Stephen A. Smith forced into last-minute First Take hosting role after mystery absence of Molly Qerim replacement

STEPHEN A. Smith has proved he can do it all on Monday’s edition of First Take.

The 56-year-old analyst stepped in at the last minute to cover for absent host Molly Qerim and her initial replacement Christine Williamson.

First Take/ESPN

First Take/ESPN

First Take/ESPN

Smith revealed that Qerim was originally due to be replaced by Williamson on Monday’s broadcast.

But fan favorite Williamson was forced to pull out at the last minute, resulting in lead analyst Stephen A. taking over as anchor.

Addressing his colleagues Kendrick Perkins, Shannon Sharpe , and Brian Windhorst, Smith laid down his ground rules.

“It’s our last day before vacation, Molly beat us to it,” Smith roared.

“Christine Williamson was supposed to be hosting the show today.

“But I just found out she can’t do it – so I’ll be hosting today.

“This is not Molly’s world. This is not Christine’s world. This is Stephen A.’s world.

“There are rules and regulations to follow.”

Smith flashed up five bullet points onto the screen, including the demand for “No cussing,” and “Don’t bad-mouth producers.”

The U.S. Sun has contacted ESPN for comment on Williamson’s absence.

Qerim is currently away enjoying a vacation following a grueling NBA postseason schedule.

Last week, Stephen A. complained he was “tired as hell” after the Boston Celtics’ Finals series with the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith revealed both he and Sharpe would be absent from the show for the remainder of the week from Tuesday on their own break.

Coverage of Wimbledon means First Take is being broadcast on ESPN 2 throughout the next week .

The chaos comes as Stephen A. reportedly angles for a new contract with the sports network .

First Take viewing figures

First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.

The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.

Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.

The show also reported 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.

Smith is looking to become the highest-paid analyst on ESPN, per Puck News .

He is reportedly asking for a $25 million yearly salary.

Stephen A.’s current deal with the network is due to run out in the fall of 2025.

Insider James Andrew Miller recently told the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast Smith was asking for a “big, big number.”

“I also feel, given the content world, he doesn’t even have to have another offer from one entity for that big number,” Miller said.

“I think what ESPN is up against is the possibility that [Smith’s agents] WME could go out and create an architecture where Stephen A. has a podcast, a this, a deal with this, a deal with that, whatever, and at the end of the day, it’s $20 million a year.”

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