WATCH: Rachel Maddow Gets Punchy Over Owls and Bears

@ 2026 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All rights reserved

WATCH: Rachel Maddow Gets Punchy Over Owls and Bears
The out MSNBC anchor seemed to be enjoying herself on Thursday night.
 Lucas Grindley
          
          Feb 06, 2015
          
        
Lucas Grindley
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
 See Full Bio 
                  Follow:
                  
The top story on any Rachel Maddow broadcast is often a thinky, wonk-laden affair. But this Thursday Maddow was downright punchy.
 
At one point, a man in a Green Bay Packers superhero outfit makes a cameo via photo, then a CGI-generated owl perches on her desk. And amid all of it, Maddow provides an explainer for the general public on just what a "bear" is in the gay community. 
 
See what brought all of this on and enjoy a moment of glee with Maddow in the video below:

        
        FROM OUR SPONSORS
        
    

        
        The Latest
        
    
News
        Don Lemon wants queer people to stand up to bullies: ‘Punch them in the nose’
    The notable journalist isn't backing down to the current administration.
Ricky Cornish
News
        'Heated Rivalry's meteoric rise blamed for anti-LGBTQ+ bullying on high school hockey teams
    A civil rights group claims that backlash to the show's popularity has caused an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate from fellow players and coaches. 
Ariel Messman-Rucker
National
        Virginia Republican names bill for swimmer whose fifth-place tie with trans athlete launched lucrative career
    Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
Christopher Wiggins
States
        New Hampshire House advances transgender bathroom bill, breaking with New England
    The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.
Christopher Wiggins

        
        More For You
        
        Former Out and Advocate editor-in-chief takes the helm at LGBTQ+ youth arts organization
    
Christopher Wiggins
Mar 04, 2026
David Artavia has been named the Future Perfect Project's new executive director.

        Luke Fontana
    
        At a time when LGBTQ+ organizations are being forced to reckon with both political hostility and long-term sustainability, The Future Perfect Project has bet on journalism. The national arts initiative announced Wednesday that David Artavia, a veteran reporter with experience writing for Out and The Advocate, and one of the more recognizable and highly respected names in LGBTQ+ media over the past decade, will serve as its new executive director. Keep Reading →

        Donald Trump accepts Correspondents’ Dinner invitation, declaring himself 'one of the greatest presidents’
    
Christopher Wiggins
Mar 03, 2026
President Donald Trump said he will attend the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

         Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images
    
        President Donald Trump announced Monday that he plans to attend this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an event he boycotted throughout his entire first term and in the first year of his second term, while regularly dismissing the press as “fake news” and the “enemy of the people.” It would mark his first appearance at the dinner as a sitting president. Keep Reading →

        Rachel Maddow urges Americans to consider ‘Who benefits?’ from Trump’s war with Iran
    
Christopher Wiggins
Mar 01, 2026
MS NOW host Rachel Maddow anchored special coverage of the U.S. strikes on Iran.

        MS NOW/YouTube
    
        On Saturday afternoon, as reports of U.S. airstrikes rippled out of Tehran and other Iranian cities, MS NOW anchor Rachel Maddow opened continuing special coverage on the network with a lengthy monologue in which she indicted President Donald Trump’s motives. Keep Reading →

        Demi Lovato & Jonathan Bennett will headline a star-studded lineup for the 37th GLAAD Media Awards
    
Christopher Wiggins
Feb 23, 2026
Demi Lovato performs onstage during TikTok LIVE Fest 2026 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on February 12, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

        Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for TikTok
    
        Global pop star Demi Lovato will perform at the 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 5 in Los Angeles, with actor and producer Jonathan Bennett returning to host a ceremony that will stream exclusively on Hulu later this month, GLAAD announced Monday. The event will spotlight LGBTQ+ representation across film, television, music, and journalism. The Advocate, along with its sister publication, Out, is among the nominees for Outstanding Magazine. Keep Reading →

        Defiant Don Lemon says ‘the process is the punishment’ after lawyers reveal feds took his phone
    
Christopher Wiggins
Feb 13, 2026
Journalist Don Lemon speaks with media gathered after an arraignment hearing at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on February 13, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

        Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
    
        Updated: Don Lemon faces judge who rejected DOJ’s previous attempt to charge him with a crime Keep Reading →

        Most Popular
        
States
        Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse
    Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.
Jack Walker
National
        Republicans rage after Trump appears to soften stance on trans care
    On Truth Social, the president appeared to leave the door open to kids getting gender-affirming care with "express written approval of the parents."
Christopher Wiggins
Opinion
        Kristi Noem is a cautionary tale for white gay Republicans
    Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.
Josh Ackley
Arts & Entertainment
        10 of the sexiest music videos that gagged everyone in 2025
    These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.
Ricky Cornish
Politics
        Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes
    These are some of his worst comments about LGBTQ+ people made by Charlie Kirk.
Ryan Adamczeski
Crime
        Many alleged suicides of Black trans women are in fact modern-day lynchings, report finds
    Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.
Christopher Wiggins

Site Navigation

WATCH: Rachel Maddow Gets Punchy Over Owls and Bears

The out MSNBC anchor seemed to be enjoying herself on Thursday night.

The Latest

Don Lemon wants queer people to stand up to bullies: ‘Punch them in the nose’

The notable journalist isn't backing down to the current administration.

'Heated Rivalry's meteoric rise blamed for anti-LGBTQ+ bullying on high school hockey teams

A civil rights group claims that backlash to the show's popularity has caused an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate from fellow players and coaches.

Virginia Republican names bill for swimmer whose fifth-place tie with trans athlete launched lucrative career

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

New Hampshire House advances transgender bathroom bill, breaking with New England

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

104 Images Both Polished and Raw by Jeremy Lucido From Starrf**ker

90 Photos to Celebrate the Return of Physique Pictorial

Joe Rogan admits straight men are the real danger to women — then blames trans women anyway

Was John Lennon gay? Paul McCartney discussed bandmate’s sexuality rumors in unearthed interview

Outraged Ben Shapiro says Candace Owens documentary labels Erika Kirk a ‘lesbian pedophile’

More For You

Former Out and Advocate editor-in-chief takes the helm at LGBTQ+ youth arts organization

Donald Trump accepts Correspondents’ Dinner invitation, declaring himself 'one of the greatest presidents’

Rachel Maddow urges Americans to consider ‘Who benefits?’ from Trump’s war with Iran

Demi Lovato & Jonathan Bennett will headline a star-studded lineup for the 37th GLAAD Media Awards

Defiant Don Lemon says ‘the process is the punishment’ after lawyers reveal feds took his phone

Most Popular

Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

Kristi Noem is a cautionary tale for white gay Republicans

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

10 of the sexiest music videos that gagged everyone in 2025

These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.

Many alleged suicides of Black trans women are in fact modern-day lynchings, report finds

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

Latest Stories

Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week.

WATCH: Rachel Maddow Gets Punchy Over Owls and Bears

The out MSNBC anchor seemed to be enjoying herself on Thursday night.

FROM OUR SPONSORS

The Latest

The notable journalist isn't backing down to the current administration.

A civil rights group claims that backlash to the show's popularity has caused an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ hate from fellow players and coaches.

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

More For You

Most Popular

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

On Truth Social, the president appeared to leave the door open to kids getting gender-affirming care with "express written approval of the parents."

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.

These are some of his worst comments about LGBTQ+ people made by Charlie Kirk.

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.