Joy Reid named host of new MSNBC weeknight show

MSNBC weekend host Joy Reid has officially been moved to the network’s 7 p.m. weekday slot that was formerly held by Chris Matthews. 

Reid will host a new weekday show named “The ReidOut,” the network announced Thursday. Reid, 51, currently hosts “AM Joy,” which runs on weekends, but also frequently appears as a guest host or for appearances on MSNBC throughout the week.

“The ReidOut” will be based in Washington, D.C., and focus on political and national news coverage. The move places Reid among the few Black women to anchor a U.S. evening news program.

“I’m eager to carry that same energy into the 7 p.m. hour where we can continue to build on bringing in diverse, smart, and accomplished voices to the table on topics that are important to our viewers,” Reid said in a statement. 

MSNBC’s 7 p.m. slot has been occupied by a series of rotating hosts for more than three months since Matthews, 74, resigned after sexual harassment allegations, which he called “highly justified.” Reid has been speculated to be a front-runner for the slot. 

Reid was at the center of her own controversy two years ago and apologized for homophobic remarks she made on her now-defunct blog, “The Reid Report.”

In a lengthy apology at that time, Reid said, “There are things I deeply regret and am embarrassed by, things I would have said differently and issues where my position has changed.”