MSNBC executives are reportedly scrambling to figure out what they’ll do if host Rachel Maddow doesn’t renew her contract next year.
The out anchor dominated the primetime news shows, often carrying the network to the top spot over rivals CNN and Fox News.
Related: Rachel Maddow gives ominous warning about what the GOP will do next
Maddow has hosted her eponymous show since 2008. Her draw has always been her in-depth nuanced reporting as versus the competition’s tendency to rely on guests and talking heads to discuss current events.
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She rose to the top during the Trump administration when she eschewed covering and repeating the former president’s incendiary remarks in favor of examining what the administration was actually doing while Trump distracted everyone.
But Maddow has also stretched herself thin, with multiple books, podcasts and special coverage. She’s previously expressed desire to spend more time with her wife. The two women live in Massachusetts and Maddow commutes to work every day in New York City.
According to the Daily Beast, it isn’t likely that Maddow would jump to another network. Instead, she’d expand her reach into online media, specials, and podcasts.
“Nothing has been decided,” Mark Shapiro, one of her new agents, told the outlet. “We are deep into it with NBCUniversal and Rachel has an excellent relationship with them.”
Autostraddle editor Carmen Phillips may have best summed up the panic felt by the queer community at the idea of losing one of our most visible icons.
“On one hand, of course I want whatever is best for Rachel,” she wrote, “on the other hand if this comes to pass — what will I do without my nightly nerdsbian content?”
MSNBC needs to get its head out of its ass and offer Rachel Maddow anything she wants to extend her contract. This isn't complicated.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 12, 2021
I think there should be a campaign to get maddow to replace psaki when she steps down
— antiGQP (@tigger1972) August 13, 2021
I’ll tell @MSNBC right now, if they let Rachel Maddow go without giving her exactly what she wants to extend her contract yet keep giving Chuck Todd what he wants for his propaganda, I’ll never watch them again. This isn’t a hard decision. Fire him and keep your best.
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) August 13, 2021
I appreciate Dr. Rachel Maddow, and I will always tune in, watch and listen to whatever platform she is on.
— Gbp (@gbpfan7) August 13, 2021
Sounds like she’s feeling a bit burned out by the nightly format grind. I often watch her and think ‘how does she keep this level of energy and excellence up night after night?’
— The Sun Also Rises (@HRepeating) August 13, 2021
Note to Rachel Maddow @maddow – I left Wall Street when I was 40, at the apex of my career. I wouldn't change that decision for anything. Life is precious, and sometimes suddenly short – you don't get these years back. https://t.co/vOuYLpNUpX
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) August 12, 2021
