The Washington Post's Tom Shales has named two MSNBC shows to his tops list this year — the only news channel, or news division for that matter, to make his list.

MSNBC's Morning Joe is Shales' #4 Best New Program of 2008, despite the fact it actually premiered last year. (#1 - #3 are HBO programs.)

"Morning Joe" came on the air in 2007, but in its first full year it has blossomed as a provocative, alternate-universe newstalk show -- anchored by Joe Scarborough but energized by the brilliantly versatile co-host Mika Brzezinski (daughter of Zbigniew).

Shales also names MSNBC's Rachel Maddow as his #1 Breakout Performer of 2008.

The biggest splash made on cable this year was by Rachel Maddow, whose rise has been breathtakingly fast and whose nightly talk hour on MSNBC has been known to beat the long-dominant Larry King on CNN among the desirable set of 25-to-54-year-olds.

Earlier on TVNewser:
• Video: Interview with Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski at the RNC...
• Live Chat: Rachel Maddow at the RNC...

(image cred)