Q&A with Visiting Associate Professor Amy Kapczynski ’03
About Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow hosts MSNBC’s primetime hit, the critically acclaimed “The Rachel Maddow Show.” “The Rachel Maddow Show” features Maddow’s take on the biggest stories of the day, political and otherwise, including lively debate with guests from all sides of the issues, in-depth analysis and stories no other shows in cable news will cover.
“The Rachel Maddow Show” debuted in September 2008 and was the most successful show launch in MSNBC history, immediately boosting ratings in its time period. “The Rachel Maddow Show” was named one of the top shows of the decade by the Washington Post in 2009. Maddow was also named a “Breakout Star of 2008” by The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times named her to the “Best of Television 2008” and she was named one of the “Top Ten Political Newcomers of 2008” by Politico.com.
“The Rachel Maddow Show” has been nominated by the Television Critics Association for “Outstanding Achievement in News and Information” and TRMS received a GLAAD award in 2010. Maddow was honored by the Interfaith Alliance with the 2010 Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom award and her MSNBC documentary “The Assassination of Dr. Tiller” won a Gracie award in 2011.
Maddow was named MSNBC political analyst in January of 2008. She first gained national prominence as a host on Air America Radio, where she worked from its inception in 2004. Prior to joining AAR, she worked for WRNX in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and WRSI in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Maddow received a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University. She earned her doctorate in political science at Oxford University, which she attended on a Rhodes Scholarship. She lives in New York City and Massachusetts with her partner, artist Susan Mikula.