Skip Bayless to square off with Stephen A. Smith in First Take return after 10 years, but there’s a catch

After 10 long years, Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith will reunite on ESPN’s First Take on Friday, May 8, 2026, in a one-off reunion.

Front Office Sports reports that Bayless and Smith’s reunion is being described as a “one-time show,” not a full-fledged return for the former. This is their first time on the show together since June 2016.

While it’s a one-off for now, Front Office Sports compared the move to Smith pushing ESPN to bring Shannon Sharpe in a recurring role after he left FS1, telling fans, “don’t be surprised if this ‘one-time’ reunion with Bayless turns into a recurring element of the show.”

First Take’s Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith have a long history

Given that Smith is one of ESPN’s biggest stars, it’s easy to forget his humble beginnings with Bayless. Smith was initially let go by the network after his talk show, Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith, was canceled.

However, Bayless brought him onto First Take as a guest debater. A few years later, Smith joined Bayless on a full-time basis on the show, and First Take became an even bigger hit.

In August 2016, Bayless left ESPN to join FS1 for another debate show, Undisputed, alongside Sharpe. The show was later canceled in 2024 after Sharpe left to join ESPN.

Now, Bayless has his own YouTube channel and hosts The Arena: Gridiron with Gilbert Arenas. Smith appeared on The Arena, and Bayless waxed poetic about their “chemistry.”

“No one has ever quite matched the chemistry that maybe God above gave us,” he raved. “Can’t teach it, or coach it. It just worked, and it was entertaining, and enlightening. It was just fun.”

They will have a chance to showcase that “chemistry” at least once more on May 8. Fans won’t want to miss this edition of First Take.

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