If you turned on ESPN at 10:00 AM ET this morning, you likely saw a familiar face, but in the chaotic world of morning sports television, the question of who is the First Take host today can sometimes feel like a moving target. It’s Molly Qerim. Almost always, it’s Molly. Since 2015, she has been the glue holding together the most volatile two hours in sports media. But "host" is a loaded term on this show. While Molly moderates, Stephen A. Smith is the sun that the entire solar system orbits.
The show has changed. A lot. It’s not the Skip Bayless era anymore where two guys just screamed at each other for 120 minutes. Now, it’s a revolving door of elite analysts—Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Marcus Spears, Shannon Sharpe, and Dan Orlovsky—all trying to get a word in edgewise while Molly navigates the commercial breaks and the ego management.
Why the First Take Host Today Matters More Than Ever
Most people think being a moderator is easy. You read a teleprompter, you say "coming up next," and you make sure Stephen A. doesn’t say something that gets the legal department called. That’s a massive understatement. The First Take host today has to be a traffic cop in a city where everyone is driving a Ferrari at 100 miles per hour.
Molly Qerim’s role is unique because she isn’t just a "host" in the traditional sense. She’s an active participant who often has to check the facts in real-time. When Shannon Sharpe joined the crew after leaving Undisputed, the dynamic shifted. The energy became more fraternal, but also more competitive. If you're watching today, you're seeing a production that relies on "The 1A"—Stephen A. Smith—and a supporting cast that changes based on the sport of the season.
The Shannon Sharpe Factor
Since Unc joined the team, the ratings have basically gone into orbit. It’s a weird chemistry that shouldn’t work, but does. Shannon brings a specific type of Pro Football Hall of Fame credibility that balances Stephen A.’s "I talked to the owner" perspective. On Mondays during NFL season, the show is essentially a three-headed monster. Molly has to balance the "Club Shay Shay" energy with the rigid structure of a live Disney-owned broadcast.
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The Rotation: Who Else Steps In?
Sometimes Molly isn't there. People freak out on Twitter. They ask, "Where is Molly Qerim?" Usually, she’s just taking a well-deserved day off or filming a special segment. When that happens, the First Take host today is usually a heavy hitter from the ESPN roster.
Victoria Arlen often fills the seat. She’s got an incredible story—overcoming transverse myelitis and polyneuropathy to become a gold medalist and a TV star. Her vibe is different; it's more upbeat, less "New York attitude" than Molly's, but she handles the guys just as well. Occasionally, you’ll see Cassidy Hubbarth or even Field Yates jump into the mix depending on the lead-in.
Then there's the "guest host" phenomenon.
Sometimes the show travels. If they’re at the Super Bowl or the NBA Finals, the hosting duties get shared. But honestly, the core identity of the show is built on the stability of the moderator. Without a strong host, the show descends into "First Take" parodies where everyone is just yelling about the Dallas Cowboys without any context.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Host's Job
There’s this weird misconception that the host doesn't need to know sports. Listen to Molly Qerim talk about the NBA or the UFC. She knows her stuff. You can't moderate a debate between Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark about "Cover 2" defense if you don't know what a safety does.
The job is about timing.
ESPN has strict windows. If Stephen A. starts a rant about the Knicks with 45 seconds left before a hard break, the First Take host today has to find a way to kill that momentum without killing the vibe. It's a high-wire act.
- Fact Checking: If an analyst says a player is a free agent when they aren't, the host has to fix it.
- Transitioning: Moving from a somber segment about a coaching firing to a goofy "A-List" segment.
- Engagement: Monitoring what’s trending on social media to pull into the conversation.
The Evolution of the Moderator Role
Go back to 2007. The show was Cold Pizza. It was a different beast. The host was more of a traditional journalist. But as the show became "First Take" and moved to Seaport Studios in New York, the host became a personality. Molly Qerim is a celeb in her own right now. Her fashion, her takes, and her ability to clap back at Stephen A. Smith are part of the draw.
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When you look for the First Take host today, you’re looking for the person who can survive the "Mad Dog" Russo hurricane. Every Wednesday, Chris Russo comes on for "What Are You Mad About?" and it is pure, unadulterated chaos. He’s throwing papers, he’s screaming about baseball in the 1950s, and the host has to keep the show from literally falling apart.
How to Keep Up With the Daily Lineup
If you want to know the specific lineup for tomorrow or the rest of the week, the best place isn't actually the ESPN website—it’s the show's social media. The First Take Twitter (X) and Instagram accounts usually post the "Starting Lineup" around 9:30 AM ET.
- Check the "Starting Lineup" graphics: They usually feature the three or four main faces for that day's episodes.
- Follow the producers: Guys like Shaun "Big Sacc" Alexander often give behind-the-scenes looks at who is in the building.
- The Opening Monologue: Stephen A. Smith usually announces who is "in the house" within the first three minutes of the broadcast.
The show is essentially a live soap opera for sports fans. The First Take host today is the narrator. Whether it’s Molly, Victoria, or a guest, they are the ones who ensure that the debate stays on the rails—mostly.
What to Do Next
To get the most out of your morning sports viewing, don't just watch the clips on YouTube. The real magic (and the funniest errors) happens in the transitions. Watch how the host handles the handoff from Get Up! in the morning. Notice the body language when Stephen A. says something truly outlandish.
If you're looking for the specific lineup, follow the official First Take social accounts or tune in exactly at 10:00 AM ET. The chemistry changes daily based on who is sitting in that chair, and that's exactly why the show has remained at the top of the ratings for over a decade. Pay attention to the "B-roll" footage and the live crowd interactions if they are on the road—that's where the host's ability to manage a live environment really shines.