Tag: First Take
Browse our Latest articles!
Craig Carton: No ESPN Talent Will Challenge Stephen A. Smith Out Of Fear
"None of them are going to say a damn thing about it. They're all afraid if I go after Stephen A. [Smith], he'll have my job. If I go after him, he'll get me fired. What a shame that is."
Stephen A. Smith Apologizes for Comments Regarding Lane Johnson’s Mental Health
"The biggest regret that I have for all of this is the fact that it may have given people that wanted to open the door to seek help a reason to pause and hesitate and not do so."
Pardon The Interruption Record Month Leads ESPN September Studio Show Viewership
"Across ESPN's studio programming, average September viewership rose 7% compared with last year."
Stephen A. Smith Backtracks Commentary Regarding Lane Johnson and Mental Health on First Take
"Four games in to the 2026 season, a dude that has been in the league forever sits back and says, "I need to focus on my mental health and as an offensive tackle." There's no way [if] you're undefeated [or] winning football games. Everybody's got Super Bowl in their sights. You [don't] walk away."
Why Pardon the Interruption’s Lack of Social Media, Promotion Is Both a Problem and a Strength
"PTI has always chosen to be different from everything else on ESPN, dating back to the moment it first hit the airwaves. It has continued to resist changing its core formula despite trends within the industry and within the network itself. So, why change now?"
Michael Wilbon Feels ESPN Ignores Promotion, Social Media Clips Of Pardon the Interruption
"A lot of them [ESPN executives] don't even know PTI exists. We're not from Bristol. We weren't created by Bristol. We're not of the ESPN culture."
Stephen A. Smith Reportedly Making More Upcoming Appearances On ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown
"Exact dates in which Smith appears on Monday Night Countdown are unknown."
How Damien Woody Is Building His Second Act After 15 Years With ESPN
"For me, it’s about seeing content that they haven’t seen from me before. When you’re at ESPN, there’s a certain model that they do things. Now, independence allows me to broaden my reach with different things I can do. Hopefully, earning a new appreciation for what I can bring to the table."
Stephen A. Smith Still Fighting For A Shannon Sharpe First Take Comeback
"In my perfect world, I'm getting you back. You know, I ain't gonna stop. I ain't gonna rest. I'm gonna keep trying to get you back. You know how I roll, and I'm gonna keep that going."
How ESPN Can Turn Skip Bayless’ First Take Return Into Something Bigger
"This isn’t about recreating 2012. That version of First Take already happened. It’s about recognizing what can still work in 2026."