Rachel Maddow
Continues Ratings Lead Over Larry King

In its second week on the air, Rachel Maddow's new MSNBC continued to show a slight lead over Larry King Live in total viewers. The Rachel Maddow Show has marked a huge jump from MSNBC's third-quarter ratings average, Television Week reported.

In its second week The Rachel Maddow Show averaged 1.72 million viewers to Larry King's 1.68 million. Both shows were bested by Hannity & Colmes on Fox News, which averaged 3.59 million viewers.

The report suggests Hannity received a huge boost last week thanks to an interview with vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Prior to Maddow's debut, MSNBC had been averaging just under 1 million viewers for the third quarter. Maddow's popularity may be sending a message to right-wingers who promised to boycott MSNBC for hiring the gay political pundit. (The Advocate)