STEPHEN A. Smith has stepped into an unfamiliar role for a chaotic episode of First Take.
The veteran sportscaster replaced absent host Molly Qerim for Tuesday’s broadcast on ESPN.
Qerim was unexpectedly away after anchoring Monday’s edition of the sports debate show.
The 40-year-old’s absence was glossed over by Smith as he seamlessly took to the hosting role.
“You don’t see Molly sitting in this chair,” he barked, “You see me.”
Smith went on to introduce co-stars Shannon Sharpe and Bart Scott.
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The analyst joked he was taking on a “player-coach” role during the special broadcast.
And he was quick to lay down a selection of special rules to his bemused colleagues.
Former NFL star Scott was told there was to be “no cussing” on the show.
Smith also declared everyone had to refer to him as “Mr. Stephen A.” for the remainder of the broadcast, and could only “speak when they are spoken to.”
“There will be law and order!” he roared, to laughs from Sharpe and Scott.
“Molly, what’s wrong with you? Please tell me it is a non-serious emergency that is why you took a day off. We have to deal with a dictator today,” joked one viewer on X.
‘You have to have thicker skin’ fumes Stephen A. Smith as First Take star hits out at Deion Sanders over reporter ‘ban’
“I’m ngl Stephen A hosting First Take has me hollering,” laughed another.
It’s not the first time Stephen A. has stepped up with Molly away from the studio.
In July, Smith took up the hosting role as Qerim’s expected replacement Christine Williamson was unable to attend the show.
Stephen A. recently returned from a lengthy summer vacation away from First Take.
Stephen A. Smith’s journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
Reports suggest the ESPN analyst is eyeing up a new $25 million contract with the network.
Smith wasted no time in courting controversy on Monday’s show, weighing in on the Colorado Buffaloes’ decision to ban a Denver Post reporter from asking questions.
And Stephen A. was quick to call out Colorado coach and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
“I do not agree with how [Sanders] is handling this situation,” Smith said.
“I do not agree with how the Colorado program has handled this situation.
“And quite frankly, I’m a bit disappointed because you have to have thicker skin than that.
“If you don’t want to talk to the reporter, Shannon, don’t talk to the reporter.
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“But, to have the program putting out a release announcing that, ‘We’re not gonna take questions as a program from this guy,’ is utterly ridiculous.”
First Take airs every weekday at 10 am ET on ESPN.
