. He is not. The polls changed because the polling companies moved the goalposts.

    My buddy the political science prof wrote this:

    [Electoral-vote reports a shift of p]recisely 20: Ohio, which went from Dem to Rep. Virginia went from tied to Republican. Florida went from Republican to tied. What you're seeing is the post convention bounce filtering down to the state level polling -- though Florida is an interesting result (in a good way interesting).

    I wouldn't be too spooked about these numbers, for a couple reasons. One, it's the bounce. The bounce will mitigate a bit (like Obama's bounce mitigated.) Two, most of those state level polls are Rasmussen polls, which tilt a bit to the Republican side anyway (not due to any nefarious ideological malfeasance, but a 'house effect' that is probably a function of their likely voter model.)


  23. had enough Says:

    gummitch Says:

    I’d love to watch Rachel — if only the creeps at Comcast hadn’t bumped MSNBC out of my cable lineup. Bastids.

    Many callers called into KPOJ 620 am in Portland OR stating Comcast had omitted Oberman last night. And these people pay extra for MSNBC to receive it. Some were able to see it.
    Yes they are bastards and things are getting ugly.


  24. hussein toasterhead Says:

    Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    They are also deceptive because they include bars and hotels in the count. Fox has a total monopoly on bars and hotels and most people don’t watch it when it’s on.

    September 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
    _______

    Really? Bars and hotels get Nielsen boxes?


  25. tomcat27834 Says:

    ahhhh, FOX Noise and the National Enquirer...now thats legitimate JOURNALISM !!


  26. spencers mom Says:

    Go Rachel!

    OT, but who would have thought that Andrew Sullivan would be the one who calls McCain the dishonorable liar that he is:

    http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/mccains-integri.html

    PEACE


  27. IgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:

    Obama respons to the phony outrage presented by the McCain campaign regarding his "pig-lipstick" remarks. I am totally happy with his response.


  28. DieNowForPeace Says:

    Not sure if it's a weather thing in the Pacific NW, but since switching to DirecTV satellite, receiving television through a "cable" seems so anachronistic.

    And the customer service with satellite is hands-down one million times better than that I got with cable.

    2 cents.


  29. shoeless Says:

    It's good to see Racheal finally got another job after Air America went off the air.


  30. 5th Estate Says:

    gummitch...

    Where are you located? I get basic Comcast in northern NJ and I get MSNBC. Maybe its a regional strategy?


  31. RantingTommy Says:

    shoeless Says:

    It’s good to see Racheal finally got another job after Air America went off the air.

    She is still on Air America, which is still on the air.


  32. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    #gummitch Says:
    I’d love to watch Rachel — if only the creeps at Comcast hadn’t bumped MSNBC out of my cable lineup. Bastids.

    Dump Comcast and get Dish Network. They have MSNBC in their America's Top 200. It's way cheaper than Comcast's equal programming. I'm changing in October when my contract with Comcast is up. Plus, I don't like what Comcast is doing in their internet business by limiting internet usage of their customers.


  33. leftzone Says:

    You know what's great about Rachel? The wingers are scared of her, and scared of her being on the air, she's everything a woman shouldn't be, smart, educated, well spoken and not a blonde stepford-anchor.


  34. had enough Says:

    Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
    I don’t think Comcast is omitting Countdown. They had a problem with channel 128 last night and they resolved it before Rachel came on. I then caught Countdown after Rachel’s show.

    Hope this is the case and not a reoccurring problem. We will see. I canceled my cable months ago out of principle.
    And, it is an outrage one has to pay an extra charge with Comcase to see MSNBC.


  35. gummitch Says:

    5th Estate, I'm in Portland, OR. I'd be open to switching to satellite but my landlord says No. I'm generally OK with Comcast and their level of service, but this change was uncalled for. Interesting, though, that it's not a national policy.


  36. thelonegunman Says:

    how long before the suits at NBC decide she's too partisan (i.e., she calls out the repigs on their crap, ala KO) and decide to grant joe scarborough a 60 min platform to shovel the s*%t he serves up in his 'morning joe' (or someone else of his ilk... i hear tucker needs a job...


  37. had enough Says:

    Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    #gummitch Says:
    I’d love to watch Rachel — if only the creeps at Comcast hadn’t bumped MSNBC out of my cable lineup. Bastids.

    Dump Comcast and get Dish Network.

    If I remember right, gummitch's neighborhood/community does not allow dish.


  38. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    shoeless Says:
    It’s good to see Racheal finally got another job after Air America went off the air.

    So, exactly when did Air America go off the air. It seems to me I was listening to it on my way to work this morning.


  39. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    hussein toasterhead Says:
    Really? Bars and hotels get Nielsen boxes?

    Yep, I read about that a while ago.

    I also don't trust Nielsen ratings. My ex husband worked for them years ago and they are a really right wing organization. It's just as easy for them to skew the data as it is for the polls to skew the data. All it takes is including more people of one political view in the data than another. If they have their boxes in more households that are conservative, it would stand to reason that Faux Noise would do better than other cable channels.

    But, it can also have to do with the levels of programming. I didn't see any cable or dish provider that had MSNBC in their basic packaging, but all have Fox there. There are a lot of people in this country who can't afford anything more, so they don't have the opportunity to watch MSNBC.


  40. backup Says:

    Bliss.

    Obama's response was very good. But, he wasn't talking just about McCain's economic policies, he seem to be talking about the whole campaign.

    Here's the quote in context:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPd4yk0x-eg&feature=related

    If you think that Westmoreland from Georgia:

    http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/05/westmoreland-uppity/

    should have known better (because of the history of the South and discrimination) and I do, you should also expect more from Obama in light of Palin's recent, well circulated comments about lipstick and a pit bull.

    The coincidence may have been innocent, but just as we expect Westmoreland to have better awareness of the situation regarding race, we should the same of Obama in regards to the campaign and Palin.

    What people like about Obama is the idea that he is above the ugly politics. I believe that he will get the support of those that appreciate the 'lipstick on a pig' as red meat, without having to resort to it. What is more important to Obama, is the support of those that might see the comment as less than above the fray.


  41. DieNowForPeace Says:

    If I remember right, gummitch’s neighborhood/community does not allow dish.

    Is it a community of cave dwellers? That sucks.

    Dishes can easily be hidden from street view, and personally, they're more attractive most things people "decorate" their homes with (potpourri wreaths anyone?)

    To me, they say "progress". It's your own satellite receiver (virtually same thing the cable company uses at your local cable companies home office to receive programming before shoving it down a little cable and sending it to your home).


  42. christopher wiwi Says:

    Hit them where it hurts Rachel, the truth hurts the Reich.


  43. 5th Estate Says:

    Oh yeah and whilst I do like Olbermann for his passion and his profundity he's also quite parsimonious and often perilously un-pithy (though he is pretty decent at "taking the piss").

    Maddow IMHO is altogether more disciplined and easier to follow. She's good at precis, well-informed and widely informed and she has a very quick mind. She's also apparently unflappable.

    She could still be undone by corporate politics but so far so good.


  44. gummitch Says:

    backup Says:

    The coincidence may have been innocent, but just as we expect Westmoreland to have better awareness of the situation regarding race, we should the same of Obama in regards to the campaign and Palin.

    Nonsense. "Lipstick on a pig" is an old, almost tired reference, right up there with "walks like a duck." I'm not surprised you'd buy into the Republican interpretation, though, since you're always busy putting lipstick on their pig.


  45. gummitch Says:

    DieNowForPeace Says:

    If I remember right, gummitch’s neighborhood/community does not allow dish.

    Is it a community of cave dwellers? That sucks.

    Not a community so much as a 1940s single-story apartment building. It's a beautiful building with well-kept grounds and I was perfectly all right with no satellite dishes, having seen a lot of apartment buildings where they are a real eyesore. Given the orientation of the building, trees, etc. there isn't any place to hide one and still get reception.


  46. shoeless Says:

    RantingTommy Says:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    shoeless Says:

    It’s good to see Rachel finally got another job after Air America went off the air.

    She is still on Air America, which is still on the air.

    No way! For years, every right-wing Republican I have encountered has assured me that Air America would never make it, and would soon be off the air!


  47. shoeless Says:

    backup Says:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ...just as we expect Westmoreland to have better awareness of the situation regarding race...

    Don't be naive. All right-wing Republican crackers in Georgia have a thorough awareness of the situation regarding race.


  48. leftzone Says:

    And who doesn't LOVE watching her utterly flummox and un-nerve the blowhard twins, Buchannan and Scarborough?


  49. 5th Estate Says:

    #35 gummitch

    So it would appear to be a 'regional' issue.

    I've actually been surprised at the quality of service from Comcast in my area--I just had a problem this weekend and a tech came out on SUNDAY to change the box. It didn't used to be like that with the first cable provider in my area, CableVision.

    I'm as aware as everyone else here of what Comcast has been up to Washington but all the available telecoms are up to much the same thing. Hopefully that will change soon.


  50. OneCitizen Says:

    Now if we could only get them to replace Morning Jerk Scarborough with Phil Donahue...


  51. And the beat goes on Says:

    gummitch Says:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I’d love to watch Rachel — if only the creeps at Comcast hadn’t bumped MSNBC out of my cable lineup. Bastids.
    **I also had to pay extra (up one package) to get MSNBC on Comcast in Sacramento. But, you can watch clips from most of her full show here:
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/

    Also, go to the podcast section and you can get full audio and video podcasts of KO!! Bet Rachel won't be too far behind.


  52. veteran Says:

    Good for Rachel!

    Question: Why is the cretinous ignorant bigot Glen Beck still on the air?


  53. kasinca Says:

    It irritates me to no end when I see the numbers for FNC but I have to realize that in many sections of the country, they do not allow choices and FNC is all they have. Reichwing whackos rule because they work the referees and cheat when possible. It is like when we do not give them something to lie about, they will make crap up to lie.


  54. LibertyLover Says:

    Congrats to Rachel!


  55. IgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:

    backup says:

    The coincidence may have been innocent, but just as we expect Westmoreland to have better awareness of the situation regarding race, we should the same of Obama in regards to the campaign and Palin.

    If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. A rose by any other name is still a rose.
    You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

    He was correct in his an@logy of not only McCain's policies but in the handling of his campaign as well. McCain is the one that has allowed his campaign to get very negative, vile and outright nasty. Obama is right to call the McCain campaign on doing so.

    And FYI, Obama DID NOT say “Sarah Palin” he said “John McCain”. Watch your own sound bite again. It's right there at the very beginning.


  56. had enough Says:

    # 51 And the beat goes on Says:

    gummitch Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    I’d love to watch Rachel — if only the creeps at Comcast hadn’t bumped MSNBC out of my cable lineup. Bastids.
    **I also had to pay extra (up one package) to get MSNBC on Comcast in Sacramento. But, you can watch clips from most of her full show here:
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/

    Also, go to the podcast section and you can get full audio and video podcasts of KO!! Bet Rachel won’t be too far behind.
    September 10th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    ---------------------------------
    Thank you for the link. I too will now be able to watch Rachael and KO ... as months ago I canceled my cable out of protest.


  57. barfly Says:

    What is more important to Obama, is the support of those that might see the comment as less than above the fray.

    Yes, we musn't upset the poor dears, after eight years of democrats staying "above the fray." Your trolling is especially weak today. Anyone who's sensibilities are offended will be in the minority view, and independents aren't so myopic as to still swallow that crap.

    Your good buddy has been in for eight years, and what have dems gotten for playing nice? A congressional approval rating at historic lows.


  58. shoeless Says:

    veteran Says:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Good for Rachel!

    Question: Why is the cretinous ignorant bigot Glen Beck still on the air?

    He appeals to the cretinous ignorant bigot demographic, otherwise known as the Republican base.


  59. Denee Says:

    I have one qualm though, it is very insignificant, but there is no music. Usually when the commentator speaks there is background music and for her its just dead air, I dont know its just so distracting and kills the show for me. I know I should be embarrassed, but I am still watching though.The pace of the show is just off.


  60. sluggo Says:

    This just highlights how badly Beck does in the ratings department. Why he remains on the air is one of the great mysteries of our time....


  61. backup Says:

    barfly. I don't think the democrats have low approval for playing nice. I suggest that it's because it appears they haven't been playing at all.


  62. Rowdy Says:

    FNC's numbers are skewed; everyone knows that. Either that or the type of folks that watch Faux Noise, haven't figured out how to change the channel.


  63. backup Says:

    And Obama can upset whomever he wants, if he doesn't care about being elected.


  64. Leftside Annie Says:

    Backup - please tell me where EXACTLY Barack Obama called Sarah Palin a pig.

    If you can't (because it NEVER HAPPENED), then shut the everlovin' flark up, you stupid ass.


  65. had enough Says:

    #
    #
    Leftside Annie Says:

    Backup - please tell me where EXACTLY Barack Obama called Sarah Palin a pig.

    This IS all they have... fabricated nonsense and made up images. That's fine.. but what I find really appalling is that too many in America are buying these fairy tales.


  66. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    backup Says:

    "... you should also expect more from Obama in light of Palin’s recent, well circulated comments about lipstick and a pit bull..."
    __________

    More of the same twisted, dishonest nonsense. My goodness, you live a fantasy land of your own making... when are you going to take those ridiculous epaulets off the smoking jackets, and those silly medals?


  67. Tim43 Says:

    An initial spike that will fade as the days go on.

    What a boring boring boring show on a less than stellar network MSNBC.

    Doesn't it embarress you that Fox alone beat CNN and MSNBC combined for that same hour?


  68. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Tim43 Says:

    An initial spike that will fade as the days go on.
    __________

    First time you've even been close to the truth, Timmeh...

    Yes, McPalin's polling numbers will whither away, the more people get a chance to see how little substance there really is there. But, there's always a chance she can become a righty talking head, and perhaps even replace Beck, whose show is BY FAR the lowest rated of them all... so sad for Glenn...

    ***sniff... sniff...***


  69. Steaming Pile Says:

    TPR Says:

    Excellent news, but I still don’t understand why KO should run and 8 and 10.

    Same reason last night's The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are repeated at 8 and 8:30. Because people miss it the last time it was on.

    I said this numerous times about ratings. Fox Noise has their segment all to themselves. Everybody else, and that includes Comedy Central, fights over the other half to two-thirds of the audience for "news". This is why your typical Fox show eats the lunch of even the best of whatever else is on.

    This was a true statement once, before Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck started monopolizing four hours of CNNHN every night. Even then, people who like Grace and Beck prefer Fox. Still, the market for non-bullshit more or less equals the market for bullshit, except the non-bullshit industry is divided into more pieces. CNN's efforts to peel off Fox viewers has failed miserably, and they really ought to stop. Give us back our half-hour news summary, PLEASE. In other words, focus on your core competencies and stop trying to compete with the Anheuser-Busch of bullshit.


  70. Beethoven Rules Says:

    I really liked her adam's apple. Reminds me of Ann Coulter don't you think.


  71. dbadass Says:

    With all due respect, those Beethoven movies suck big time


  72. Ageekymom Says:

    Way to go Rachel! Rachel is one of the most articulate, intelligent people I have ever heard on TV or radio. I'm so glad she finally has her own show. I watched Monday night and she was great!


  73. Keith Says:

    Boy, does Headline News have poor ratings! Why don't they get rid of Beck, Grace, and Showbiz?


  74. wisedup Says:

    Great news,truth RULES, money talks (ratings) and BS walks. MSM has been right wing lop sided for way to long,but who owns them....super rich republicans who try...to dictate what it the public is to believe....Hearst Newspapers tried it and failed also, but now when the truth is printed/spoken, the money follows....'It's all about the money,...right?...MSM?


  75. EugeneDebs Says:

    backup Says:

    Okay. Ware says that the 30,000 troops weren’t the main cause of the turn around in the situation in Iraq, but only ‘icing on the cake’.

    He does recognize the success as being a change in U.S. policy towards engagement with the Iraqis, that happened two years ago, before the surge.

    Okay. If we’re using Ware as a credible source, do we acknowledge that even though the additional troops may not have been significant, that there has been a successful turn around that can be attributed to a change in U.S. policy two years ago?
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Why should it the networks AND Spongebob Squarepants beat Fox like a rug. You really are a moron Timmeh


  76. Tracy__5 Says:

    The truth never has too many fans."

    BS doesn't have too many fans.


  77. Tracy__5 Says:

    "He appeals to the cretinous ignorant bigot demographic, otherwise known as the Republican base."

    So you are part of the Republican base?



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