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Stephen A. Smith not only hired Skip Bayless’ former co-host Shannon Sharpe to join him on ‘First Take’, but now he’s taking a victory lap after the latest ratings report.
This week, Bayless debuted the newly revamped ‘Undisputed’ featuring new co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson, Richard Sherman, and Michael Irving.
Skip’s new partners won’t let him speak 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/S3q65egZMo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 28, 2023
Unfortunately, according to a report from Front Office Sports, the new ‘Undisputed’ got crushed in the ratings by ESPN rival ‘First Take’.
The new cast and format changes didn’t help much for weekday morning show.
The premiere of the new and improved “Undisputed Live” drew 131,000 viewers on Monday to 448,000 for ESPN’s top-rated “First Take,” according to sources.
The gap widened on Tuesday, with “Undisputed Live” averaging 120,000 viewers to 474,000 for “First Take.”
On Wednesday, “Undisputed Live” plunged to 78,000 viewers vs. 423,000 for “First Take.”
The first three days of Bayless’ revamped program drew fewer viewers than Sharpe’s final episodes in June, which averaged 154,000 viewers to “First Take’s” 421,000.
Stephen A. shared the Front Office report on his Twitter page, and fans had interesting reactions.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 1, 2023
Nah your own brother is calling you washed @RealSkipBayless do something pic.twitter.com/cNTuBvNH4u https://t.co/gKPGCnpMs9
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) September 1, 2023
Skip when he sees this https://t.co/PK76NSGSwF pic.twitter.com/oLauyKS8OA
— ✪ Dubswrld30 (@Dubswrld30) September 1, 2023
he's calling Skip washed I'm in tears https://t.co/INFE464Fjv
— 🌸sports tweeter Matthias🌸 (tonesetter) (@KryzivenTake2) September 1, 2023
Stephen A. after he hit send: https://t.co/0zl2oqly6p pic.twitter.com/iRS844tWA8
— Black Kevin Arnold (@bnease) September 1, 2023