(Fwrd Axis) — MSNBC host Rachel Maddow announced on Monday she is taking a weeks-long hiatus from her show to focus on a new podcast and feature film for NBCUniversal.
Maddow’s final show before the hiatus will be on Friday and a series of guest hosts will fill in for her during her break, which will last for “several weeks.” Maddow will only return for major breaking news events, like coverage of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on March 1.
“Change is good,” she said on Monday’s broadcast. “Change is absolutely terrifying, but in this case it’s good.”
Maddow broadcasted from home in no makeup after being exposed to someone with Covid-19. She said she texted negative but is self-isolating out of precaution.
She told viewers she’s going to help out with the movie of “Bag Man” on former President Richard Nixon’s disgraced vice president, which will be directed by Ben Stiller.
Business Insider first reported the news of Maddow’s hiatus.
“I am super excited to tell you about it when I have more to tell,” said Maddow.
The 48-year-old signed a new multi-year deal with NBCUniversal last year that included developing new projects across the company. There were reports of Maddow wanting to scale back her weekly show but insiders say she will return to a regular schedule once her hiatus ends in April.
“There may eventually be another hiatus again sometime in my future, but we are just taking it one step at a time,” she added.
The news comes as MSNBC is going through several network changes. Brian Williams departed NBC after 28 years at the network despite his show, “The 11th Hour” being one of the top-rated broadcasts. It was recently announced Stephanie Ruhle will replace him as the host of the show.
Story updated with more information after Maddow’s broadcast.
