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‘Did you miss me?’ yells Stephen A. Smith as ESPN star makes long-awaited First Take return alongside Molly Qerim
Smith and Qerim are back in the ESPN studios - but there is someone still missing
ESPN fan favorite Stephen A. Smith has made his long-awaited return to First Take.
The 56-year-old sportscaster lined up alongside host Molly Qerim and fellow analyst Harry Douglas on Monday's panel.
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Smith has been on vacation since July 2 with the show undergoing a number of personnel and scheduling changes.
He announced his return in typically bombastic fashion, bringing back the show's iconic cold open.
"Did you miss me?!" yelled the veteran sportscaster, who rocked a bright purple shirt and tie.
"I know you did, whether you want to admit it or not.
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"My man Brian Windhorst is here, he's a world traveler. He's been all over the place.
"Molly? I just don't know what the hell Molly has been up to."
Smith revealed he was returning in a message on X last Thursday, with irate fans claiming the show was "falling apart" without him.
And he confirmed his triumphant comeback is only temporary, with another vacation in the pipeline.
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"So I decided, let me take a break, from my break, to come in and break people's emotions and feelings," he added.
"It's only gonna be a few days, then I'm disappearing again."
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Smith is currently in negotiations over a new deal with ESPN ahead of his current contract expiring next year.
Reports suggest the ESPN analyst is eying up a $25 million bonanza, per Puck.news.
The deal would make him the highest-paid talent on the network.
Qerim's return came after she missed five shows last week after a brief cameo on July 11.
Molly made a big impact, pretending to storm off set during a fiery segment on the Dallas Cowboys.
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.
One member of the usual First Take crew still absent on vacation is Shannon Sharpe.
The NFL Hall of Famer continues to enjoy an offseason break after being rewarded with his own new mega-money deal.
Sharpe penned a four-year extension earlier this summer after impressing since joining First Take last September.
"I want to say huge congrats, you have been such an incredible addition to the show," Molly told Sharpe on air last month.
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"You skyrocketed the ratings, but you've been a great teammate.
"We're so, so grateful to have you. Huge congrats on your new long-term extension with ESPN."