first take Archives - Page 4 of 13

Mad Dog Outlines Hilarious Plan For Watching Deion Sanders’ Colorado Take On Oregon

September 20, 2023 by newhiphopnews

You can always rely on Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo to bring his signature wild flavor to First Take. The veteran TV personality joined Stephen A. and Marcus Spears to discuss Colorado’s 3-0 start to the season and their impending Pac-12 opener against #10 Oregon. Then the segment went completely off the rails as Mad Dog outlined his exact plans for catching the night game on Saturday.

First, Mad Dog will be in Flagstaff visiting his son. His day starts with a run and some dog walking before he loosens up with a midday cocktail and a gummie and turns on the afternoon slate of college games. Once he’s “good and sauced”, he will call “Fat Rob” (his bookie) and drop “10 dimes” on Colorado before taking the rest of the gummie and watching the game. It’s a truly wild plan and all we can say is that we hope he enjoys it.

Mad Dog Betting Big On Colorado Upset

However, perhaps the most surprising part of Mad Dog’s day is the $10,000 bet on Colorado. Per ESPN, Colorado are 21-point underdogs against the #10 Ducks. Of the other four ranked v ranked games this weekend, only one other (Iowa @ Penn State) has a double-digit underdog. It’s a major leap of faith in a program about to play its make-or-break game. Furthermore, given the competitiveness of the Pac-12 in the conference’s final season, even just one conference loss could rule you out of the race for the conference title.

At the time of writing, Colorado has six ranked opponents in conference play. Their conference home opener pits them against #5 USC and Heisman favorite Caleb Williams. However, they must also take on 22 UCLA, #14 Oregon State, #21 Washington State, and #11 Utah. Let’s hope, at least for the sake of Mad Dog’s wallet, that Colorado can prove their doubters wrote and score the late-night upset in Eugene. Do you think Colorado can pull it off, especially without Travis Hunter? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Deion Sanders invites DaBaby to Colorado

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Mad Dog Dedicates “First Take” Rant Segment To Stephen A. Smith And Shannon Sharpe’s Bromance

September 13, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo took a couple of shots at the new First Take bromance in his latest “What Are You Mad About?”, his weekly rant segment on First Take. After ranting about the Giants, he took aim at the Stephen A. Smith-Shannon Sharpe bromance. “I really felt we’d come a long way since I got a text a year and a half ago saying “Doggy, can you come in and do First Take,” MD began his third point of the segment. And then all of a sudden, Shannon Sharpe is his blood brother? He takes him to Boulder, Colorado. He didn’t ask me to go.” Mad Dog’s rant became more and more unhinged as he pointed out all of the special treatment things Smith and Sharpe received while in Boulder over the weekend.

Obviously, the whole thing was in good faith and Smith was nearly crying with laughter as Mad Dog lost it more and more. However, it’s nice to see what an expanded and good-natured family First Take has become. Smith has really cultivated a good atmosphere within the Bristol-based group and it’s really paying off in both the entertainment value and the ratings.

Smith Drops Sharpe Bombshell

However, Mad Dog’s reaction is not the only thing about Smith and Sharpe that has been making headlines. During a recent conversation with Joe Budden. During the podcast episode, Smith claimed that he doesn’t view his acquisition of Shannon Sharpe as poaching or anything like that because Sharpe “didn’t leave of his own volition”. It’s the first major behind-the-scenes claim about the atmosphere at Undisputed prior to Sharpe’s departure.

However, it makes sense. It’s an open secret at this point that Skip Bayless has been seeking more and more control over his flagship show at FS1. It’s likely that Bayless wanted Sharpe out so that he could restructure the show to once again put himself at the top of the pecking order. This is supported by the fact several people were considered and rejected to replace Sharpe and most were rejected on the basis that they would be too much of an equal opponent for Bayless. Instead, Bayless reportedly wants easy wins when it comes to his debate partners.

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Stephen A. Smith Excuses Shannon Sharpe For Calling Him “Skip” Again

September 12, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe are now partners on First Take, and fans are loving it. Mondays and Tuesdays have turned into the best days to watch the show. With Shannon breaking down the NFL season, there has been much more legitimacy to the coverage. Furthermore, Shannon and Smith have amazing chemistry, and you can see their respect for one another. Overall, the know how to play off of each other, and it has led to some great moments thus far.

Today, Smith and Shannon got to talk about the problems with Aaron Rodgers and his injury. Moreover, they spoke on Karadius Toney and the recent comments he made about his Giants teammates. During this segment, Sharpe accidentally referred to Stephen A. as “Skip.” Sharpe was upset and embarrassed about it, especially since it happened twice before. However, Stephen A. was very forgiving. Again, the clip went viral on social media, and Smith decided to speak out and defend his new co-host.

Stephen A. Says It’s Okay

Will folks calm the F$&@ down please. The man (@ShannonSharpe) worked with Skip for 2 1/2 hours every single weekday for 6 1/2 YEARS! I’m surprised he hasn’t called me Skip more. Honest mistake. Nobody is fazed this way! So long as he shows up to @FirstTake when I ask, we are… https://t.co/ZWVKpGJHBH

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 12, 2023

“Will folks calm the F$&@ down please,” Stephen A. began. “The man (@ShannonSharpe) worked with Skip for 2 1/2 hours every single weekday for 6 1/2 YEARS! I’m surprised he hasn’t called me Skip more. Honest mistake. Nobody is fazed this way! So long as he shows up to @FirstTake when I ask, we are good!#TRUST” It was a nice gesture from Smith, especially since you could tell that Sharpe was upset at himself. Regardless, we’re sure he will get the Skips out of his system, sooner rather than later.

We are hoping to see a long and prosperous partnership between these two. While Skip and Shannon were an amazing duo, Stephen A. has filled in nicely. Let us know which duo you ultimately prefer, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world. We will always keep you informed of breaking news from around the major sports leagues.

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Stephen A. Smith Responds To Skip Bayless’ “First Take” Comments

September 9, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith’s feud continues. On a recent episode of his podcast, Smith discussed Bayless’ response to his comments on First Take‘s probationary period. He gave his side of the story, claiming that Bayless wasn’t giving the “whole truth” on his show.

Smith begins by noting how he and Bayless don’t talk a lot as of late, as they’re both preoccupied with their own shows. “One could say competing with one another,” he adds. He emphasizes that he himself doesn’t see it that way, but he “[understands] if anyone else does.” Smith continues, describing how his beef with Bayless was reignited when the commentator spoke with Richard Sherman about their own issues from the past. He reiterates how Bayless claimed that he didn’t clap back at Sherman at the time because he was trying to get a show together with Smith, which he says is true.

Stephen A. Smith Claims Skip Bayless Isn’t Telling The “Whole Truth”

He says Bayless “took the liberty of pointing out how we were going through a probationary period but it wasn’t because of him.” “I challenged that,” he says, “that wasn’t entirely true.” Smith then went on to play a clip of himself claiming that ESPN wasn’t “enamored” with Bayless’ Tim Tebow coverage. In the clip, he says that he wasn’t the only one responsible for the probationary period.

He then played a clip of Bayless’ response to his comments, in which Bayless tells his side of the story. “That is not the whole truth,” Smith says, “I don’t lie.” He continues, reiterating his point that their bosses at ESPN weren’t happy with Bayless’ constant Tim Tebow coverage. “Nobody is saying that the show was not successful,” he adds, “Nobody is saying that.” He went on to call out the bosses at ESPN who had a problem with the coverage by name, asserting that they weren’t “proud” of it. He claims that this is a “fact,” and says anyone questioning what he has to say should go talk to them. Leave your thoughts in the comments section, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.

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Pat McAfee Welcomed to ESPN With “First Take” Appearance

September 7, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Pat McAfee is set to make his ESPN debut on September 7 when The Pat McAfee Show officially moves to the media giant. McAfee’s exit from FanDuel was one of several major talent moves that ESPN orchestrated this summer. A round of talent layoffs followed by a $2 billion betting partnership allowed ESPN to land both McAfee as well as Shannon Sharpe from Fox. Ahead of his debut, McAfee joined Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim on First Take to promote his new show.

The Pat McAfee Show will serve as the new follow-on from First Take during the weekday broadcasts. McAfee said he was “honored” to be following First Take in the schedule. “We’re here to celebrate sports for two hours here on ESPN. And three hours on YouTube and ESPN+,” McAfee explained when asked what fans could expect of the show. Furthermore, McAfee has some history with First Take. Molly Qerim used to co-host a 2am call-time show with McAfee while he was still active in the NFL.

Pat McAfee Officially Joins ESPN

ESPN announced that they had signed McAfee to a multi-year deal back in May. While McAfee already did color commentary for Thursday Night Football, the deal brought the full extent of his sizeable media empire to the network. “Pat is a proven talent,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in the statement. “He and his team have built The Pat McAfee Show into one of the most engaging programs in sports and all of media. It’s a destination for athlete interviews and breaking news, and the centerpiece of a growing community of sports fans. We’re honored to bring Pat and the show to ESPN through a multifaceted, multiplatform approach.”

Furthermore, McAfee expressed his excitement about joining ESPN. “We are extremely honored that ESPN is blessing us with this opportunity to be a part of the next chapter of the ESPN family. We do not take that lightly and are going to work hard to make sure this is a success. All parties involved agree the time has come for a bunch of sports stooges in a Thunderdome in Indiana to sprinkle in some fun and celebration of sport as well.” However, McAfee assured fans that his show would remain largely the same, albeit with a little less profanity.

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Stephen A. Smith And Shannon Sharpe Hilariously Riffed On Drake And Central Cee’s ‘On The Radar’ Freestyle

September 6, 2023 by newhiphopnews

In case you didn’t know, First Take has a new host in Shannon Sharpe (heck, even Sharpe seemed to not remember just which show he was on in the first episode). He’s already displaying some great chemistry with original host Stephen A. Smith, aside from accidentally calling him “Skip.” Before Smith slapped on a name tag to help his new co-host remember his name, the two hosts teamed up to take on one of the summer’s most hilarious memes, which of course involved Drake.

Earlier this year when Drake teamed up with buzzing UK rapper Central Cee for “On The Radar Freestyle,” Drake’s goofy faux-British accent caught fans’ attention, and they couldn’t stop making fun of the way he pronounces the word “combination” on the track’s intro. Hopping aboard the bandwagon, Sharpe and Smith’s social media team inserted the two hosts into a screenshot of the video, captioning the post with, “The combo we all needed.”

The joke was a big hit in the comments, with one responder writing, “Whoever made this needs a raise!!!”

The new First Take crew is clearly leaning into their shared love of hip-hop for content; after comparing their respective physiques to The Rock and Snoop Dogg on a past podcast, they got a response from the Long Beach rapper himself showing off his gym progress. I’m getting my weight up so when I come on the show will talk about [weightlifting emoji],” he wrote. “Thanks 4 the motivation.” With these two jokesters, it appears First Take will be less about tearing down athletes for engagement and actually having some fun with the intersections between music and sports.

“First Take” Celebrate Success Of Stephen A. Smith And Shannon Sharpe Debut With Drake Meme

September 6, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Shannon Sharpe appears to be settling into his new role on First Take pretty well. There was a briefly awkward moment during his September 4 debut where he called Stephen A. Smith “Skip”. However, that was quickly resolved when Smith showed up the following day wearing a name tag. For the most part, the pair appear to work well together, although fans are likely hoping that things will get a little more explosive before too long.

Despite this, the Smith-Sharpe pairing is one that people have been wanting for a while. Even before Sharpe announced he was leaving Undisputed, fans saw the pairing as a dream combination for sports punditry. While Smith’s takes have been a little dubious as of late, there’s no denying that he and Sharpe work well together. In fact, ESPN is so convinced of this fact that the First Take social media team put together a little meme to acknowledge the fact.

“Combination” Meme Featuring Smith And Sharpe Goes Viral

Jointly posted to the First Take Instagram as well as Sharpe’s account, the video is a memed version of Drake and Central Cee’s visit to On The Radar earlier this year. However, Smith’s head has been planted over Drake’s while Sharpe’s head has been placed on the body of Central Cee. The short clip then uses the most memed part of the freestyle – Drake saying “Cominbation” with a slight Jamaican accent. “The combo we all needed @stephenasmith @shannonsharpe84,” First Take added as a caption.

Fans appeared to absolutely love the reference. Producer Quincy Harris can be seen saying “whoever made this deserves a raise” in the comments. Meanwhile, On The Radar responded with a string of ROFL emojis. However, another debate was raging in the comments. In short – some fans were lamenting that they were going to miss old Undisputed and old First Take while others were arguing that the change was a good one. How are you feeling about the start of Sharpe’s time on First Take? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the sports and sports media news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Shannon Sharpe Accidentally Calls Stephen A. Smith “Skip” On “First Take”: Watch

September 4, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe are the new dynamic duo in sports talk television. When the latter left Skip Bayless and Undisputed, it was up in the air as to where he would land. However, it became clear that First Take was an obvious landing spot. Ultimately, many felt like Shannon could pair nicely with Stephen A. They are both huge personalities and they would combine for some truly incredible television. Thankfully, ESPN gave Shannon the bag, and neither party has looked back.

Today was a special day for Stephen A. and Shannon as it marked the first day of their new partnership. Sharpe will only be doing the show on Mondays and Tuesdays, which aligns perfectly with football season. The first game is on Thursday between the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs. Of course, the two talked about this upcoming game, although it led to a hilarious blunder from Sharpe. As you can see below, he is still in Undisputed mode.

Shannon Sharpe Makes A Mistake

Sharpe accidentally called Smith “Skip.” However, he realized his mistake immediately and apologized. Smith told him that it was not a problem and that he shouldn’t worry about it. That said, the clip was immediately plastered all over Twitter, with fans displaying their amusement over the situation. Ultimately, this is something that Shannon has already moved past, and it’s not a big issue. Although, it does not take a genius to understand why this ended up going super viral.

The Full Segment

As for their actual conversation, Sharpe believes the Chiefs could lose to the Lions this weekend without Chris Jones in the lineup. However, Stephen A. is certain that Patrick Mahomes will get it done. Let us know who you believe is going to take Thursday night’s season opener, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world. We will always keep you informed.

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Skip Bayless’ “Undisputed” Ratings Tank, Stephen A. Smith Reacts

September 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Maybe Skip Bayless did need Shannon Sharpe after all. Per a report from Front Office Sports, the launch of the new season of Undisputed has seen viewership absolutely tank. 131,000 tuned into the season premiere of Undisputed, now anchored by Bayless, Richard Sherman, and Rachel Nichols. The following day, viewership dropped 8.4% to 120,000 viewers. Furthermore, viewership fell off a cliff on the third, falling another 35% to 78,000. A big problem for many viewers was that Bayless stepped back from the role of host to that of moderator, instead letting his newfound team do most of the debating.

This was in comparison to First Take, which saw figures of 448,000, 474,000, and 423,000. In percentage terms, that’s a 5% increase followed by a 10% decrease. However, First Take, which will debut Sharpe on September 4, still held nearly four times the viewers that Undisputed did. Furthermore, remember that, as mentioned, these are viewing figures for First Take before Shannon Sharpe joins the team. From September 4 onwards, Undisputed will have to contend with that additional pressure.

Stephen A.’s Reaction To Undisputed Numbers Says Nothing And Everything

The viewership for Undisputed is rapidly dwindling, per @FOS pic.twitter.com/zfA9gTs7sV

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 1, 2023

https://t.co/zwqg4leXJN

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 1, 2023

Stephen A. Smith, host of First Take, didn’t say a whole lot about the news that Undisputed had stumbled out of the gates. In fact, Smith didn’t say anything other than posting the Front Office Sports article without additional comment. Smith has made some comments about Bayless’ first week back on the air, noting how he tried to dunk on First Take while introducing Richard Sherman. However, more might be said about the situation in the coming days as Stephen A. takes to his podcast and other outlets.

It’s worth mentioning that Front Office Sports did advise caution when addressing these numbers. It was the first week after a two-month hiatus and numbers will likely rise as the NFL season gets underway next week. “Relax, first show. Shows always evolve,” tweeted Fox radio host Doug Gottlieb. “First Take was a segment called “1st and 10” on Cold Pizza, which was rebooted after one year.” The problem is that Undisputed is not a new show. This is not a reboot, it’s a rebrand of the same show that Bayless was running with Sharpe. And now that Sharpe is on First Take, Bayless should start to feel worried.

Read More: ACC adds Stanford and Cal for 2024

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Stephen A. Smith Called Out For Disrespecting “First Take” Panelist

August 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

It’s been a while since we had some true Stephen A. drama. Well, thankfully the veteran broadcaster was back to stir up some tension on First Take. It all began during a conversation about Joe Burrow versus Lamar Jackson. Smith went off on a tangent about how he doesn’t complain about how regular co-host Molly Querim “disrespects him every day”. He appeared to be responding to a point made by panelist Kimberley A. Martin, who didn’t look amused as Smith rambled. “Okay first of all. Stephen A. – you got one more time to call me Kim,” Martin began her response. Querim then chimes in, apologizing for also calling Martin “Kim” but Martin appears to wave it off.

That little move set Stephen A. off big time. “Hold on hold on hold on. Molly sitting right next to you and she call you Kim and you say nothing to her. But I’m here in LA and you’re gonna get on me?” Meanwhile, Martin can be heard saying “I don’t call you Steve,” as Smith yells at her. As Dan Orlovsky tries to egg on Smith, Qerim tries to restore some semblance of order, “Okay time out. Time out. Let’s try to get this right. Let’s try to get this right because Stephen still thinks my last name is Queer-Im.” Qerim’s name is pronounced Ker-rim.

Stephen A. Continues His Reign Of Cringe

Once again, Stephen A. put his whole ass on display. All he had to do in this situation was apologize to Martin and move on. Instead, he decided to fight her because he didn’t like being called out for his mistake. Of course, this is the second time in a matter of weeks that Smith has done this exact thing.

Earlier this month, Smith decided that he was going to go to war with Lonzo Ball, going as far as to reveal that he had been using Ball’s doctors as sources just to try and get the last laugh about Ball’s recovery. While Smith will not face any major consequences for this potential HIPAA violation, it is starting to become a trend for the broadcaster. More and more, his content has become about fighting people for his bad/incorrect takes rather than actually saying meaningful. One has to imagine just what heights that will reach once Shannon Sharpe joins the show next week.

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