Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith did not just run it back on ESPN. They reminded the industry why chemistry still sells.
What We Know: Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith reunited last week for a two-hour live special on ESPN from LA Live in Los Angeles. Shea Cornette handled the referee role. Smith and Baylees first clicked on Jim Rome’s Fox Sports Net show in the early 2000s before teaming up and turning “First Take” into must-watch appointment viewing for sports fans. Bayless left for FS1 and Undisputed with Shannon Sharpe in 2016. Smith then partnered with Max Kellerman on First Take before changing the format to feature himself alongside a rotating cast in late 2021. First Take remains dominant in its timeslot, attracting near or above 500,000 viewers per show. Bayless is now a contributor to Gilbert Arenas’ platform, Underdog.
What They Said: “It was a rebirth. A relaunch. It was just a restart of the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in my lifetime, my on-air chemistry…with Stephen A. Smith” – Skip Bayless
What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not said if Bayless will make additional appearances with Smith. Smith hasn’t remarked on future plans either. As of today, there is no announced plan for recurring reunion episodes, guest stints, or a larger on-air role. It also remains unclear how Underdog view Bayless’s ESPN cameo in the context of his current commitments. Moreover, we don’t yet know how Bayless entering the mix would affect other First Take contributors or if management is interested in having Skip further involved.
What It Means: Media professionals can’t deny Skip and Stephen A.’s chemistry. Their on-air friendship, trust, and comfortability debating each other creates appointment viewing. The appearance created buzz, and I suspect ratings and online metrics will verify additional lift. If Bayless enters the rotation as a regular contributor, it would add juice to the show that he helped make famous. Neither Skip nor ESPN need to rush into this. If chatter, curiosity, and enthusiasm builds for Skip and Stephen A. to reunite, football season makes the most sense to run it back. Skip’s profile fits what Jimmy Pitaro values, a talent who can cut through the crowded media environment. It makes too much sense for both sides to not work together again.
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Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
