Question of the Day | 07/12/2009 11:00 pm

What woman or women do you consider to be the media's rising stars, and why?

Lesley Stahl, Candice Bergen, Marlo Thomas, Liz Smith and Joan Ganz Cooney on who they would hail as the upcoming queens of the fourth estate. ForbesWoman recently released their list of the most influential women in media. Click here to see who made the cut.

Marlo Thomas | 07/13/2009 12:00 am

Marlo Thomas's Preference Over Those 'Screaming Boys'

By rising star you don’t mean any of our all-time faves like Diane, Katie, Christiane, Cynthia and Lesley. If you mean new – I like Rachel Maddow because I always learn a little something when I watch her, as opposed to most of the screaming boys. And she’s so sassy. And I like Campbell Brown. She knows her stuff and she does it all with a great amount of charm and ease. They’re both here to stay.

5 Comments

Liz Smith | 07/12/2009 11:00 pm

Liz Smith on the Women in Media Who've Made an 'Impact'

I have all I can do to keep up with the wOw rising stars, some of whom have already risen – the admired Lesley Stahl, Whoopi Goldberg and Cynthia McFadden. I admire Christiane Amanpour and my old friends Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric. When some rising star makes an impact on me, you’ll know it. Right now I am struggling to remember their names.

4 Comments

Lesley Stahl | 07/12/2009 11:00 pm

Lesley Stahl Names Her Favorite Female Newsers

It’s more and more difficult for anyone in the TV news business to make a name for herself (or himself) because audiences are shriveling, and there are so many choices of outlets (cable and otherwise). When I started at CBS News, there were only three. Still, there seem to be as many impressive young women on the air as men … which warms the heart! I’m a big fan of Mika Brzezinski on "Morning Joe." She’s become one of the "guys" on hard news subjects. I’m impressed with Maria Bartiromo and Erin Burnett at CNBC, and Kimberly Dozier at CBS. ‘Course, I still love the been-around-for-a-while types – like Diane Sawyer!

24 Comments

Joan Ganz Cooney | 07/12/2009 11:00 pm

Joan Ganz Cooney on Erin Burnett's Appeal

Erin Burnett on CNBC and MSNBC is the most appealing young reporter I’ve seen in a while.

0 Comments

Candice Bergen | 07/12/2009 11:00 pm

Candice Bergen: 'Rachel Maddow Is the Smart Chick du Jour'

Rachel Maddow is the Smart Chick du Jour but here to stay. A total Star.

ForbesWoman recently released their list of the most influential women in media. Click here to see who made the cut.

12 Comments

Read more about: Documentary, Entertainment, Media, Radio, Television, women

32 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Right with you, James! Keith grates on my nerves (that is, what’s left of them in these stressful days!) Maddow can release a zinger with the best of them, but the woman has some smarts, and never seems to go for a cheap shot. The whole "cheap shot" issue seems to characterize what passes for "commentary" lately, doesn’t it? It has become much easier for the so-called pundits to look for the lowest, easiest sound bite rather than doing some real work to explore the issue. Long live Rachel, though. She’s a gem. Have a super day!

By Susan Crawford on 07/14/2009 8:47 am

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Ditto for Rachel. She’s a total grin and knowledgeable. But I expect to see my favorites… Lesley, Diane, Anne, Diane, Campbell, Katie… around for a long time.

By Maggie W on 07/13/2009 9:19 am

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Definitely Rachel Maddow — she’s bright, witty, and articulate.

By MK P on 07/13/2009 9:52 am

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Greta.

By Star Lawrence on 07/13/2009 11:16 am

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Definitely Greta. So good to hear something from the other side.

By Lady Gator on 07/13/2009 2:43 pm

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Christiane Amanpour and Rachel Maddow.

By alice ruth on 07/13/2009 11:17 am

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I second the motion :)

By Dora M on 07/13/2009 12:00 pm

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Amy Goodman.

By Livia Jones on 07/13/2009 12:47 pm

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Rachel is fun to watch but I had to chuckle with one comment here that called her balanced. She does a very good job presenting the left side of things but unfortunately in this partisan world you now have to watch two sources to feel you have the whole story. Greta does a great job on the other side.

By judith k on 07/13/2009 1:09 pm

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Grate usually has both sides—and does original reporting…

By Star Lawrence on 07/13/2009 2:48 pm

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No, "Grate" was not a Freudian slip! It was a "durn this eye."

By Star Lawrence on 07/13/2009 2:49 pm

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Judith: I was the one who called her balanced. She has some real differences with Obama about a number of things and voices those vociferously. She also has people on that have a different perspective than she may have and she listens to their viewpoint. I call that balanced. I also her call her more of a liberal centrist.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/13/2009 5:46 pm

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I think you are right. Greta does attempt to show both sides. What I meant was that Rachel is entertaining, but there is no attempt to even pretend to be balanced. You can be entertained by her, but if you want the whole story you need to follow up with the rest of the story and listen to others.

By judith k on 07/13/2009 3:13 pm

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Angelina Jolie.

I find her to be so mysterious and incredible. her image drew me in, a young woman with tattoos and sexual openness. her acting ability kept me watching, and the amazing roles she picked had me coming back for more.

now that she has gotten older, she has calmed down in a sense, and her big heart really was opened by adopting her children, working for international programs, and genuinely trying to make life better for those she comes into contact with.

By Amanda C on 07/13/2009 6:34 pm