Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Rachel Maddow delivered a powerful critique of MSNBC’s recent decision to remove her colleague Joy Reid from its programming. During a broadcast on Monday night, she expressed deep concern about the network’s handling of its staff amidst reports of potential layoffs.
Maddow addressed viewers, shedding light on “changes” occurring at MSNBC. She indicated that “The Rachel Maddow Show” will shift to airing only on Mondays following President Trump’s first 100 days in office. However, this adjustment means not all prime-time hosts will continue in their roles due to the significant programming overhaul.
In her remarks, she referred to the cancellation of “The ReidOut,” which aired at 7 p.m. ET, as “very, very, very hard to take.” Maddow’s emotional response highlighted her strong admiration for Reid, saying, “I am 51 years old. I have been gainfully employed since I was 12, and throughout my career, there is no colleague for whom I have had more affection and more respect than Joy Reid.”
Maddow elaborated, stating, “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, and I understand that, but that’s what I think.”
Furthermore, Maddow underscored the troubling nature of the network cancelling shows hosted by two non-White presenters within its weekday lineup, also noting the cancellation of “The Katie Phang Show” on weekends. She indicated that “The Alex Wagner Show” will no longer take over her 9 p.m. ET slot, which will instead be occupied by “Inside with Jen Psaki.”
Maddow stated, “And that feels worse than bad, no matter who replaces them. That feels indefensible, and I do not defend it.” While acknowledging that Wagner will continue at MSNBC as a political analyst, she did not discuss that Reid’s time slot will be filled by Symone Sanders-Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, all seasoned co-hosts of a weekend program.
Interestingly, Maddow noted that many at MSNBC do not share her job security, revealing her significant contract with the network that allegedly guarantees a $25 million salary. Nonetheless, she passionately advocated for her fellow staffers who are dealing with immense uncertainty as cutbacks loom.
She stated, “Dozens of producers and staffers, including some of the most experienced and talented producers in the building, are facing being laid off, they’re being invited to reapply for new jobs.” This situation marks a historic shift for the network regarding programming changes and raises serious questions about the treatment of its employees.
Maddow emphasized that such a process is contrary to standard practice at MSNBC, adding, “This has never happened at this scale in this way before, and presumably because it’s not the right way to treat people. It is inefficient and unnecessary, dropping the bottom out of whether folks feel good about working here.”
She continued, noting the pervasive anxiety among staff as they navigate this unsettling phase, saying, “Maybe all of our folks, including most of the people who are getting this very show on the air right now, will all get new jobs here. But in the meantime, being in this limbo – the anxiety and discombobulation is off the charts.”
Maddow also addressed broader concerns regarding press freedom at a time when the media landscape faces numerous challenges. She acknowledged, “It’s not news for me to tell you that the press and freedom of the press are under attack in a way that is really a big deal for our country.” She reflected on the emotional toll this takes on journalists, stating, “What pains us the most is not what happens to us, but what happens to our coworkers on whom we depend, and who you don’t necessarily know, but we respect and love them, and I did I mention we respect them?”
In her commentary, Maddow emphasized the need for improvement when it comes to providing support for colleagues. She said, “Finding good people, good colleagues, doing good work with them, and then having their back. That we can do a lot better on. A lot better.”
Maddow’s remarks resonate, especially considering her history of challenging the network’s decisions. Last year, she vocally opposed NBC’s choice to hire former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, a decision that was quickly reversed after widespread backlash.
Additionally, in 2019, she confronted NBC about its handling of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which saw reporter Ronan Farrow pushed to publish his explosive findings with The New Yorker after facing internal resistance. Maddow has consistently used her platform to advocate for journalistic integrity and employee welfare.
As the landscape at MSNBC shifts, the future of the network remains uncertain. NBCUniversal plans to spin off MSNBC and several sister channels later this year. At the same time, the network is contending with declining ratings and significant changes without capturing increased viewer engagement.
Maddow’s recent statements underscore the critical need for networks to support their talent and staff, particularly during tumultuous times in the media industry. The conversation around media accountability and employee treatment has never been more pressing.
