THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW
MSNBC, 9:00 p.m. ET
Stephen Colbert, introducing MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow on a recent appearance on his CBS Late Show, described her as “America’s premier explainer,” which is a perfect unofficial title for what she does on her nightly cable show. Politically, she falls left of center – but academically, she constructs and deconstructs the day’s events as a born, stellar teacher, in ways so clear and incisive, I find her the best single source of breaking news analysis on television right now. Better than anyone on broadcast TV, or any of the cable networks. For the most part, wherever I write or speak, I try to avoid being political in my TV criticism and recommendations – but this is a time when straight, reliable information is elusive and invaluable, and, in my opinion, it can be found here. And, on the radio, I say with pride, on the NPR show with which I am sometimes associated, Fresh Air with Terry Gross.