Rachel Maddow criticizes MSNBC’s decision to let Joy Reid leave, citing diversity losses and staff turmoil amid prime-time shakeups.
Why Is Rachel Maddow Speaking Out About Joy Reid’s MSNBC Exit?
Rachel Maddow opened up about Joy Reid’s sudden departure from MSNBC, calling it “very, very hard to take.”
The longtime host praised Reid as a colleague she “loves” and admires, emphasizing that losing her—and other non-white prime-time hosts like Alex Wagner and Katie Phang—feels “indefensible.”
Maddow criticized the network’s decision, arguing it undermines diversity and talent retention.
How Are MSNBC’s Prime-Time Changes Impacting Diversity?
Maddow highlighted a troubling pattern: the exit of Reid, Wagner, and Phang (who will stay as legal correspondent) leaves MSNBC without non-white hosts in key prime-time slots.
The new 7 p.m. ET show, hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, will make Menendez the first Latina in MSNBC’s weekday prime time.
But Maddow called the shift “worse than bad,” stressing that diversity shouldn’t be a casualty of programming shakeups.
What’s Behind the “Anxiety and Discombobulation” at MSNBC?
Maddow criticized the network’s approach to staffing changes, calling it “inefficient” and “unnecessary.”
She noted colleagues are being forced to reapply for jobs amid layoffs, creating “limbo” and stress.
While assuring viewers the new lineup will deliver, she acknowledged the toll on employees: “This job is already stressful enough without this chaos.”
How Does Lester Holt’s Exit Tie Into the Broader NBC Shakeup?
Reid’s departure followed Lester Holt’s announcement that he’ll leave NBC Nightly News after a decade.
Maddow didn’t address Holt directly but framed the changes as part of a larger, unsettling trend.
The overlapping exits have fueled speculation about NBCUniversal’s strategy amid declining ratings and shifting media landscapes.
Will MSNBC’s New Ensemble Format Succeed?
The 7 p.m. slot will now feature rotating hosts, including Weekend team members transitioning to weekdays.
Maddow remained cautiously optimistic, urging viewers to stay tuned—but her frustration was clear.
“No matter who replaces them, this feels wrong,” she said, questioning whether the network’s moves align with its values.
Quick Facts
- Joy Reid’s Last Episode: Reid hosted her final The ReidOut on Feb. 24, 2025.
- New Host Lineup: Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez will co-anchor the 7 p.m. slot.
- Diversity Concerns: Maddow called the loss of non-white prime-time hosts “indefensible.”
- Staff Anxiety: Employees face reapplication stress amid layoffs and programming overhauls.
- Lester Holt’s Exit: His NBC Nightly News departure adds to network uncertainty.