WITH the NFL season quickly approaching, Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith are still missing from First Take.
After a busy 2023-2024 NFL and NBA season, the star duo is taking some much-needed time off.
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Stephen A. spent most of the summer away from First Take, leaving the table as soon as the NBA Draft concluded.
He returned for a few days this summer, including a live show, but returned from vacation after those events.
“Do you miss me?!” Stephen A. said after his first return.
“I know you did it, whether you want to admit it or not.
“My friend Brian Windhorst is here, he’s a world traveler.
“Molly? I just don’t know what the hell Molly has been up to.”
He revealed to fans at the time that he would be leaving again after his brief return.
“So I decided, let me take a break, to go in and break down people’s emotions and feelings,” he added.
“It’ll only be a few days, then I’ll disappear again.”
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Qerim spent more time at the table this summer than Stephen A., but his appearances were also few and far between.
Meanwhile, Harry Douglas and Joe Fortenbaugh have been mainstays at the First Take table.
Fortenbaugh made his debut last month alongside Qerim and fans loved him.
“ESPN has been cooking lately,” said one fan.
“The GOAT on #firsttake this morning @JoeFortenbaugh! Let’s make some bets before noon!!” another said.
“I like this guy Fortenbaugh,” said a third fan.
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.
Douglas is Stephen A’s regular replacement, and fans always enjoy his performances.
“What an incredible show! Harry Douglas exudes class!!!” one fan said.
“@espn you need to promote Harry Douglas more,” said another fan.
“ESPN’s Harry Douglas was made for TV. He’s a great presenter,” said a third fan.
There is no word on when Stephen A. and Qerim will return to First Take, but it is expected to be before the start of the NFL season.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
