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“He Regrets It”: Fans Forecast the Future of ‘Undisputed’ as Skip Bayless Misses Ex-Co Host Shannon Sharpe for the First Time in 70 Years

Published 08/29/2023, 10:42 AM EDT

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The famous, or shall we say infamous, sports debate show ‘Undisputed’, made a return recently after a 2-month-long hiatus. The show was earlier hosted by the controversial Skip Bayless and his permanent co-host, the former American football tight end, Shannon Sharpe. However, due to certain differences between the hosts of the show, Sharpe announced his exit from the network, Fox Sports 1, and as a result, from ‘Undisputed’ as well. On August 28, Skip Bayless returned with a brand new cast, announcing the revival of the show.

Since Shannon Sharpe’s exit from the network, the search for a new debate partner for Skip Bayless has been on. When the ‘new’ Undisputed aired on Monday, Skip Bayless revealed that his new co-hosts will be Keyshawn Johnson, Richard Sherman, and Michael Irvin. With a new format and a roster of opinionated analysts, the change should be exciting, right? Well, it seems like Bayless might not feel the same way, and this is why.

Skip Bayless could not get a word in

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The sports columnist turned TV personality has never shirked from voicing his opinions out loud, no matter who gets offended. Surprisingly, his extroverted demeanor, a characteristic that his audience resonates with him, was starkly missing from the entire conversation. A clip of the episode was shared by the official Twitter account of Barstool Sports.

Along with the clip, the caption read, “Skip misses Shannon bad… They won’t let him get a word for the first time in 70 years”. With each passing second, the debate between the three new co-hosts of Skip Bayless continued to grow more and more heated. Clips of the debut episode are making rounds on social media. All of them center around one theme, Skip Bayless patiently waiting for his turn to speak as his co-hosts continue the rant.

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When Shannon Sharpe left Undisputed, it was clear that another second chair would be needed to fill the gap. As Skip Bayless inked a new contract with the network for $32 million and a 4-year extension, Undisputed had to come back one way or the other. However, with the new voices overshadowing the oldest one, fans are speculating that the new setup might have a tragic end.

What is the future of ‘Undisputed’?

With new co-hosts joining the roster and Skip Bayless keeping uncharacteristically quiet, the speculations have gone off the charts. From funny retorts to worrisome guesses, the Tweet posted by Barstool Sports had it all. A fan, while commenting on the Tweet, suggested that Bayless was regretting bringing his new “dream team” onboard. The fan wrote:

Another follower of ‘Undisputed’ had a different theory. According to them, this was just Skip’s way to decide who would be the best match for him. The follower commented:

For some, Bayless’ quiet demeanor was a welcome change. Certain viewers liked him sitting and listening for a change. Someone commented:

However, for others, the change brought along with it a wave of worry as well as nostalgia from when the 71-year-old would readily participate instead of sitting quietly. The fan expressed their concern, saying:

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Several memes were also circulated in the comments, with this particular one emulating what might have been Shannon Sharpe’s reaction after watching the video:

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All in all, it was clear that the viewers were expecting the old skip Bayless, and were surprised with the new, transformed, and docile one that they got. For now, the future of Undisputed remains undecided. The subsequent episodes will provide more clarity on the relationship between Skip and his new hosts.

Watch This Story: Former NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe Channels Grandmother’s Wisdom To Reignite Gym Passion at 55

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Written by:

Apoorva Behl

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Apoorva Behl is a sports writer for EssentiallySports. With a range that would make Bruce Lee proud, Apoorva’s writing embodies the philosophy of "Be Like Water," flowing seamlessly between a diverse range of sports and sensitive angles. Her articles are known to resonate with her audience, earning her a common spot on the Editor’s Pick list.
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