Some of MSNBC’s biggest stars are – in extraordinary on-air fashion – rebuking management’s decision to cancel Joy Reid and Alex Wagner’s shows and lay off their production staffs.

Rachel Maddow used her MSNBC show to criticize the network for firing her colleague. Joy Reid's exit is one of several changes announced this week at the network.

Along with Reid, the MSNBC shake-up saw anchor Alex Wagner, who hosts weeknights outside Maddow’s Monday night slot, demoted to contributor. The move came shortly after Rebecca Kutler, a former CNN senior executive, was named MSNBC’s new president.