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Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith to reunite on ESPN's 'First Take' for one day only
TL;DR
Skip Bayless will reunite with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's 'First Take' for a special one-day episode. This marks their first hosting appearance together in nearly a decade.
Key points
- Skip Bayless reunites with Stephen A. Smith on 'First Take'
- The reunion is a one-time event
- Bayless was on 'First Take' from 2007 to 2016
- Stephen A. Smith currently hosts the show
- They haven't appeared together in nearly 10 years
Mentioned in this story
Skip BaylessStephen A. SmithESPN
First Take
Stephen A. Smith, left, and Skip Bayless, seen at an ESPN event in May 2014, are reuniting on "First Take" for one day only. (Larry Busacca / Getty Images)
Skip Bayless is returning to ESPN's "First Take" — but for a very limited time only.
Bayless will join Stephen A. Smith on Friday's episode of the popular sports debate show in what the network describes as "a one-time reunion" between the two men who haven't hosted the program together in nearly 10 years.
Bayless appeared on "First Take" from the show's inception in 2007 until he left ESPN in 2016. Smith has remained on "First Take," which he currently hosts with Shae Cornette.
It was Smith's idea to bring back Bayless as a special guest, according to a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Read more: Shae Cornette is named as Molly Qerim's replacement as host of ESPN's 'First Take'
After leaving ESPN, Bayless joined Fox Sports, where he co-hosted similarly formatted show "Undisputed" — for much of the time with co-host Shannon Sharpe — from 2016- to 2024. He currently hosts a podcast, "The Skip Bayless Show," and is a regular contributor on the digital sports show "The Arena: Gridiron," starring Gilbert Arenas.
In 2024, Smith addressed rumors of Bayless possibly re-joining "First Take."
Q&A
When will Skip Bayless appear on 'First Take' with Stephen A. Smith?
Skip Bayless will appear on 'First Take' this Friday for a special one-day reunion.
Why did Skip Bayless leave ESPN in 2016?
Skip Bayless left ESPN in 2016 after nearly a decade on 'First Take' to pursue other opportunities.
How long has it been since Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith hosted 'First Take' together?
It has been nearly 10 years since Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith hosted 'First Take' together.
