VACATION DAY
Monica McNutt burst out laughing live on First Take as Molly Qerim reveals reason for Stephen A. Smith’s shock absence
Stephen A. has been open about how tired he is from the NBA Playoffs
STEPHEN A. Smith was abruptly absent from First Take on Thursday.
After openly admitting how tired he was after the NBA Playoffs, Stephen A. got a day off from First Take.
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Molly Qerim rolled out a star-studded crew of analysts to fill in for him though, but first she cleared the air about his absence.
"No Stephen A. today, I let him take the day off," Molly said.
"Just one! Don't you worry, we're crewed up."
The admission sent Monica McNutt, who has returned to First Take after a two-week hiatus, into a fit of laughter.
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Udonis Haslem took over Stephen A's seat during Thursday's episode of First Take.
Haslem is a 20-year NBA veteran who won three championships during his time in the league.
He is the all-time leading rebounder in Miami Heat history and started working as an analyst for ESPN in May.
Fans weren't missing Stephen A. too much, as many enjoyed the cast of Qerim, Haslem, McNutt, and Brian Windhorst.
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"So happy to see #MonicaMcNutt & #UdonisHaslem on #FirstTake," one fan said.
"Udonis Haslem is great TV. ESPN has to hire him full time," another fan said.
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"Udonis Haslem seems like a super cool a** dude!" a third fan said.
STEPHEN A. IS 'EXHAUSTED'
Stephen A. expressed on Tuesday's episode of First Take that he is worn out from the NBA playoffs.
He joked with Molly that he needed her to carry him through the episode because he didn't have the energy.
"I'm trying to keep the energy going because you're a little bit depressing," Qerim said.
"One percent of the time you do have to carry me," Stephen A. replied.
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.
Stephen A. dropped his head down on to the desk to show how tired he was, but got put in an even worse mood when he remembered he has to cover the upcoming NBA Draft.
"Summer break's almost here," Qerim said.
"We just gotta let Bronny get drafted and you can go about your merry way. Let's keep it real."
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"Damn, I forgot," Stephen A. replied.
Stephen A. should be back on First Take on Friday feeling refreshed an energetic from his day off.
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