ESPN First Take | |
---|---|
Starring |
Stephen A. Smith Molly Qerim Max Kellerman |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Running time | 2 hours |
Release | |
Original network |
ESPN2 (2007–2016) ESPN (2017–present) |
Original release | May 7, 2007 – present |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Cold Pizza |
Related shows | Skip and Shannon: Undisputed |
External links | |
Website |
First Take is an American morning sports talk program on ESPN. One episode airs each weekday from Monday through Friday, with the live episode airing from 10am ET until noon, along with a full encore after His & Hers.
The show is broadcast from ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut in Studio E. It also has "roadshow" broadcasts for events such as the weeks of the College Football Playoff, the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals from the cities where those events take place.
The entire show, without commercials, is available as an audio-only podcast the afternoon of the same day, following the broadcast of the recorded show. Episodes are also uploaded to the First Take YouTube page for viewing.
Analysts and long-time sports reporters Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith (along with guests) are featured, providing roundtable and often adversarial daily debate—often known as "hot takes"—on current sports topics of interest to the United States audience.
Former analysts
Former guest analysts/hosts
The show was originally hosted and moderated by Jay Crawford and Dana Jacobson, formerly of the show's predecessor Cold Pizza.
In August 2011, the show underwent a drastic format change. The former 1st and 10 segments were removed, Bayless' contribution to the show was greatly increased, and the show gained an increased focus on debate throughout the show. The ratings for the show saw a drastic increase as a result, with a reported 58% increase for the first 3 months of 2012, compared to the same time in 2011.
On April 30, 2012, it was announced on-air that regular guest contributor Stephen A. Smith would be joining First Take on a permanent, five-day-per-week basis. On occasions he was reporting from elsewhere, Rob Parker was frequently featured as his replacement until December 20, 2012, when he was suspended for comments made about Robert Griffin III; he would not return, as ESPN allowed his contract to expire, rather than re-sign him.