Career Timeline of Rachel Maddow: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Rachel Maddow built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Rachel Maddow is an American television news program host and liberal political commentator. She is best known for hosting *The Rachel Maddow Show* on MSNBC, where she also serves as a special event co-anchor. Previously, she hosted a syndicated talk radio program of the same name on Air America Radio from 2005 to 2010. Maddow's work is characterized by her progressive political views and insightful analysis of current events.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1999: First Radio Job at WRNX

In 1999, Rachel Maddow began her career as a radio host at WRNX in Holyoke, Massachusetts, co-hosting "The Dave in the Morning Show" after winning a contest.

2001: Doctor of Philosophy

In 2001, Rachel Maddow earned a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in politics from the University of Oxford with a thesis titled "HIV/AIDS and Health Care Reform in British and American Prisons".

2004: Joins Air America

In 2004, Rachel Maddow left WRSI to join the new Air America radio network.

March 2005: Cancellation of Unfiltered

In March 2005, the radio show "Unfiltered", which Rachel Maddow co-hosted with Chuck D and Lizz Winstead, was cancelled.

April 2005: The Rachel Maddow Show Begins

In April 2005, two weeks after the cancellation of Unfiltered, Rachel Maddow's weekday radio program, "The Rachel Maddow Show", began airing.

June 2005: Regular Panelist on Tucker

In June 2005, Rachel Maddow became a regular panelist on the MSNBC show Tucker, hosted by Tucker Carlson.

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2005: The Rachel Maddow Show on Air America Radio

In 2005, Rachel Maddow began hosting "The Rachel Maddow Show", a syndicated talk radio program on Air America Radio.

November 2006: Guest on Paula Zahn Now

During and after the November 2006 election, Rachel Maddow was a guest on CNN's Paula Zahn Now; she was also a correspondent for The Advocate Newsmagazine.

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January 2008: MSNBC Political Analyst

In January 2008, Rachel Maddow became an MSNBC political analyst and a regular panelist on MSNBC's Race for the White House with David Gregory.

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March 2008: The Rachel Maddow Show Gains a Third Hour

In March 2008, "The Rachel Maddow Show" gained a third hour, broadcasting from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

July 2008: Substitute Host for Countdown

In July 2008, Rachel Maddow filled in as the substitute host for Countdown with Keith Olbermann and also filled in for David Gregory as host of Race for the White House.

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August 2008: The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC Announced

In August 2008, MSNBC announced that "The Rachel Maddow Show" would replace Verdict with Dan Abrams in the network's 9:00 p.m. slot the following month, making Maddow the first openly gay or lesbian host of a primetime news program in the United States.

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2009: The Rachel Maddow Show Moved to a One-Hour Timeslot

In 2009, after renewing her contract with Air America, Rachel Maddow's radio show was moved to a one-hour timeslot at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

January 2010: Maddow interviews Tracey Ullman on her show

In January 2010, Rachel Maddow invited Tracey Ullman, who played Maddow in her Showtime comedy series Tracey Ullman's State of the Union, on her show and interviewed her.

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January 21, 2010: End of The Rachel Maddow Show on Air America

On January 21, 2010, Rachel Maddow's radio show ended when Air America ceased operations.

March 2010: Maddow writes introduction to Batwoman: Elegy

In March 2010, Rachel Maddow wrote the introduction to the Batwoman: Elegy trade paperback, noting her appreciation for the work of writer Greg Rucka.

Batwoman: Elegy

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2010: End of The Rachel Maddow Show on Air America Radio

In 2010, "The Rachel Maddow Show" on Air America Radio ended its run after five years.

2012: Publication of Drift

In 2012, Rachel Maddow wrote "Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power", which reached the first position on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover nonfiction.

Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power

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November 3, 2013: Maddow appears as a character on The Simpsons

On November 3, 2013, Rachel Maddow appeared as a character on The Simpsons episode "Four Regrettings and a Funeral".

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December 2013: Opinion Columnist for The Washington Post

In December 2013, The Washington Post announced that Rachel Maddow would write a monthly opinion column for the paper, contributing one article per month over a period of six months.

May 2017: The Rachel Maddow Show Reaches No. 1

In mid-May 2017, amidst controversies surrounding the Trump administration, MSNBC surpassed CNN and Fox News in ratings, and "The Rachel Maddow Show" was the No. 1 non-sports program on cable for the first time.

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March 2, 2018: New York Times Crossword Puzzle

On March 2, 2018, The New York Times published Rachel Maddow's first crossword puzzle, in collaboration with Joe DiPietro.

October 2018: Bag Man Podcast Launch

In October 2018, Rachel Maddow launched the podcast "Bag Man", produced with MSNBC, focusing on the 1973 political scandal surrounding Vice President Spiro Agnew.

October 2019: Publication of Blowout

In October 2019, Rachel Maddow's second book, "Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth", was published.

Summary and Analysis of Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth: A Companion to The Book by Rachel Maddow

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December 2020: Publication of Bag Man

In December 2020, Rachel Maddow's third book, "Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House", written with Michael Yarvitz, was published.

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House

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March 2021: Grammy Award for Blowout Audiobook

In March 2021, the audiobook version of Rachel Maddow's book "Blowout", recorded by Maddow, won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

2021: Advocacy of Vaccination

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Rachel Maddow was an outspoken advocate of vaccination, encouraging people to get vaccinated for the benefit of themselves and others.

April 2022: Hiatus from The Rachel Maddow Show

In April 2022, Rachel Maddow took a hiatus from her show to coincide with production on the film adaptation of Bag Man.

May 2022: The Rachel Maddow Show Moves to Weekly Broadcast

As of May 2022, "The Rachel Maddow Show" has moved to a weekly broadcast on Mondays.

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October 2022: Launch of Ultra Podcast

In October 2022, Rachel Maddow and MSNBC launched "Ultra", a podcast series chronicling U.S. right-wing extremism during the 1940s and World War II, including the 1944 sedition trial.

2022: Film Adaptation of Bag Man

In 2022, a film adaptation of the podcast "Bag Man" was announced to be in production, with Ben Stiller attached to direct and Lorne Michaels to produce, and with Rachel Maddow as an executive producer.