Stephen A. Smith’s ‘First Take’ dominates Skip Bayless’ new-look ‘Undisputed’ in ratings, with the ESPN presenter happy to share the news
Stephen A. Smith’s ‘First Take’ dominates Skip Bayless’ new look ‘Undisputed’ in ratings, with the ESPN host happy to share the news
- Skip Bayless recently kicked off a new era of Undisputed with a new ‘dream team’
- But his show was reportedly no match for ‘First Take’ in this week’s ratings
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Skip Bayless recently added a self-proclaimed “dream team” of talent to “Undisputed,” but his show was reportedly no match for “First Take” in this week’s ratings.
Following Shannon Sharpe’s departure in June, Bayless has welcomed Richard Sherman, Michael Irvin and Keyshawn Johnson to usher in a new era of the show.
But that new phase is off to a rocky start, as the show was reportedly surpassed by Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take” more than five times this week.
According to sources cited by Sports front office‘Undisputed’ attracted only 78,000 viewers on Wednesday, compared to 423,000 for ‘First Take’.
On Tuesday it was 120,000 to 474,000, while the premiere of the revamped ‘Undisputed’ drew 131,000 viewers to First Take’s 448,000 on Monday.
Skip Bayless recently ushered in a new era of Undisputed with a brand new ‘dream team’
Smith co-starred with Bayless in ‘First Take’ before the move to Fox Sports
Smith, who of course co-starred with Bayless on “First Take” before its move to Fox Sports, was seemingly happy to share news about his show’s ratings.
He shared the Front Office Sports article with his 5.8 million followers, with the headline: ‘Skip Bayless’ revamped show falls short of ‘First Take’ ratings.’
Bayless was mocked by viewers earlier this week for being turned “moderator” by Sherman, Irvin and Johnson, when the trio barely let him say a word on the show.
At one point during Monday’s show, the crew of four discussed the Dallas Cowboys, with the normally loud Bayless sitting in silence for an extended period of time.
(L-R) Keyshawn Johnson, Richard Sherman and Michael Irvin joined Bayless on the FS1 show
Later in the show, Bayless declared that “it’s my turn” and eventually took control of the debate.
Then, as Bayless, Sherman, Irvin, and Johnson discussed the Lakers, Bayless told his new colleagues that “we don’t have time because you talk too much.”
“I know you just didn’t say we talk too much,” Johnson replied.
“Yeah, you talk too much,” Bayless said.
Sharpe left ‘Undisputed’ at the end of this year’s NBA Finals after seven years on the show with Bayless.
Ironically, he’s now teamed up with Smith for a bi-weekly segment on “First Take,” which begins this Monday.