The First Take regular cast is taking a break from the show, and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is in charge.
Russo has big shoes to fill with Stephen A. Smith absent from the show, and it seems like fans don’t think he’s doing a good job.
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Russo sat alongside a team of stand-ins as Stephen A, Molly Qerim and Shannon Sharpe were absent from the show.
Instead, Wednesday’s cast consisted of Russo, Brian Custer and Chris Carlin.
The only familiar face on the broadcast was Kendrick Perkins, who provided First Take fans with some stability.
Fans were not thrilled with the team and begged Stephen A. to return to the show.
“@stephenasmith we need you back on @FirstTake,” said one fan.
“Watching these elderly @MadDogUnleashed and his son try to argue with @KendrickPerkins is terrible television.
“Big Perk is going to jail for elder abuse!!!”
“@stephenasmith hey mister when are you back from vacation,” said another fan.
“@FirstTake is so disappointing without. @KendrickPerkins what are they talking about ‘@KingJames doesn’t want to win anymore.'”
Stephen A. may not return anytime soon, as Russo has hinted that he could be away from the show for months.
“We won’t see you know who until the NBA gives notice in October,” Russo said.
“So, Draymond Green, get used to it. In this program for the next three months, it’s truly yours.
“I’ll be the executive producer. I’ll bring the cast… as Stevie A. says, First House, what’s the show called!?”
“First go into the house.”
First look at the numbers
First Take has grown from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim over the past year.
ESPN’s weekday debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 — making it the most-watched year in the show’s history.
Its December average of 611,000 represented a 24% annual increase compared to 2022.
The show has also recorded more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
Fans were not thrilled to hear Russo say Stephen A. would be leaving and shared their disappointment on social media.
“SAS is deactivated so they bring in a man more annoying than him,” said one fan.
“I like Mad Dog, but having an old man hosting a show doesn’t do wonders these days,” said another fan.
“I love a show that tells you not to watch it,” said a third fan.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
