STEPHEN A. Smith revealed his five big First Take rules after taking over Molly Qerim’s hosting role.
The fiery personality was forced to take over Qerim’s duties on Tuesday after the longtime host quit following 19 years with the network.
Molly Qerim stunningly quit her First Take role and ESPN on Tuesday after working for the network for 19 years[/caption]
Qerim posted a message on social media about the stunning news.
She was expected to still be on the program until the summer.
Stephen A. revealed he would be the host for at least the rest of the week.
The 57-year-old showed that he was well capable of filling in on Tuesday.
The next day, during the first minutes of First Take, Smith addressed five guidelines for his colleagues on the debate show.
A graphic of Smith’s five rules for analysts on the show, while being the host, is as follows:
- 1: Speak when spoken to
- 2: No cussing
- 3: Address him as Stephen A. or Mr. Stephen A.
- 4: Leave the “fluid comments to ME
- 5: No rude reactions
Stephen A.’s rules caused an uproar from fans, claiming that the outspoken 57-year-old has already shown his ego-maniac ways in his new role.
“Sometimes fame gets to you. And sometimes your ego was so big to begin with that. It really gets to you,” one wrote.
“Bro literally suffers from main character syndrome,” another commented.
“If this is TRUE, F*** HIM!” a third said.
While Smith does have his brash way of doing things, it’s important to note that his rules for his colleagues weren’t put together on day two of his filling in as the host.
Stephen A.’s rules when hosting First Take are a running bit.
He first put forth the rules back in 2023 when he filled in for an absent Qerim.
Smith reminded TV viewers about his rules when hosting First Take on Wednesday[/caption]
Smith has since shown those same rules in numerous shows, including on Wednesday’s program.
It’s not known whether Stephen A. will host past this week.
There have been speculations as to who will replace Qerim.
Smith, Peter Schrager, Courtney Cronin, Shae Peppler Cornette, and Christian Williams have been deemed candidates to replace the 41-year-old.
