First Take Fans Want Molly Qerim Back

ESPN fans of First Take were not happy when they turned on the show on Tuesday and saw only Stephen A. Smith and Bart Scott in the studio. While Shannon Sharpe joined them virtually, fans voiced their disapproval that someone was missing. Everyone wanted to know where Molly Qerim was.

Here’s what fans have to say about Molly Qerim’s absence on First Take and a look at the behind-the-scenes drama.

When the show started, Stephen A. Smith immediately pointed out that Molly Qerim was not there. He revealed that he was sitting in her chair and he was in charge for this episode.

The intro was pretty funny, with Stephen taking on the leadership role and putting both Shannon Sharpe and Bart Scott in their place. He told them there were five rules while he was in charge: They will not speak until he calls on them. There is no cussing. They will address him as Stephen A. or Mr. Stephen A. They can’t bad mouth the producers. There can be no rude reactions.

While it was funny, fans wanted to know where Molly was.

“Umm, Molly, where [you] at? They need you, they all over the place today… Stephen A. is trying his best but, they missing you,” one fan wrote.

“Molly, what wrong with you? Please tell me it is a none serious emergency that is why you took a day off. We have to deal with a dictator today,” another fan expressed.

“Where’s Molly? Show is kind of a circus today. Bart is just a hot take guy, I don’t believe he even believes what he says,” remarked another viewer.

It’s clear that fans still love Stephen A. Smith, but they really missed Molly and hate to see her gone.

The five rules had some inside jokes in them. The idea of them calling him Mr. Stephen A and only talking when he says they can, as well as not bad mouthing producers clearly played into the backstage rumors.

There have been a lot of rumors about backstage turmoil on First Take. An unnamed backstage source said that Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe have created an uncomfortable working environment, where it is almost an “us vs. them” mentality.

It is so bad that when Chris “Mad Dog” Russo thanked Smith on a recent interview for helping him find a fresh start in his career, it made some people mad, thinking he was “choosing sides.”

Do you miss Molly Qerim when she is absent from First Take? Are you surprised at all the rumored behind-the-scenes drama on the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: ESPN, YouTube