COME BACK
First Take fans beg Stephen A. Smith ‘we need you back’ and label ESPN program ‘terrible television’ without him
Mad Dog hinted that he might be filling in for Stephen A. for an extended period of time
THE regular cast of First Take is taking a break from the show, and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo has been left in charge.
Russo has big shoes to fill with Stephen A. Smith absent from the show, and it appears fans don't think he is doing a great job.
3
3
Russo sat alongside a crew of replacements, as all of Stephen A, Molly Qerim, and Shannon Sharpe were absent from the show.
Instead, the Wednesday cast consisted of Russo, Brian Custer, and Chris Carlin.
The only familiar face on the broadcast was Kendrick Perkins, who provided some stability for First Take fans.
Fans weren't thrilled with the crew though, and begged Stephen A. to return to the show.
Read more on First Take
"@stephenasmith we need you back on @FirstTake," one fan said.
"Watching these seniors @MadDogUnleashed and his boy trying to argue with @KendrickPerkins is terrible television.
"Big Perk is gonna get arrested for elder abuse!!!"
"@stephenasmith hey sir when are you coming back from vacation," another fan said.
Most read in Basketball
"@FirstTake is so disappointing without. @KendrickPerkins what they talking about '@KingJames don’t wanna win anymore.'"
Stephen A. may not be returning anytime soon though, as Russo hinted that he could be away from the show for months.
First Take star Chris Russo slams Bill Belichick, 72, for relationship with 24-year-old cheerleader as ‘too much’
"We are not gonna see you know who until the NBA tips off in October," Russo said.
"So Draymond Green, get used to it. On this show for the next three months, it's yours truly.
"I will be the executive producer. I will bring in the cast... as Stevie A. says, First House, what's the show called!?
"First Take in the house."
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 - making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports' Undisputed.
Fans weren't thrilled to hear Russo say Stephen A. would be gone, and shared their disappointment on social media.
"SAS is off so they bring in the one man more annoying than him," one fan said.
Read More on The US Sun
"I like Mad Dog but having an old man host a show doesn't work wonders lately," another fan said.
"Love a show that tells you not to watch," a third fan said.
3