First Take

First Take, a program on ESPN, is a lively sports talk show known for its robust debating style, insightful analyses, and confrontational showdowns. The show primarily focuses on the world of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and a variety of other sports from both the professional and collegiate levels. In the spotlight are commentators Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman, Molly Qerim, Cari Champion, and Dana Jacobson, whose unique perspectives and vivacious debating techniques help drive every discussion. The show originated in 2007 and has since become a mainstay in ESPN's program lineup. The pundits have a deep background and a wealth of knowledge about multiple sports, using their expertise to engage in hot-topic debates and heated exchanges of perspectives. Skip Bayless primarily contributes his razor-sharp insights to 'First Take' and has a fearless debating style. Bayless is bold, brutally honest, never hesitating to bring controversial sports topics to the forefront causing some of the most spirited exchanges on the show. His defiant stand on several issues and unabashed reasoning often rattles the studio as well as the audience, giving the show its unique vibrancy. Stephen A. Smith, equally renowned for his poignant viewpoints, matches Bayless with his passionate delivery and impressive knowledge of sport. Smith brings to First Take a rich, detailed knowledge of basketball, particularly in the NBA, where his contacts and reporting experience give weight to his commentaries. Always prepared with a quick retort or clever comeback, Smith’s delivery is fiery and entertaining, providing a more dramatic dynamic to the show. Max Kellerman joined the team in 2016. Known for his strong viewpoints and quick wit, Kellerman adds an additional layer of intrigue and debate to the show's segments. His charisma and razor-sharp logic construct some of the most engaging debates on the platform, often clashing swords with Bayless and Smith for some heated discussions. Moderating these fierce debates is none other than Molly Qerim. As the show host, Qerim offers more than just mediation between the commentators; she also brings her own insights to the table. Qerim shines with her sports knowledge, going head-to-head with the other commentators during specific segments, lending a different perspective to the debates. Cari Champion and Dana Jacobson are also part of the First Take ensemble. As successors to the hosting role, both bring rich sports journalism experiences to the desk, ensuring the show remains on point and comprehensive in its commentary. First Take has evolved into more than a traditional sports talk show. It's a platform where sports news and social issues often intersect. The commentators occasionally venture into discussions of social, racial, and political issues that resonate closely with the sports world, making it one of the more holistic sports talk shows. This formula has not only attracted sports fanatics but also viewers with a broader interest in societal issues. A unique aspect of the show is its live audience setting, which creates a dynamic type of interaction between the hosts, the participants, and their fans. The show travels across the United States, hosting live broadcasts from sports events to university campuses, sometimes even going international, offering the participating spectators an interesting behind-the-scenes look at sports broadcasting. The structure of First Take is essentially divided into several segments, each having a particular topic of discussion. For the most part, the segment begins with Qerim, Champion, or Jacobson presenting a sports-related topic, following which Smith, Bayless, or Kellerman initiate the debate. The scenarios range from hypothetical situations to recent developments in the sports world making the discussions always relevant and engaging. Overall, First Take thrives on the uniqueness of the commentators, the dynamics of the live audience, and the inclusion of societal issues into sports-based discussions. Its distinctive blend of fervor, depth, and versatility has made it a staple show for sports enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. As you tune into the world of First Take, expect heated arguments, insightful debates, dramatic exchanges, and a lot of takeaways on various sports topics and much more.

First Take is a series categorized as a currently airing. Spanning 11 seasons with a total of 403 episodes, the show debuted on 2007. The series has earned a moderate reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 5.6.