Skip Bayless: Stephen A. Smith has ‘greatest gift of gab in the history of television’

Over the years, Skip Bayless has become quite familiar with former co-hosts Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe. But in the eyes of Bayless, Smith has the one gift that nobody “in the history of television” can match.

Bayless spoke about his relationship with both Smith and Sharpe at length during his appearance on South Beach Sessions, which is hosted by Dan Le Batard on the LeBatard and Friends Podcast Network, where he detailed some of the differences between working with each current First Take member.

“I love Stephen A,” said Bayless when asked by Le Batard who he trusted more as a co-host. “I mean, we’re brothers. It was never brothers with Shannon. But I trusted him. I know Shannon Sharpe really well. And I love that man’s heart. I love that man’s backbone and his character. Trusted him with my life. Do you know how many race topics we did where I’m the white guy talking about Black Lives Matter? And I am very passionate about it, but he protected me. Stephen A. always protected me on any race topic. We had that… You go to battle that long. I lasted seven years with Shannon Sharpe. That’s the kind of format where you can be one and done. Maybe make it through a year before you burn out on each other.”

Clearly, Bayless has the utmost respect for both Sharpe and Smith. But it seems like his time with Stephen A. is what he looks back at most fondly, going to discuss his time with Smith in particular and call him the “greatest gift of gab in the history of television”.

“I love Stephen A. Smith with all my heart and soul. He is gifted beyond gifted. He has the greatest gift of gab in the history of television. And I fed off it. We were such a great, unpredictably great click from day one. We used to do Jim Rome’s show out here in L.A. when it was on Fox Sports Net called The Last Word. Jim would have us on as his wingmen on this half-hour afternoon show.

“Stephen A. was in Philadelphia, I guess I was in Chicago when we first started. It was magic from day one. I don’t know, I’m from Oklahoma City, he’s from Queens. Who knew, but I showed him from day one I have got nothing but respect for you. And I’ve got your back. But you have to let me go hard at you. And don’t take it personally or that seriously, we are debating. Back and forth in front of Jim Rome. And it just lifted off.”

Smith famously joined Bayless on First Take in 2012, truly kicking off the “Embrace Debate” movement that very much still exists at ESPN.

After the departure of Bayless from FS1 in August, there was speculation that we could see a reunion between the two on First Take. But that was quickly nixed by ESPN brasses.

Maybe one day we will indeed see a reunion between the two. But until then, Bayless will seemingly continue to look back at the good old days.

[Dan Le Batard Show on X]