The announcement that Skip Bayless will reunite with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take” for a one-time special Friday sent sports fans and critics to X, where reactions blended nostalgia for the show’s debate-fueled heyday with questions about why the polarizing pair is returning nearly a decade after Bayless left the network.
Front Office Sports first reported Monday that Bayless will appear alongside Smith on the May 8 episode of the morning debate show. It will mark Bayless’ first appearance on ESPN since he departed in 2016 to launch “Undisputed” on Fox Sports 1. ESPN has described the reunion as a one-time event.
The duo’s on-air chemistry from 2012 to 2016 helped turn “First Take” into a ratings powerhouse, with their heated exchanges over LeBron James, the Dallas Cowboys and other topics becoming appointment television. Many X users greeted the news with excitement and calls for a return to that era.
“The dynamic duo is back 🔥,” NBA Central posted, drawing thousands of likes and reposts.
Another user wrote, “Skip Bayless and Stephen A. back at it, the debate diet just got spicier. Two takes, one Friday. Buckle up, First Take is officially a snackable must-watch.”
Media accounts and fans alike called it “the reunion of a lifetime” and posted fire emojis alongside photos of the pair from their “First Take” days.
Not all reactions were purely celebratory. Some users expressed skepticism about the timing and motivation behind the special.
“There must be a deal at play because otherwise there is literally no reason at all to reunite Skip Bayless and Stephen A Smith on First Take on a random friday lol,” one poster said.
Another wrote, “The sports media world would be stunned if Skip Bayless actually walked back onto the First Take set. Keeping an eye on this one, but I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Bayless, now hosting “The Arena: Gridiron” with Gilbert Arenas, has spoken in recent years about past offers to return to ESPN and his complicated history with the network. Smith has led “First Take” solo or with rotating guests since Bayless’ exit and Kellerman’s departure, and the show continues to average more than 500,000 viewers daily.
X reactions reflected the pair’s enduring — and divisive — place in sports media. While many celebrated the potential for classic back-and-forths, others wondered aloud whether the one-off special signals any larger changes or is simply a ratings stunt.
The episode airs live at 10 a.m. ET Friday. Whether it sparks a full return or remains a one-time throwback, the announcement already proved one thing: nearly 10 years later, the Bayless-Smith pairing still gets people talking.
