He’s Still Here: Stephen A. Smith Pt. 2
Summary
Cari Champion confronts Stephen A. Smith on her podcast about his past claims regarding her hiring on First Take. They debate whether Smith discovered her or if she earned the role through her own efforts, with Smith insisting he convinced Skip Bayless to hire her. The discussion also covers the hostile work environment, the Ray Rice controversy, and Smith’s lack of support for Black women, highlighting their conflicting memories of their professional relationship.
Topics discussed
Intro, Booking.com ad, and sponsor acknowledgments
ChatGPT and Vital Proteins advertisements
Carrie Champion confronts Stephen A. about hiring narrative
Dispute over who recruited Carrie and Skip Bayless's role
Carrie defends her hard work and merit in getting the job
Stephen A. acknowledges Carrie's effort but defends his role
Debate on Jamie Horowitz's hiring authority and Skip's influence
Booking.com, Capital One, and YouTube Premium ads
Rochelle Humes joins to discuss the toxic environment on First Take
Discussion on the show's dynamic and lack of support for Black women
Stephen A. explains his debate style and the show's mandate
Ads and transition back to the Ray Rice controversy discussion
Recap of the Ray Rice incident and Stephen A.'s suspension
Skip Bayless's reaction and the apology process
Carrie and Rochelle express feeling unsupported during the crisis
Ads and Stephen A.'s reflection on the 10-year silence
Stephen A. apologizes for making Carrie feel unheard
Discussion on political views and accountability within the community
Closing thoughts on their relationship and future interactions
Final thanks, ads, and Black Week promotion
Listen ad-free on Castria