Skip Bayless will reunite with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's 'First Take' for a special show on May 8. The duo previously transformed sports television with their debate style from 2012 to 2016.
Key points
Skip Bayless rejoins 'First Take' on May 8.
Bayless and Smith previously hosted together from 2012 to 2016.
Bayless left ESPN for FOX Sports in 2016.
They reunited for a podcast episode in 2025.
Bayless expressed excitement for the reunion on social media.
Mentioned in this story
Skip BaylessStephen A. SmithESPNFOX Sports
Super Bowl 60
"First Take" will have a familiar feel Friday, May 8, when Skip Bayless rejoins the ESPN program led by Stephen A. Smith for a one-time show, according to the network.
Bayless and Smith appeared together on "First Take" and ushered in an era of sports television centered on debate and "hot takes." Their illustrious run from 2012-16 made "First Take" a staple of ESPN's daily programming.
Bayless departed for FOX Sports in 2016 and teamed up with Shannon Sharpe – who later became a regular on "First Take" ironically – on "Undisputed," which ended in 2024.
"CAN'T WAIT FOR FRIDAY," Bayless wrote on social media.
Bayless and Smith reunited behind the microphone in 2025 for an episode of Bayless' podcast. They also reconnected in February for an event two days before Super Bowl 60 on "Radio Row."
Since Max Kellerman departed "First Take" in 2021, a rotating cast of debaters and analysts join Smith for every show.
Shea Cornette replaced Molly Qerim, who left the show after a decade, as the show's moderator in November 2025.
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Q&A
When will Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith reunite on 'First Take'?
Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith will reunite on 'First Take' on May 8.
What years did Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith previously host 'First Take' together?
They hosted 'First Take' together from 2012 to 2016.
What show did Skip Bayless join after leaving ESPN in 2016?
After leaving ESPN in 2016, Skip Bayless joined FOX Sports and co-hosted 'Undisputed' with Shannon Sharpe.
What events led to the reunion of Bayless and Smith in 2025?
Bayless and Smith reunited in 2025 for an episode of Bayless' podcast and previously connected in February for an event before Super Bowl 60.
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A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
2 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
3 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
4 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
5 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
When were Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless on 'First Take' together?
Smith and Bayless first teamed up on "First Take" in 2012. Their most famous debates revolved around Bayless' beloved Cowboys, with Smith playing the antagonistic Dallas-hater, and "LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan."
"When I was doing 'First Take' with Skip, Skip had one position, I had the other," Smith told USA TODAY Sports in 2021. "It didn’t matter whether we talked to each other before the show, during the show, after the show, it didn’t matter. We were never on the same page."
Smith has often credited Bayless for his rise within the sports media industry.
"I would not be on 'First Take' without Skip Bayless," Smith said in the wide-ranging conversation from five years ago. "I’m on 'First Take' because Skip Bayless brought me to 'First Take.' And at that particular moment in time, Skip Bayless was 'First Take.' So whatever I’ve achieved in my career since I’ve been on 'First Take' is a byproduct of Skip Bayless.
"Even though it’s my show now, and a lot of people viewed me in high regard when he and I were together, you don’t sit up there and bite the hand that feeds you. You don’t turn your back on somebody who’s done so much for you. He is my brother from another mother. He always will be. I don’t give a damn where I go or what I do. When you look at my success in this business, regardless of what talent people say I have, it really took off to another level when I got on 'First Take.' And there’s no way in hell that I would have ever been on 'First Take' if it weren’t for Skip Bayless. Period.”
What will Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless debate on 'First Take'?
There will be no shortage of topics for the duo to discuss, considering that Smith's New York Knicks are in the NBA playoffs – as is their longtime muse, "King James."
The Cowboys' offseason and 2026 expectations will almost certainly command a segment.
