Between his two daily shows, First Take and Stephen A’s World (the latter streaming on ESPN+), his contributions as an analyst for ESPN’s NBA and UFC coverage and a recurring role on television’s longest-running soap opera, General Hospital, Stephen A. Smith is everywhere you look these days. So naturally, Smith’s pursuit to conquer all things media took him to the late-night circuit, guest-hosting Monday night’s edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live in Los Angeles.
Kimmel elected to take the summer off, leaving hosting duties up to a rotating cast of celebrities including David Spade, Sarah Silverman, Sean Hayes, Anthony Anderson, Arsenio Hall, Wanda Sykes and Nick Kroll. Monday, it was Stephen A’s turn to fill in and the colorful ESPN personality didn’t disappoint, treating viewers to a spirited monologue covering everything from the viral “Milk Crate Challenge” (“What is wrong with these people?!”) to the dangers of Ivermectin, a horse de-wormer people in Mississippi have been using—unsuccessfully—to treat COVID-19.
Playing off his energetic delivery and affinity for impassioned rants on subjects such as marijuana and his beloved New York sports teams, Smith also starred in a pre-taped sketch, leading an unhinged meditation workshop while making sure to work in a few of his favorite catchphrases including “I’m in no mood!” and “Stay off the WEEEEED!”
Rap icon Snoop Dogg and Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix appeared as guests while Grammy winner Nelly capped the night with a performance of “High Horse,” the lead single from his upcoming album Heartland, scheduled for release later this week. Smith and Snoop both discussed their experiences with the late Kobe Bryant, who would have turned 43 on Monday.
“It felt like we both arrived at the same time. When he got to the Lakers, I got into the industry. It felt like our rise was together,” said Snoop of Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter accident along with his daughter Gigi last winter. “He was just so down-to-Earth and so real. That’s what a hero is—somebody that you can touch and somebody you can aspire to be.”
It’s been a whirlwind summer for Smith, who invited controversy last month by suggesting Angels star Shohei Ohtani couldn’t be the face of baseball because he needs an interpreter (he later apologized for those remarks). Smith may also be looking for a new cohost soon with Max Kellerman expected to leave First Take as ESPN continues to tinker amid the recent departures of lineup staples Mike Golic, Trey Wingo and Dan Le Batard.
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