MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow spoke to Access Hollywood about the death of Roger Ailes, where she said it was a “shock” for her because she considered the former Fox News chairman as a “friend” and a “mentor” to her.

Speaking with Natalie Morales and Kit Hoover, Maddow said that she had a “collegial friendship” with Ailes ever since she asked him to review her performances on TV. Maddow acknowledged that Ailes’ sexual harassment scandals were a “huge deal”, but she went on to say that it was undeniable that Ailes had a major impact on the cable news business before he was fired from his network.

“The reason that he left is dire stuff,” Maddow said. “But this corner of the news business, I think it’s worth noting, really, was created by Ailes….All of us [in cable news] had something to do with him because he was formative.”

Maddow went on to talk about several interactions she had with Ailes throughout his life, particularly those where she sought his advice about how to improve her on-air presence. Maddow did eventually come back to Fox News, where she talked about how Ailes’ departure preceded other sexual harassment troubles within the network.

“I don’t want to dismiss any of the serious allegations that were made against [Ailes] that resulted in him being fired from that job, but there were other things to know about him too, and my experience with him was professional and supportive and interesting.”

Watch above, via Access Hollywood.

[Image via screengrab]

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