STEPHEN A. Smith took a joke a bit too seriously on First Take.
First Take hit some technical difficulties during Monday’s episode, and Dan Orlovsky attempted to lighten the mood.
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During the episode, Shannon Sharpe’s audio cut out, leading to confusion among the hosts.
The crew was attempting to discuss Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters when they realized Sharpe wasn’t on the feed.
“Oh, I’m not hearing you though Shannon,” Molly Qerim said.
“Is anyone else hearing Shannon?”
Orlovsky was quick to think up a joke about the situation and fired it off for the audience.
“That’s the best part of the show,” he said.
For some reason, Stephen A. was not in a laughing mood about Orlovsky’s joke and quickly scolded him.
“Watch your mouth,” he said.
“Watch your mouth, Dan Orlovsky.”
Stephen A. might have thought Orlovsky was taking a genuine dig at Sharpe with the joke.
It certainly sounded like an overreaction based on what was said though.
Orlovsky is pretty good at setting Stephen A. off with his sports takes, but this was among the most awkward interactions the two have produced.
First Take fans picked up on how awkward it was and shared their thoughts on social media.
“Way to turn an innocent joke into an awkward moment,” one fan said.
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 is insufferable as a sports show persona,” another fan said.
“He better have not been serious,” a third fan said.
“Stephen A. Smith is a weak man,” a fourth fan said.
“Lmao Stephen A thinks he’s so tough,” a fifth fan said.