Stephen A. Smith Introduces Excessive New Rules While He Fills in for Molly Qerim as the Host of First Take

With First Take host Molly Qerim temporarily away, Stephen A. Smith has decided to rule with an iron fist in her place. His first order of business was the introduction of several ridiculous rules.

This week, Smith has doubled as the debater and the moderator. It didn’t take long before that power got to his head, and his colleagues have suffered because of it.

Before welcoming them onto the show, Smith reminded them of “Stephen A.’s Rules.” They are as follows:

1) Wait to speak until called upon by host
2) No cussing
3) Address him at Stephen A. or Mr. Stephen A.
4) Don’t bad mouth producers
5) No rude reactions

“But before anybody — anybody — speaks, I want to state this: there are rules since Molly is off today,” Smith told them. “They call them, ‘Stephen A.’s Rules’ when I’m hosting First Take.

“Rule No. 1: Speak when spoken to! Wait to speak when you’re called upon. Big D, you understand? Damien Woody, you speak when spoken to! You don’t utter a syllable before I say so! That’s No. 1.”

As Smith read the rules, Woody, Dan Orlovsky and Kimberley Martin all had looks of disbelief. Orlovsky, however, decided to play along when Smith asked, “Are we clear?”

“Yes, Mr. Stephen A.,” Orlovsky responded.

Martin immediately pushed back on the absurdity of the entire situation.

“Oh, I know we are not doing this,” she said. “I know we are not doing this. Oh my god.”

Watch above via ESPN