History
The show was originally hosted and moderated by Jay Crawford and Dana Jacobson, formerly of the show's predecessor Cold Pizza.
In August 2011, the show underwent a drastic format change. The former 1st and 10 segments were removed, Bayless' contribution to the show was greatly increased, and the show gained an increased focus on debate throughout the show. The ratings for the show have shown a drastic increase as a result, with a reported 58% increase for the first 3 months of 2012, compared to the same time in 2011.
On April 30, 2012, it was announced on-air that regular guest contributor Stephen A. Smith would be joining First Take on a permanent, five-day per week basis. On occasions he is reporting elsewhere; Rob Parker was frequently featured as his replacement until December 20, 2012, when he was suspended for comments made about Robert Griffin III; he would not return, as ESPN allowed his contract to expire, rather than re-sign him.
In June 2012, long-time host Crawford announced he would be leaving First Take in order to present Sportscenter.
On July 23, 2012, the show debuted a new set, a new opening song (Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two"),. It now features an open slide showing *Skip Bayless: and *Stephen A. Smith: arriving at campus. They are still in Studio E but they are in the middle of it, with a new desk.
In line with these changes, First Take introduced on October 1, 2012 a new permanent moderator, Cari Champion, a reporter from the Tennis Channel.
Previously, the show had a rotation of moderators, such as Todd Grisham, Don Bell, Cindy Brunson, Jemele Hill.
Host (Permanent)
- Jay Crawford: (2007-2012)
- Cari Champion: (2012–present)
Cast
- Skip Bayless: (2007–present)
- Stephen A. Smith: (2012–present)
Frequent Guest Analysts
- Herm Edwards: NFL Analyst
- Eric Mangini: NFL Analyst
- Matt Light: NFL Analyst
- Marcellus Wiley: NFL Analyst
- Lomas Brown: NFL Analyst
- Christian Fauria: College Football Analyst
- Danny Kanell: College Football Analyst
- Robert Smith: College Football Analyst
- Jesse Palmer: College Football Analyst
- Chris Broussard: Basketball Analyst
- Tim Legler: Basketball Analyst
Former Analysts/Guest Hosts
- Rob Parker: Analyst/Guest Host (suspended from ESPN on December 20, 2012; did not return to network)
Controversy
Through the show's success, it has also experienced substantial controversy and faced increasing criticism. The show has been criticized for what is perceived by many as its excessive coverage of the career of Tim Tebow. During his tenure with the Jets, in which he did not start in a game, Tebow was nonetheless often a leading topic.
As Miami Heat forward Lebron James began a series of playoff appearances with the Cleveland Cavaliers, host Skip Bayless became well known for his belief that James had been overrated by the media and not received enough criticism for his team's playoff failures. . Bayless has himself been criticized by fans as well as members of the media for exaggerating James' failures and diminishing his successes. . In an exchange with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Cuban argued that Bayless had reduced his analysis of the 2011 and 2012 NBA finals series to subjective assessments of player psyche rather than relying on objective analysis based on the schematic principles used by the teams in each series.
The show has also received criticism for its treatment of issues of race. During a discussion regarding Washington Redskins Quarterback Robert Griffin III and his commenting that he did not wish to be perceived solely as a black quarterback, frequent guest Rob Parker asked whether Griffin III was a "brother" or a "cornball brother." When pressed by host Cari Champion on what he meant, he mentioned that Griffin III had a white fiance and questioned whether he was a Republican. Parker, though, acknowledged that he did not have any information substantiating that claim. . In response, Bayless asked whether Griffin III's braids did anything to assuage his concerns.. To many, this exchange was part of a larger trend of the nature of the treatment of issues of race by the show. .
Read more about this topic: ESPN First Take
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