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.

It could be a decent show but two things literally turn me off and make me turn the show off. One is when Max Kellerman says "So and so is the best player in history, or this team is the greatest of all time." He says that a lot. Simply because they just won a game or two. Also when when Stephen A. goes on one of his screaming jive talking rants. There's no need for this and it just makes me cringe and change channels.

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

Wow this show and the host suck so bad. NBA talk in August that's entertaining.

No MLB, No College Football, No NHL. Dude makes more than most NHL players contracts. Wow...Show a disgrace to any fan who has sports knowledge.

The louder you yell the more Knowledge you have right?

Max least knew Boxing. But show was always a flop.