Rachel Maddow.Photo: Art Streiber/MSNBC
Rachel Maddowis taking some time away from hosting her nightly series on MSNBC.
On Monday, Maddow, 48, announced onThe Rachel Maddow Showthat she would be taking a few weeks off of work while she focuses on some outside projects.
Among her upcoming projects, the famed anchor is set to serve as an executive producer on aBen Stiller-directed film based on her book and podcast,Bag Man. She is also gearing up to launch a new podcast.
“Ben Stiller is going to direct it. He’s incredible,” Maddow said on Monday’s broadcast, filmed from her home studio. “One of the producers of the film is Lorne Michaels — yes, that Lorne Michaels. This has been in the works for a while now. But it looks like it’s gonna happen. I am super excited about it.”
Maddow confirmed that she’ll remain on her show through this Thursday and then will be taking a few weeks off. The anchor said she plans to return to the show in April, and will still appear in the network’s special event coverage, including for the upcoming State of the Union address on March 1.
Heidi Gutman/MSNBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
“As you can tell, I’m nervous about all this as a change in my life, but it’s all for the good,” she said. “I’m not really going anywhere… I will be back doing the show again before you’ll even miss me.”
In addition to Maddow’s hiatus, the famed anchor revealed that she was broadcasting from her home studio after having a “recent COVID exposure” from “somebody who was symptomatic and positive.”
“I’m vaccinated and boosted. I have tested negative so far but I was definitely exposed… so that means I cannot go to the studio and risk infecting any of my beloved co-workers or anybody else in that space,” she explained. “I’m just trying to do my part to make sure I don’t put anybody else at risk.”
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Maddow has been hosting her eponymous series since 2008. The political news program is based on her former radio show of the same name. Over the years, she has faced criticism from conservatives for her liberal political stance.
“Bring it. Your hatred makes me stronger,” she toldThe Guardianin 2020 of her opposers. “Come on. Give me more. Give me more. I love it!”
Maddow has been in a relationship with partnerSusan Mikulasince 1999. Previously, she toldOprah.comthat Mikula, 63, is her “best” reason to be happy.
“I’m alone a couple of days a week while I’m working in New York, but I haven’t felt alone in the world — I haven’t felt lonely — in the 13 years since I laid eyes on her,” she said.
Last year, Maddow said onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showshe’s “lucky” to have “the world’s greatest relationship.”
“I’m totally in love,” she added. “She’s the most important thing in my life.”
The Rachel Maddow Showairs weeknights at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC.
source: people.com
