SiriusXM’s Michelle Beadle Goes OFF After Hearing That Stephen A. Smith’s New Show Will Take Her Time Slot — Says She Was Blindsided By Move
SiriusXM radio host Michelle Beadle didn’t hold back her disappointment after learning that Stephen A. Smith’s new show will occupy her time slot.
On Wednesday morning, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Smith will soon have two new shows on satellite radio. One will be a daily sports talk show airing on Mad Dog Sports Radio — the channel run by frequent First Take guest Chris “Mad Dog” Russo — and the other will focus on pop culture and social commentary. The shows will be added to Smith’s already-packed weekly routine that includes daily appearances on First Take, the thrice-a-week Stephen A. Smith Show, and a variety of cable news appearances.
Additional reporting by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand revealed that Smith’s sports show will be 1-3 p.m. starting Sept. 2. As pointed by Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated, that would be in direct conflict with Beadle and Decker — the show hosted by Beadle and Cody Decker.
Naturally, the hosts made it clear on Wednesday afternoon’s show that they weren’t pleased by news:
BEADLE: Man, all I ask is to be treated with respect. Well, how many times do I say I give what I get, I get what I give? And so, here we are. We’re gonna do our shows because we’re contractually obligated to be here. We’re gonna talk about [former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau] because, yeah, they fired him yesterday in the middle of this year’s show — which we both reacted to very organically and genuinely because, as much as people had sort of been talking about it, it still felt very, very absurd after a 51-win season and just being eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals. And I’ve heard so many theories; I’ve heard so many “buts,” and, “It’s time”; and I will never agree with anybody saying that. I think that is absolutely absurd, stupid, short-sighted, and asinine. But then again, what isn’t? So, yeah, 888-MADDOG-6 is how you can reach us today and it’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a fun few hours here.
DECKER: Yeah, I’m sure; and I’m sure no one’s feelings will get hurt in any way, shape, or form. 888-MADDOG-6.
Beadle added that they were informed of the shake-up just hours before the news broke. At the time, however, they didn’t know who’d be replacing them in the time slot. That was until The Hollywood Reporter published its piece.
“We were only given a few hours notice, but we weren’t told any details,” she said. “We were promised that no details would be released. We didn’t even know who was taking our place in the lineup, just that it was going to be announced that new show was being added. Unbeknownst to us, the Hollywood Reporter, of course, had all the details. So, it was a little embarrassing! I’m not gonna lie. I’ve been in this business for 20-plus years. I’ve been treated poorly a couple times. This didn’t feel good. I’m not gonna lie.”
