Fans wanting to see FS1’s “Undisputed” featuring Skip Bayless and whoever his next debate partner will be must wait until Aug. 28 when new episodes will air.
Bayless has been touting something big in his return, including seeing more of Grammy-winning rap artist Lil’ Wayne, who also is responsible for the show’s theme song.
“LeBron isn’t the only one in the lab this summer. Can’t wait to unveil ‘Undisputed’ just in time for football season,” Bayless said on social media.
But Front Office Sports reports that the reason the show is on hiatus until late August is because FOX executives are having a hard time finding a replacement for Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, who left the show after the NBA Finals ended in June. Sharpe and Bayless had teamed up since September 2016.
According to the report, there are several potential candidates to replace Sharpe, including in-house FS1 debaters LeSean McCoy, Nick Wright, Emmanuel Acho and Joy Taylor, plus recent ESPN castoffs Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson.
But having a permanent co-host to debate the cantankerous 71-year-old may also be a thing of the past. Bayless’ previous employer, ESPN, has “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith debating a rotation of personalities each week.
Bayless continued to stir up the pot saying, “Charles Barkley would be my dream debate partner on Undisputed.”
“I would dive out of bed every morning out here in Los Angeles at two o’clock in the morning to get to work with Charles,” Bayless said this week on The Skip Bayless Show. “Please, Charles, please come and please work with me, this ‘damn idiot.’ What a joy it would be to do battle every day with Charles Barkley live on television.”
