For the last seven years, Molly Qerim has been hosting First Take on ESPN. While the show has gone through changes during that time, there is one thing that hasn’t changed and that is her desire to not be the star of the show.
Qerim was a guest on the Rise and Schein Podcast this week and she was asked by Schein how she balances being herself on the show and she said she doesn’t really care about being the star.
“I think one reason why it works is because Stephen A. is the star of the show. I’ve never really cared about that. I like being a part of a team. I think that’s why early on I kind of transitioned, there was some sideline opportunities that would have been pretty big for me and I decided to stay in studio.
“Obviously, when you are on the sidelines, you are also a part of a team. In terms of the rapport, hosting, and being on the desk, that’s my favorite part. Having fun with the guys, going back-and-forth, we all like to talk a lot of trash.”
Smith and Qerim have gone through many things together and she appreciates that the two of them share the same goal of making First Take the show that it is.
“Stephen A and I have such a great working relationship because we really respect each other. We’ve worked together for seven years, we’ve gone through a lot individually, personally, and a lot of the times sometimes with the show it feels sort of like First Take vs. everybody in terms of clickbait and certain things that garner a lot of attention. Right now, it’s just the two of us. I think there’s that mutual respect.
“Even though we will give each other so much crap at the end of the day, it’s the same team, common goal. In terms of him being the star, I’m not trying to be the star. I want to be a part of the team. I want to have fun, I want to do my job, and I hopefully want to do it well. I’m more worried about the show. That’s my focus. I think that’s why I was able to last in this role for a long time because I try not to have an ego in it.”
Qerim mentioned that it did take her a while to find her voice, but having a large family helped her be comfortable because she will act the same way on the show as she does around her family.
“Honestly, I’m just being myself. It’s the same kind of thing. I come from a big family. It’s just kind of me being me. When it’s like ‘Okay guys, reel it in’ that’s the same thing I would be saying at the dinner table. In a lot of ways, it feels very natural and it feels very organic. With that being said, it took a long time to find my voice I think to the level that I have now.”
The latest addition to First Take was having Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on Wednesdays and Qerim thought one question Russo asked her after a show was shocking.
“After the show, he was like ‘So what did you think? What could I do better?’ Wait, what just happened? That showed his humility and he really cared. He’s such great energy and it’s so much fun.
“If you ever watch him take notes during the show, it’s the strangest, weirdest things. It’s a beautiful mind. He’s been a great addition. I hope he’s here for a while.”
