Yaaaay, finally, a brilliant, awesome, woman is getting a news show on a major cable news network, and it has nothing to do with her looks (Paula Zahn) or her craziness (Nancy Grace) or her allegiance to the right wing (Greta Van Sustren).

Radio host and television commentator Rachel Maddow will have her own show on MSNBC starting September 8, right after the Republican convention. Her show will air at 9 p.m. following Countdown with Keith Olberman (he broke the news on daily kos today hehe)

She is possibly the first openly gay woman to host a prime-time television show, making her super awesome and probably a hell of a lot less likely to fall prey to being all glitz, cleavage, and big hair.

Maddow, 35, is a Rhodes scholar with a PhD in political science. She also has a background in activism, prison reform, and HIV/AIDS. She currently hosts The Rachel Maddow show on Air America radio, and has filled the guest chair for Olberman in the past.

photo by RachelMaddow.com