CHRISTINE Williamson impressed First Take viewers after replacing regular presenter Molly Qerim.
First Take anchor Molly was unexpectedly absent from Thursday’s broadcast from Bristol, Connecticut.
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ESPN’s flagship daytime program debuted the location change on Wednesday to surprise viewers.
First Take returned to its former studios at ESPN’s Bristol headquarters to make way for the NBA Draft,
The show aired there between 2007 and September 2018, before moving down the coast to New York City.
Molly, a Connecticut native, was delighted to be back in familiar territory.
“Back to the old stomping ground after seven years,” Qerim smiled as he introduced Wednesday’s panel.
“We’re back in Bristol. It’s like a high school reunion.”
Qerim grew up in New Haven, CT, and attended the University of Connecticut.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in business administration from the prestigious school.
The popular host, dubbed the “Queen of ESPN” by fans, is an avid fan of the UConn Huskies.
Molly was replaced by Williamson in Thursday’s edition as the show continued on the road.
Lead analyst Stephen A. Smith was joined by Kendrick Perkins as the panel dissected the first round of the Draft.
Williamson regularly replaces Qerim and is expected to assume the presidency again tomorrow.
A former volleyball player at the University of Miami, Christine has worked for the Big 12 Network and FOX Sports.
She joined ESPN in 2019 and has since become a versatile member of the rotation.
In addition to her anchoring roles on the network, Williamson has also showcased her reporting skills in recent months.
Molly Qerim’s life in the spotlight
Molly Qerim rose through the ranks to become one of ESPN’s biggest stars.
The popular sports presenter began her media career in 2006 at ESPN and spent four years with the network.
She then covered college basketball and football for the CBS Sports Network in New York.
Qerim balanced this with hosting duties for the NFL Network in Los Angeles – fronting NFLAM and NFL Fantasy Live.
The host returned to ESPN in 2015 and immediately took on the role of First Take anchor.
And Qerim has been a popular and ever-present host of the daily sports debate show ever since.
Earlier this year, she joined the College GameDay team as a reporter traveling to college campuses each week.
“Christine Williamson is a fantastic host! She should definitely have a permanent spot on a major show! @espn,” wrote one impressed viewer on X.
“Christine on First Take knows the ball,” said another.
“ESPN reporter Christine Williamson is good at her job. Very experienced, articulate – she doesn’t need any gimmicks to be successful,” added a third.
The first broadcast airs every weekday starting at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN.
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