Rachel Maddow Criticizes MSNBC Over Handling Of Show Cancellations And Says It Was A “Bad Mistake” To Let Joy Reid Go

Rachel Maddow criticized MSNBC for its cancellation of Joy Reid‘s show, telling viewers that it was a “bad mistake” that her network bosses let her go.

Maddow also noted that the network was dropping the two non-white anchors in primetime, with Alex Wagner also losing her show in addition to Reid.

“In all of the jobs I have had in all of the years I have been alove, there is no colleague for whom I have had more affection and more respect that Joy Reid,” Maddow told viewers. “I love everything about her. I have learned so much from her. … I do not want to lose her as a colleague here at MSNBC, and personally, I think it is a bad mistake to let her walk out the door. It is not my call. I understand that. But that’s what I think.”

She also said it was “unnerving that “both of our non white hosts in primetime are losing thier shows, as it Katie Phang on the weekend.”

Maddow said that “feels worse than bad, no matter who replaces them. That feels indefensible, and I do not defend it.”

Maddow went on to criticize the way that the show cancellations were handled, with off-air staffers “being put through the ringer” being laid off.

“They’re being invited to reapply for new jobs. That has never happened at this scale in this way before when it comes to programming changes, presumably because it is not the right way to treat people. And it’s inefficient and it’s unnecessary.”

Reid show is being replaced by a program hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend and Michael Steele, who are Black, and Alicia Menendez, a Latina.

Maddow appeared earlier in the evening on Reid’s final show, telling her that she was “bereft” that the show was ending.