Host Molly Qerim provides ESPN’s First Take with perspective it desperately needs

When Molly Qerim officially took over as the host of First Take in September 2015, we wished her well in “the worst job in television.” Being stuck in between the ever-screaming maws of Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith had been a soul-sucking experience for her predecessors, deemed “ESPN’s Shawshank.”

A year later, Qerim has not only held her own during the daily hot take-fest, but her voice has helped alter the back-and-forth arguing contest and, sometimes, turn it into a three-person discussion with a bit more depth than any show involving Stephen A. Smith has the right to have.

The International Business Times noted last Friday’s episode of the show when Smith and Kellerman were discussing Brock Turner’s release from prison after just three months following a rape conviction. Kellerman started down a road that felt like it might be veering into something akin to victim-blaming when Qerim quickly inserted herself into the conversation in order to course correct.

https://youtu.be/Cn0a7sZ8EKQ?t=4m14s

Kellerman: “You know, I have three daughters. I’m going to have to let them know that… you have to be careful. Don’t drink too much. You know, don’t get out of control, obviously, but you know, sometimes when you’re young or go to college or whatever, a kid is gonna drink a little too much. Sometimes way too much–

Qerim: That doesn’t make it okay for them to–

Flustered, perhaps because he understood the ground he was treading on, Kellerman then basically shushed Qerim and told her “please don’t insinuate that, let me finish.” But the truth is, someone did need to say it and Qerim might have been the only person involved who could. She flat-out told Kellerman to “be careful with that statement” and while he tried to reclaim the high ground by saying he “wasn’t going where you thought I was going,” the point had been made.

It should be noted that, according to Qerim, she and Kellerman spoke afterward and there were no hard feelings. Smith even went on to thank Qerim on-air for interrupting when she did.

As IBT points out, some male viewers don’t appreciate it when Qerim inserts herself into the discussion of the day. But the host is proving that, when the situation calls for it, she offers an indispensable perspective that grounds the conversation and reminds the two male talents that they do not speak for everyone.

Another time Qerim made it clear that at least one person was speaking on behalf of a victim was during a discussion involving Joe Paterno and Penn State. On the topic of the school honoring Paterno during halftime of a game, she jumped in.

“I don’t care if he won the national championship every year, the fact that he turned a blind eye to these kids getting molested — I’m glad Penn State’s moved on, but I’d like to see how these victims feel. This makes me sick.”

Qerim told IBT’s Alex Garofolo that “when there is a certain subject matter where I want to get involved, where I think I could add to the conversation, and especially with gender issues, I appreciate having that voice and that seat at the table.” ESPN should appreciate it as well. Having someone like Qerim can help make the difference when some viewers, especially female ones, are looking for a sports debate program with a voice like theirs.

Qerim might not make the difference between you watching First Take or not. The truth is that the show still lives and dies by rants from the two sparring men on each side of the table (or TV screen). But knowing that she’s there to step in when the situation calls for it makes some uncomfortable discussions go just a bit smoother and everyone seems better for it.

[IBT]