Let's be real for a second. If you tune into ESPN's First Take expecting a static, old-school lineup where the same three people sit in the same three chairs for five years, you’re going to be deeply confused. The show has evolved into a rotating ecosystem. While Stephen A. Smith is the sun that everything orbits, the female First Take cast has become the actual glue holding the chaos together.
It isn't just one person.
Honestly, the "cast" is a mix of heavy-hitting moderators and elite analysts who often have to double as traffic cops when Chris "Mad Dog" Russo starts yelling about 1950s baseball. You've probably seen Molly Qerim leading the charge most days, but the roster of women who contribute as analysts—like Kimberly A. Martin, Monica McNutt, and Chiney Ogwumike—has fundamentally changed how the show handles actual sports strategy versus just "embrace debate" theater.
The Molly Qerim Factor: More Than Just a Moderator
Molly Qerim isn't just "the host." She’s the point guard.
She joined the show back in 2015, taking over after Cari Champion moved on to SportsCenter. People often underestimate how hard it is to keep Stephen A. Smith on schedule. It’s basically like trying to herd a hurricane. Qerim’s role on the female First Take cast is unique because she has to balance the journalistic integrity of the news segments with the high-octane performance art that the show is known for.
She’s been through the Skip Bayless era and the post-Skip transition. She survived the Max Kellerman departure. Through all that, Qerim has remained the constant. What's interesting is how her role has expanded; she isn't just reading teleprompter lines anymore. She’s pushing back. When the guys get too deep into the weeds of a nonsensical argument, she’s usually the one to call out the absurdity with a look directly into the camera that says, "Are we really doing this?"
The Rise of the Analyst: Monica McNutt and Chiney Ogwumike
For a long time, the women on the show were primarily moderators. That’s changed. Now, when we talk about the female First Take cast, we’re talking about women who are there to break down the X’s and O’s of the NBA and WNBA.
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Take Monica McNutt.
If you haven't seen her go toe-to-toe with Stephen A. regarding WNBA coverage or the New York Knicks, you’re missing the best parts of the show. McNutt brings a specific kind of "New York hoops" energy that fits the First Take brand perfectly, but she backs it up with the technical knowledge of a former standout player at Georgetown. She doesn't just offer "takes." She offers evidence.
Then there’s Chiney Ogwumike.
She’s a literal active (or recently active, depending on the season) WNBA star. Having a 2-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick on the desk gives the show a level of credibility that "hot take" culture usually lacks. When Chiney speaks about player chemistry or the physicality of the paint, it’s coming from a place of lived experience. It’s not just a script. She’s often pulling double or triple duty between First Take, NBA Today, and her own playing career.
Kimberly A. Martin and the NFL Grind
You can't discuss the female First Take cast without mentioning Kimberly A. Martin. As one of ESPN's top NFL insiders, her role is distinct from the former athletes. She brings the "scoop" energy.
During the NFL season, Martin is essentially a permanent fixture. She’s the one providing the "I talked to a GM this morning" context that grounds the wild speculations of the former players on the panel. Her chemistry with Dan Orlovsky and Marcus Spears has turned the Friday sessions into some of the most-watched clips on YouTube. She’s sharp. She’s fast. She doesn't let the guys get away with lazy narratives.
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Why the "Cast" Labels are Kinda Complicated
ESPN doesn't really use the word "cast" in a traditional sense. They use "contributors."
The lineup changes based on the sports calendar. In June, you'll see more of Monica McNutt because of the NBA Finals. In October, Kimberly A. Martin is everywhere because of the NFL trade deadline. And occasionally, you’ll see guests like Andraya Carter, who has become a massive fan favorite for her laser-focused basketball analysis. Carter’s rise is particularly notable because she doesn't rely on gimmicks. She just knows the game better than almost anyone else on the screen.
It’s a revolving door, but a deliberate one.
The Cultural Impact of the First Take Desk
Critics like to say First Take is just loud noises. Sometimes, they’re right. But the inclusion of women in high-level analytical roles—not just as moderators—has shifted the demographics of the audience.
When Monica McNutt checked Stephen A. Smith on air about the visibility of women’s sports, it wasn't just a viral moment. It was a "state of the industry" address. It showed that the female First Take cast members are not there to be ornaments or to simply transition to commercial breaks. They are there to shape the conversation.
That shift didn't happen overnight. It took years of moving away from the "one woman, two men" rigid format into the multi-person "First Take 2.0" we see now, where the panel might have two or three women at once.
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Navigating the Noise: How to Follow the Cast
If you’re trying to keep up with who is on the show today, your best bet is actually social media, not the official ESPN schedule, which is notoriously vague.
- Molly Qerim: Usually posts her "fit check" and the day's guests on Instagram before the 10:00 AM ET start.
- Kimberly A. Martin: The go-to for NFL news updates that will likely be the "A-block" of the show.
- Monica McNutt: Active on X (formerly Twitter), often engaging with fans about the night's basketball slate before she hits the air the next morning.
The show's structure is basically "Stephen A. Smith + 2 to 4 others." Usually, at least one of those "others" is a woman from the rotation mentioned above.
Practical Steps for the Dedicated Viewer
Don't just watch the clips. If you want the full context of how these analysts work, you have to see the transitions.
- Check the Podcasts: Most of these women, including Chiney and Monica, have their own platforms or regular appearances on The Stephen A. Smith Show. You get a much more unvarnished version of their opinions there.
- Watch the 11:00 AM Hour: The first hour of First Take is usually the "big news" hour. The second hour—starting at 11:00 AM ET—is often where the deeper, more nuanced debates happen, and where the female analysts get more airtime to break down specifics.
- Follow the "First Take" Social Accounts: They tag the specific contributors daily. It’s the only way to know if you’re getting a "Kimberly Martin NFL day" or an "Andraya Carter Hoops day."
The reality of the female First Take cast is that it is a powerhouse of journalism and athletic expertise that has finally outgrown the "moderator" box. It’s a group of women who are collectively redefining what it means to be a "sports personality" in a world that used to only want them to read the scores. If you're looking for the most incisive commentary on the show, stop waiting for the guys to stop shouting and start listening to the women who are usually the ones providing the actual facts.
Keep an eye on the rotation. It changes fast, but the talent level is higher than it’s ever been in the show’s history. If you want to see the future of sports media, just look at who’s sitting to the left of Stephen A. on any given Tuesday. That's where the real work is happening.
Check the ESPN app daily for the live lineup, as "Special Guest" slots are often filled by these core women depending on the breaking news of the morning. Knowing the rotation helps you understand the "vibe" of the episode before the first scream even happens.