Stephen A. Smith Takes to ESPN’s Streaming Hub to Chase Late-Night Dreams
Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorStephen A. Smith sees a chance to move to cool conversation after years of playing up hot talk.The popular ESPN host is best known for making the emotional, vibrant views on games, athletes and coaches that draw audiences each weekday to the Walt Disney sports-media giant’s “First Take.” Starting this week, he hopes to show ESPN aficionados another side, by bringing original segments and even celebrity guests to his new program, “Stephen A’s World.”You won’t find the show on ESPN, but rather its streaming-video counterpart, ESPN Plus.“You can already see me pontificating or debating, being very demonstrative, bringing some news to the question” on his regular show, says Smith in an interview.