First Take in major set change with Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith’s return date revealed for special edition show
FIRST Take is set to air another special episode on the road.
Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim will front the ESPN show live from Fanatics Fest NYC on Friday, August 16th.
The stellar duo will be joined by Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and NFL analyst Ryan Clark on the set at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
First Take has revealed a couple of special guests who will come on the show.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero will make an appearance alongside comedian Drew Desbordes, better known as Druski.
The show heads on the road again after checking in from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in Chicago, Illinois, last week.
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First Take will be one of several sports shows to record live from Fanatics Fest next week.
Others include Clark's The Pivot and NFL insider Adam Schefter's podcast.
Several former and current athletes and A-listers will make cameos at multiple panels during the event, taking place between 16-18 August, too.
The stellar lineup includes Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jalen Brunson, Jay Z, and Spike Lee, among others.
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"The brightest stars from every major sport will converge for three electrifying days," Fanatics Fest organizers promise.
"Prepare to be riveted as you hear untold stories – their biggest triumphs, toughest moments, and the business and life lessons they’ve learned along the way.
"You don’t want to miss a minute of your sports heroes."
The stars will be available for photo opportunities and hand out autographs, per Fanatics Fest's website.
First Take viewers will be happy to see Qerim and Smith back together.
The ESPN star duo has been largely absent since early July, enjoying their well-deserved vacation.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
It's not clear if Shannon Sharpe will be present, though.
The NFL Hall-of-Famer is yet to return from his summer break.
Sharpe has not stopped recording his Nigtcap show, though, which he co-hosts with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson.
The two have been avid followers of the Paris Olympics, often sharing their thoughts on Team USA's performance at the 2024 Games.
Last week, Sharpe had a few words for Jamaican fans after Noah Lyles' win in the men's 100-meter dash.
"We ain't done," he said in a response to some of the mockery he saw following Sha'Carri Richardson's silver finish in the respective women's race.
"I got bragging rights. Can't tell me nothing. Nah.
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"And I want y'all to do one thing for me, all my Jamaican brothers and sisters.
"Stop the blood clot crying, brother."