ESPN First Take

When First Take is on, it's on. This is still one of the most entertaining and high-octane sports debate shows on TV. Stephen A. Smith brings the fire, Shannon Sharpe adds soul and energy, and the rotating panel keeps the show fresh and unpredictable. But the true backbone - the one who keeps the chaos in check - is Molly Qerim.

Molly Qerim: The Glue That Holds It Together

Let's not understate her role. Molly Qerim is the steady hand in a hurricane of hot takes. She knows when to guide the conversation, when to push back, and when to just let Stephen A. And Shannon cook. She brings professionalism, poise, and subtle sharpness to the table - and without her, the show would risk spiraling into noise. She doesn't just moderate; she elevates.

The Show's Strengths: Stephen A. Smith remains the main event - insightful, dramatic, theatrical, and always engaged.

Shannon Sharpe is the perfect foil: passionate, funny, and grounded in Hall of Fame experience.

Guest contributors keep things from getting stale, whether it's NFL, NBA, or pop culture crossover.

And Molly, again, deserves credit for keeping the wheels on without stealing focus.

The Weak Spots:

Let's keep it honest - Too much LeBron James and Dallas Cowboys talk. At times it feels like First Take should be called "The LeBron-Cowboys Hour." There's a whole sports universe out there, and when they explore it, the show really shines.

Final Word:

First Take is still must-watch sports TV. It's got the drama, the personality, and the passion. With Stephen A. And Shannon lighting the fire, and Molly making sure it doesn't burn down the set, the show balances entertainment and insight better than most.

8 out of 10. A few less Cowboys takes, a little more sports variety - and it could easily hit 9.

From time to time on some afternoons when I'm working out at the gym treadmill up above on the TV screen it's often tuned to ESPN's "First Take" and it's a program that's well worth the watch! It's style is that of a discussion and open topic of debates about issues and problems and people of the sports world and all sports are covered from many players and teams. And it's fun to watch the disagreement as usually the talk and debate ends in drama and with voices being raised. The talkers are Stephen A. Smith a former radio personality who knows the sports world and Skip Bayless a former sports writer and author and both are well educated on sports and issues it's a very informative show. And yes you know that there is some eye candy treat and that is in the form of the host the beauty and exotic sexy attractive Molly Qerim good god miss Molly! She's such a treat to look at I remember when she started on the NFL Network. Well anyway during the afternoon if your a sports fan check out this show.

Love First Take! The commentators are great, funny & very entertaining but...please get the women off the podium. Let's get real, women have no business on this show. This is mens sports and should be discussed and commented on by men only. I'm not being bias against women because I am one. Sorry to say, I just think womens equality should not extend to "mens" sports and they look ridiculous on the podium amongst men discussing male dominated sports.

I'm sure that if there wasn't women on this show, this cry baby country would scream discrimination but there just is some "mens" jobs women dont fit in.

Not saying pro sports are not real like those conspiracy guys do. Because obviously, obviously like so obviously pro sports are real. These athletes are our childhood heroes. They wouldn't lie.

Anyways 1st Take seems like they are forcing there to be beef or a problem. They seem like they nitpick stuff and add charisma and intellectual dialogue to make viewers interested in a worthless problem. I can't think of any because that's how minor the problems are.

I use to respect the A Smith guy but nowadays for awhile he seems like a fire to the fuel. Takes meaningless things seriously.

The other guy I forgot his name. He acts like he knows everything and his demeanour is so serious and silly at the same time.

Overall, I'll listen to some stuff when it spams in my youtube feed, however I need to start skipping of the 1st Take.

Verdict: Your take doesn't matter.

All I can say is Skip Bayless carried and invented this show and since he left this show struggles to be relevant.