TAYL OF THE TAPE
Joy Taylor barely recognizable in historic pic from Undisputed role with FS1 show off air after Skip Bayless exit
Bayless has revealed his plans after leaving FS1
FOX host Joy Taylor is one of the most recognizable faces in sports media, but in one throwback photo that wasn't the case.
Taylor's picture was posted by Undisputed on X and the throwback flick shows just how much Taylor has grown into her role on the sports TV show.
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Last month the network announced that her show Speak is being extended to two hours.
The show is presented by Taylor, alongside LeSean McCoy, James Jones, and Emmanuel Acho.
Taylor has risen through the ranks - and a throwback snap from her time on Undisputed shows how she made a name for herself.
The sports show posted a photo of Taylor to X in 2019 after she joined Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe for an episode.
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Taylor wore a blue dress with black leopard print, glasses, and her hair tied up in two buns.
Undisputed has moved on a lot in the time since the photo too.
First, Sharpe left for ESPN last year after an on-air argument with Bayless.
And Bayless shocked fans by confirming his exit on August 2 after eight years on the desk.
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The former FS1 and ESPN star also revealed he made the decision not to get a pompous farewell during his last day on the set.
During what turned out to be the last episode with him as the host, the outspoken sportscaster never brought up his departure.
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Instead, he confirmed the news in a post on X right after the show went off the air.
That was a surprisingly quiet send-off compared to the one Skip's co-host Sharpe got a year earlier.
Bayless said that he had decided not to bid goodbye to FS1 and the viewers while on-air as he discussed his career change on The Skip Bayless Show.
"After the show, it was brought to my attention that some on social media criticized FS1 for not giving me the same fond farewell sendoff that my former partner Shannon Sharpe was given," Skip said.
"That is not true. And that is not fair!
Joy Taylor's media rise
Joy Taylor has risen through the ranks at Fox Sports after joining the network in 2016.
She previously hosted Undisputed - where she moderated between Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe.
Taylor, 37, also worked on The Herd with Colin Cowherd and had her own self-titled radio show.
In September 2022, the presenter was announced as host of Speak, which she currently works alongside LeSean McCoy and Emmanuel Acho.
"I was offered exactly the same kind of farewell festivities that Shannon received, but I declined.
"I’m not very good at mushy-gushy, and I am definitely not retiring.
"I chose to just do the very best show that I could for my last show and then move on."
Bayless said he did his goodbye hugs off-camera while lauding Fox Sports for treating him well during his time with the network.
The sportscaster said he "immensely enjoyed every single day for eight years I worked there."
Last Take
Skip Bayless sent shock waves through the sports media when he announced he is leaving FS1 show Undisputed after eight years.
Last year he lost his FS1 sparring partner Shannon Sharpe to ESPN's First Take.
And that has thrown open the possibility of Bayless following Sharpe to ESPN in a shock return.
Bayless previously worked for ESPN for 12 years and sat opposite Stephen A. Smith.
But an ESPN spokesperson said, "We are set with the current ‘First Take’ rotation, and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors."
Skip added that fans would learn about his next career steps closer to the 2024 NFL season kick-off.
"I am very excited about what’s next for me," he said.
"And I can’t wait to reveal all of the above as we get closer to the launch of NFL season.
"For sure, this podcast will continue – hopefully, better than ever."
The future of Undisputed remains uncertain following Bayless' exit.
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TV listings initially had the show back in the usual 9:30 am Eastern slot on FS1 starting from Monday, August 12.
Those have been since updated with The Herd and First Things First set to air in the morning until Colin Cowherd's show comes on at 12 pm Eastern.