AGE: 35
OCCUPATION: MSNBC host
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0
PRO: Her culturally dexterous, agreeably cerebral Rachel Maddow Show was an instant ratings magnet for MSNBC, at times besting established yakkers like Larry King and Sean Hannity. She's even managed to charm Pat Buchanan, which is a pretty big feat for an openly gay, hard-left whippersnapper.
CON: The hallway banter with Keith Olbermann must be exhausting.