Skip Bayless Is Beefing With Stephen A. Smith, Claims Smith Lied About How ‘First Take’ Started

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• Stephen A. Smith went on JJ Redick’s podcast last week and told a story of how Skip Bayless approached him to do ‘First Take’ because the show’s ratings weren’t doing well.
• Skip Bayless saw Smith’s explanation of the origin of ‘First Take’ and responded on his podcast
• Bayless claims Smith’s side of the story is a “shocking fabrication’ and scolded his former co-host in a scathing video.

Skip Bayless has a bone to pick with his former colleague Stephen A. Smith.

Last week, Smith appeared on JJ Redick’s podcast and said ‘First Take’ didn’t take off until Bayless practically begged him to come on because he claimed the show was not a big ratings hit at the time.

“Skip Bayless comes to me in a parking lot,” “He says, ‘I know you’ve got your plans, you love the NBA, you love being out on the road, you love being in the locker room. But I need you. I’ve done all that I could do to take this as far as I could go, I need you to do this for me, please.'”

On Thursday, Bayless called Smith’s version of the events a “shocking fabrication” and fired back at his former co-host in a scathing video response.

“WHAT?!” “I cannot tell you how wrong that was. It was so recklessly inaccurate. It was such shocking fabrication.”

“Stephen A., how dare you,”

Bayless’ comments garnered a hilarious reaction from Kevin Durant, who has gotten into beefs with both TV hosts throughout the years.