“You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
This is perhaps the most memorable line from 2008’s The Dark Knight (considered by many to be the best Batman movie before The Batman hit theaters this past weekend), with which Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhardt) explains why Gotham City needs Batman. And if the city decides it doesn’t need him, he’s still fulfilling a purpose.
In recent months, Stephen A. Smith has become the opposite of what Dent was talking about. He has lived long enough on ESPN’s First Take to become a hero for the network.
For many years, Smith was everything wrong with ESPN’s daytime programming. He embraced debate. He was personality over substance. His bombast covered up a general knowledge that couldn’t discuss many topics with insight. Most of all, Stephen A. shouted. He screamed to bully whichever co-host or guest opposed him into submission.
Very often, it wasn’t very appealing television. First Take still drew ratings because it was on ESPN in mid-morning. Fans who enjoyed sports debates watched. But it also made for good background for those who worked at home or could play it in the office. It was safe programming at gyms, lobbies, and waiting rooms. But was the show taken that seriously?
But ESPN stuck with Stephen A., giving him even more platforms on radio and streaming, though many claimed they were tired of hearing from him. Network executives and producers knew he was a personality people would watch and listen to, even if it was to disagree with him. Stephen A. wasn’t going anywhere, whether fans thought that was what they wanted or not.
Last summer, Smith stepped into controversy for remarks made about Los Angeles Angels superstar (and eventual American League Most Valuable Player) Shohei Ohtani, saying he couldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball because he didn’t speak English.
One month later, Smith forced Max Kellerman out from First Take. At the time, it was believed that Smith was responsible for the decision, which he later admitted to. Those who felt Stephen A. was too overbearing a presence on the show, too domineering toward his debate opponents, could rightly wonder if this was a bad sign. Was more Stephen A. — or a more powerful Stephen A. — a good thing for First Take?
To paraphrase Harvey Dent, you either become irrelevant or stick around long enough for people to like you again.
Perhaps the blowback Smith received for his Ohtani remarks and taking criticism from colleagues on the air was a humbling experience. Maybe Smith felt he needed to prove that the decision to move Kellerman off First Take was the right one and the show would be better for it. ESPN believed in Stephen A. and a majority of viewers stuck by him. But perhaps Smith felt he needed to justify that confidence.
Of course, that goes entirely against his on-air persona. Stephen A. Smith humbled? Stephen A. Smith contrite? OK, maybe that’s taking speculation a bit too far.
Yet something does appear to have changed. Smith appears to be revitalized. He admitted that his recent bout with COVID which resulted in hospitalization over the New Year’s holiday made him realize how much he missed First Take and wanted to get back to it.
Perhaps more importantly, a new rotation of guest hosts following Kellerman’s departure have helped the show’s debates feel fresh and engaging. Stephen A. is no longer paired with someone expected to be a punching bag for his arguments and rants. His debate opponents fight back. They trade blows. Nobody embodies that new dynamic more than Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, now making regular appearances on Wednesday.
Stephen A. no longer acts as if he has to argue his co-host, guest, or analyst out of the room. He relishes the conflict from a worthy adversary. That’s added a bit of humility, even a bit of playfulness. Smith looks like he’s having fun again on First Take and it’s resulted in a more enjoyable show.
Viewers and sports media observers are no longer complaining in articles and on social media about Stephen A. shouting and screaming. They’re enjoying the noise. They’re appreciating the passion that it demonstrates. Even if there’s criticism, it no longer appears to come with exasperation.
Sure, ESPN believed in Stephen A. and that faith has been justified. And maybe Smith just kept doing what he does and broke through on the other side of popular opinion.
Whatever the reason, the view of Smith has become more positive in the past couple of months. He’s been around long enough to see himself become the champion, rather than the bad guy. It’s a development that those who have been following Smith’s career, the evolution (or de-evolution) of sports debate TV likely wouldn’t have predicted not so long ago.
Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at iancass@gmail.com.
