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Could the Combustible First Take Relationship Drive Skip Bayless From ESPN
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:05 pm
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:05 pm
quote:
Stephen A. Smith recently signed a massive new contract, he’s got national commercials, always seems to have the network’s backing whenever he crosses the line – be it uttering the N-word on air, or threatening one of the best players in the NBA – but how does this all look to the guy who carries the show Smith co-stars on, First Take?
As the stories in Bristol go, Skip Bayless is less than thrilled with the current setup of First Take. He shows up hours before the show goes on air and huddles with producers to go over topics they will cover, as it usually works in television. According to several people at ESPN interviewed for this article, Smith is said to regularly saunter into the morning meetings a half hour before the show, leading Bayless to ask colleagues at the network why he has to do all the work. On more than one occasion, Smith has called into said meeting from his bed.
ESPN’s been through a tumultuous year, losing some recognizable names from their opinion roster: Keith Olbermann, Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd, and most recently, Jason Whitlock. Like Cowherd, ESPN wants to keep Bayless when his contract ends next year. He’s on one of the most lucrative TV shows at the network and it sets the table for His & Hers, giving the show a nice lead-in, and helping turn it into a hit. In 2016, Bayless figures to become one of the highest-paid people at the network. Unless … is there a chance he leaves?
Bayless has been around sports media for decades, at virtually all the important newspapers and on multiple TV networks. He’s the “Grandfather” of debate, dating back to the 90’s. Those who know Bayless say he’s seen what has happened to fellow opinion-makers at the network in the last year, a situation that more than a few view as troubling.
Bayless knows that at ESPN, he isn’t thought of in the same vein of Smith, who regularly appears on SportsCenter, is wedged into NBA coverage and last month, was put on Sunday morning NFL shows.
The counter to that, in speaking to people who work at ESPN: the opinionated Bayless can be difficult to work; Smith is up for talking around-the-clock – just turn on the red light and let him go.
Some executives under ESPN President John Skipper view Bayless as “riskier” than Smith – perhaps because of moments like this Richard Sherman one, and that Smith is a red carpet regular and on a text/phone call basis with athletes – though Bayless has never been suspended from the network, and Smith has.
The man who put Smith and Bayless together at ESPN, Jamie Horowitz, is now running Fox Sports 1. He already made one significant move by plucking Cowherd, which shook up ESPN’s radio/mid-day TV lineup. Could Horowitz lure Bayless away from ESPN to further bolster Fox Sports 1 programming?
LINK
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:13 pm to RLDSC FAN
riskier= White
Smith can say anything he wants and Media wont condemn ESPN.
Bayless even gets near a comment Smith would make and ESPN is attacked by PC police and pussy SJW's.
Smith can say anything he wants and Media wont condemn ESPN.
Bayless even gets near a comment Smith would make and ESPN is attacked by PC police and pussy SJW's.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:14 pm to RLDSC FAN
Stephen A. Smith is a POS. frick that guy.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:16 pm to RLDSC FAN
quote:
He’s on one of the most lucrative TV shows at the network and it sets the table for His & Hers, giving the show a nice lead-in, and helping turn it into a hit
Good lord
Those two shows are cancer to sports talk
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:17 pm to RLDSC FAN
Both of them are assmites, but Bayless is extremely talented especially as a writer. SAS is just obnoxious and loud.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:20 pm to RLDSC FAN
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:20 pm to stlslick
If ESPN fires or disagrees with Stephen A, it would be considered racist
This post was edited on 10/8/15 at 5:21 pm
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:21 pm to RLDSC FAN
I quit watching once the changed the format of that show to Bayless and Smith only. I don't particularly care of Bayless' schtick but he does strike me as a guy who puts in hard work and is prepared at what he does while Screamin A is just a loud mouth jackass. The article pretty much confirms that.
This post was edited on 10/8/15 at 5:24 pm
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:21 pm to Roger Klarvin
At least Skip is a master troll. The guy is so good at taking ridiculous stands on an issue and backing it up with facts that leave everyone else fuming.
Smith just yells at the camera.
Smith just yells at the camera.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:25 pm to RLDSC FAN
Wait, first take has meetings and puts out the garbage they do?
If Bayless does all the work himself he should khs
If Bayless does all the work himself he should khs
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:26 pm to RLDSC FAN
Would it be bad if I hoped this First Take relationship ended in a murder-suicide?
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:28 pm to RLDSC FAN
The Bayless and Cowturd show by Fox 1
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:31 pm to RLDSC FAN
quote:
shows up hours before the show goes on air
From the clips I've seen, this is like being the hardest-working guy at Springer.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:35 pm to RLDSC FAN
quote:
Bayless knows that at ESPN, he isn’t thought of in the same vein of Smith, who regularly appears on SportsCenter, is wedged into NBA coverage and last month, was put on Sunday morning NFL shows.
You built yourself up as this clown Skip, your own fault no one takes you serious or values your opinions
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:37 pm to BilJ
Cant believe they dont want skip on NBA coverage so he can say LeBron is overrated.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:43 pm to RLDSC FAN
quote:
Could Horowitz lure Bayless away from ESPN to further bolster Fox Sports 1 programming?
Quite a lineup that would be.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 5:45 pm to RLDSC FAN
I have thought many times that Bayless is wrapped too tight and that he would have a stroke on TV.
That Bayless does appropriate professional preparation is on him.
Smith can play it as he chooses.
There are always implications for every gesture. cause, effect.
That Bayless does appropriate professional preparation is on him.
Smith can play it as he chooses.
There are always implications for every gesture. cause, effect.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 6:19 pm to RLDSC FAN
SAS has strong relationships with current stars. That's the major difference here that makes him valuable to ESPN. An insider guy that's cool to the players. We hate him bc he turns thing into racially charged arguments, but the players side with him on those arguments and Iike him for it. As long as he's cool to the players, he'll be valuable to espn
Posted on 10/8/15 at 6:24 pm to RLDSC FAN
What us the target auduence for First Take anyways? Who is at home at 9am to watch ESPN?
Same question for His And Hers? Who wants tob watch that crap?
Same question for His And Hers? Who wants tob watch that crap?
Posted on 10/8/15 at 6:36 pm to RLDSC FAN
All I want is for those two to be out of work and that show to no longer be on the air.
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