Skip Bayless redefined NFL television along with Stephen A Smith as the dynamic dual force on First Take. The commentator parted ways from ESPN to join FS1 for his show ‘Undisputed’ with Shannon Sharpe in 2016. While the former co-hosts have drifted apart in their own careers, Bayless revealed the one quality of his fellow host that he didn’t like.
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During a recent appearance on ‘Pardon My Take’, Bayless stated that he doesn’t like responding to public opinion or getting influenced by it. However, Sharpe and Smith had a habit of scrolling Twitter during breaks, which the commentator didn’t appreciate.
“My days working with Stephen A and Shannon Sharpe, both of whom I love like brothers. My only grievance with either one of them was when we’d go to break and they’re looking at their phone and they’re scrolling, like seeing what Twitter said.”
The columnist mentioned that his co-hosts’ actions seemed like they were seeking “validation that they won the argument.” Bayless relayed how during his time at ESPN, Smith would get aggravated reading a targeted tweet during the break and later turn his anger on his co-host.
“In my days with Stephen A, one guy in Alaska would say say ‘You just got your ass kicked aren’t you embarrassed. And we come out of break and we go back on live TV and he’s angry at me for reasons I don’t know.”
Bayless shared that he would tell Smith that he’s “so much better” than that and shouldn’t need validation from internet folks. The commentator harbors strong views when it comes to social media and public opinions and doesn’t follow anyone on Twitter as a result.
Skip Bayless’ interesting Twitter presence
With 3.2 million followers and zero users followed, Bayless certainly has created a unique internet presence for himself. This intentional move is an attempt to keep his personal thoughts untainted by external ideas and present his genuine self to the audience. “You asked me about forming opinions, I just don’t want to be influenced by what anybody else thinks,” said Bayless.
Regarding Smith’s Alaskan tweet incident, Bayless commented that the analyst shouldn’t let online voices affect him mentally and change his behavior toward his co-host on the show.
“You’re Stephen A freaking Smith just stand on your own two feet… you don’t want to let them creep into your psyche and define who you are on the air, and actually have a role in how you’re gonna respond to me coming out of the next break.”
Skip Bayless marked the end of a long partnership with Fox, leaving his show ‘Undisputed.’ As a result, fans of the Smith-Bayless duo are eagerly anticipating a reunion, but Smith dismissed the possibility back in July.
However, the offer is open from the former FS1 star’s side. When asked about the possibility of working with his former ESPN co-host again, Bayless sparked hope in his fans, saying, “You never know.”
Whether we’ll actually see the two together remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, the two television personalities have made a name for themselves in the NFL world, with opinions that hold weight in the eyes of the fans.
