May 14, 2025 • 9 mins
Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Now let's get to some headlines, or should I say
advice from Charles Barkley in regards to me. Barkley, who's
a friend and a brother, appeared on Outkicks Don't at
Me Podcasts with Dan Dawkish. Dan asked Barkley about the
(00:23):
myriad of places I've been seeing recently talking about sports,
politics and even acting on General Hospital in recently.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Law in Order.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Here's what Barkley had to say, take a look at
this place.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
So I don't want to be on TV more. I
want to be on TV less. I don't think that's
the stephen A. Smith method right now. I don't think
that's hotelience. That's not listen, that's not As a matter
of fact, I was in a studio last night and
I see he's going to be on Law and Order tonight.
(00:56):
I mean he's already on the he's already in General Hospital.
Now he's gonna be on Law and Order tonight. And
I was just laughing. I'm like, yo, man, you're starting
to be too much right now. Like you're gonna be
on CNN, you're gonna be on Foxing Friends, Now you
on General Hospital, now you're on Law and Order. I'm like, yo, man,
(01:19):
knock it off. Stop being on every TV show because
at some point people are going to regret. They're gonna
be like, they're gonna get sick of you, and you're
gonna be like, yeah, I probably did too much. But
once you do too much, it's too late, and then
people don't take you serious. And I think he's gotta
be careful in that aspect.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
First order of business as a full warning. Anything I
shouldn't say a full warning, just the heads up. Anything
that I say.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That is critical of Charles Barkley is all in fun.
That is my friend, that is my brother. I love
him dearly. I always have, I always will. He is
as real and as authentic as it gets. And oh,
by the way, weeks ago when he was critical of
me as it pertained to my response to Lebron James,
(02:19):
when Lebron James and I, you know, had our little spiel,
Charles Barkley and I spoke on the phone, and what
he said publicly is exactly what he said privately.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
That's my guy. But that doesn't mean I.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Always agree with him, and it doesn't mean that I'm
devoid of the right to call him a flaming hypocrite
when it's called upond. Do y'all have any idea how
many commercials Charles Barkley does a year? He'll tell us too.
Have you seen Charles Barkley in two commercials? Are you
kidding me?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (02:54):
By the way, the cat that you work with at
least twice a week during the NBA season, it's Seaquille.
Can we count the amount of endorsements he has? How
often he's seen everywhere? What new product he's pitching? Did
you say that about him?
Speaker 2 (03:14):
No? You didn't. But when it comes to me, I
need to be careful.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Oh, by the way, Dan dowcketsh see you know, you
know slickly brings up you know, me with politics and
all of.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
This other stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Wasn't it Charles Barkley who made news for years talking
about his aspiration to run.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
For the governor of Alabama.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Because that's where he's from before starring and orbing.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And all of this other stuff. Wasn't that him?
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I mean, it just amazes me how people could say
some of the things that they say.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Sometimes it absolutely positively blows me away.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay, because I'm not the one with commercials everywhere. I'm
working Fox and Friends. Know that involves early mornings. That's
a rare appearance that almost never happens.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
That's not accurate. ESPN is the worldwide leader.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
They have a multiple of multitude outlets, plus they put
me on their dot com sites.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Outside of that, you saw them.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
You see me occasionally on Sean Hannity occasionally. You see
me pretty much weekly on Chris Cuomo's show on News Nation.
He's a friend and he asked me to come on,
and I come on.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Where else have I been seen? Can we really really
get to the heart of the matter.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
And this is a director that Charles Barkley, this is
the director of all the folks out there.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
I'm making people very uncomfortable and I don't give a shit.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
You can sit there and talk about people not taking
me seriously all you want to.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
We'll see.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Because I'm a serious brother. That doesn't mean I don't
know how to laugh and smile and have fun. But
I know who the hell I am.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Talking about? Me on General Hospital?
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Why now, I've been on General Hospital for seven years.
It's a soap opera. That's not a sports show. It's
a different audience. I went on Law and Order, that's
the first time I've been on primetime television for anything
outside of working for ESPN.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
That's Law and Order. That's not sports.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
So if you're watching sports, chances are you're not watching
those other things. You might not be watching soaps, you
might not be watching Law and Order. So one would
argue I'm reaching a different audience and I'm expanding and
showing that I'm somewhat of a renaissance man, that I
have the versatility to do the things.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
That I'm doing.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
People saw me acting, they say, hey, does a good job,
and I'm supposed to scale that back because.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Of my conspicuous presence. Last time I checked.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
That's what we're in this business for, and the people
laughing and dismissing it. Are you trying to tell me
you would turn down those opportunities if it came your way?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Why are you in this business? Yes, it's easy for
Charles Barkley to.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Sit up there and say two commercials a year, even
though that's a lie because he's definitely doing more than two.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
But when you're making the money that you're making, that
you have been.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Making for years, you could afford to turn down those opportunities.
Don't bring up my contract now that was just signed
last month. You've been making that money for years, So
when we look at it from that standpoint, what's that about?
Speaker 2 (06:39):
And oh, by the way, when you see me.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
At other places, whether it be podcasts or other shows,
I don't.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Volunteer to go talk to these people y'all calling ask.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Yet you'll call and ask and then say I want
to be seen where you're the one to call or
ask me to be seen? Could it be because I
speak with substance that I have something to say that
will draw viewers and listeners to your respective shows.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing in this business?
Speaker 1 (07:12):
So Charles Barkler, you continue to do the great job
that you've been doing for TNT and next year the
start at ESPN.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Unlets Shaq market the hell out of himself the.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Way that he does significantly better than almost anybody on
this planet, and let me do what I do. I
have no desire to run office. I have no desire
to be a politician. I love talking about politics. I
love talking about social giving social commentary or social issues,
and I love talking about sports. And if that's somehow,
(07:44):
some way translates into me being in the mix and
people talking to me about a potential political position, so
be it.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
It's not where my interest lies. But I rule it
out because I believe I could win.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And I'll be damned if anybody, especially my friend and
my brother, who did nothing for years other than play
basketball yet repeatedly announced his desires to one day run
for the governor of Alabama, is gonna sit here and
tell me is a bit too much?
Speaker 2 (08:28):
It's too much. When I say it's too much, that's
how I.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Roll, respectfully, of course, And I'm be love for you,
my brother, Dan Darkish.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You're asking that question. I wonder why.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
If you're uncomfortable with the situation my brother, and you
got questions to ask, just call me. I'll come on
under one condition. You don't turn around and say, oh,
he just wants to be on another show. I actually
have things to say. I don't think anybody can deny that.
(09:12):
I'll leave it at that until a later date.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Anyway,
Now let's get to some headlines, or should I say
advice from Charles Barkley in regards to me. Barkley, who's
a friend and a brother, appeared on Outkicks Don't at
Me Podcasts with Dan Dawkish. Dan asked Barkley about the
(00:23):
myriad of places I've been seeing recently talking about sports,
politics and even acting on General Hospital in recently.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Law in Order.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Here's what Barkley had to say, take a look at
this place.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
So I don't want to be on TV more. I
want to be on TV less. I don't think that's
the stephen A. Smith method right now. I don't think
that's hotelience. That's not listen, that's not As a matter
of fact, I was in a studio last night and
I see he's going to be on Law and Order tonight.
(00:56):
I mean he's already on the he's already in General Hospital.
Now he's gonna be on Law and Order tonight. And
I was just laughing. I'm like, yo, man, you're starting
to be too much right now. Like you're gonna be
on CNN, you're gonna be on Foxing Friends, Now you
on General Hospital, now you're on Law and Order. I'm like, yo, man,
(01:19):
knock it off. Stop being on every TV show because
at some point people are going to regret. They're gonna
be like, they're gonna get sick of you, and you're
gonna be like, yeah, I probably did too much. But
once you do too much, it's too late, and then
people don't take you serious. And I think he's gotta
be careful in that aspect.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
First order of business as a full warning. Anything I
shouldn't say a full warning, just the heads up. Anything
that I say.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That is critical of Charles Barkley is all in fun.
That is my friend, that is my brother. I love
him dearly. I always have, I always will. He is
as real and as authentic as it gets. And oh,
by the way, weeks ago when he was critical of
me as it pertained to my response to Lebron James,
(02:19):
when Lebron James and I, you know, had our little spiel,
Charles Barkley and I spoke on the phone, and what
he said publicly is exactly what he said privately.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
That's my guy. But that doesn't mean I.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Always agree with him, and it doesn't mean that I'm
devoid of the right to call him a flaming hypocrite
when it's called upond. Do y'all have any idea how
many commercials Charles Barkley does a year? He'll tell us too.
Have you seen Charles Barkley in two commercials? Are you
kidding me?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (02:54):
By the way, the cat that you work with at
least twice a week during the NBA season, it's Seaquille.
Can we count the amount of endorsements he has? How
often he's seen everywhere? What new product he's pitching? Did
you say that about him?
Speaker 2 (03:14):
No? You didn't. But when it comes to me, I
need to be careful.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Oh, by the way, Dan dowcketsh see you know, you
know slickly brings up you know, me with politics and
all of.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
This other stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Wasn't it Charles Barkley who made news for years talking
about his aspiration to run.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
For the governor of Alabama.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Because that's where he's from before starring and orbing.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And all of this other stuff. Wasn't that him?
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I mean, it just amazes me how people could say
some of the things that they say.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Sometimes it absolutely positively blows me away.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay, because I'm not the one with commercials everywhere. I'm
working Fox and Friends. Know that involves early mornings. That's
a rare appearance that almost never happens.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
That's not accurate. ESPN is the worldwide leader.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
They have a multiple of multitude outlets, plus they put
me on their dot com sites.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Outside of that, you saw them.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
You see me occasionally on Sean Hannity occasionally. You see
me pretty much weekly on Chris Cuomo's show on News Nation.
He's a friend and he asked me to come on,
and I come on.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Where else have I been seen? Can we really really
get to the heart of the matter.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
And this is a director that Charles Barkley, this is
the director of all the folks out there.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
I'm making people very uncomfortable and I don't give a shit.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
You can sit there and talk about people not taking
me seriously all you want to.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
We'll see.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Because I'm a serious brother. That doesn't mean I don't
know how to laugh and smile and have fun. But
I know who the hell I am.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Talking about? Me on General Hospital?
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Why now, I've been on General Hospital for seven years.
It's a soap opera. That's not a sports show. It's
a different audience. I went on Law and Order, that's
the first time I've been on primetime television for anything
outside of working for ESPN.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
That's Law and Order. That's not sports.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
So if you're watching sports, chances are you're not watching
those other things. You might not be watching soaps, you
might not be watching Law and Order. So one would
argue I'm reaching a different audience and I'm expanding and
showing that I'm somewhat of a renaissance man, that I
have the versatility to do the things.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
That I'm doing.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
People saw me acting, they say, hey, does a good job,
and I'm supposed to scale that back because.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Of my conspicuous presence. Last time I checked.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
That's what we're in this business for, and the people
laughing and dismissing it. Are you trying to tell me
you would turn down those opportunities if it came your way?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Why are you in this business? Yes, it's easy for
Charles Barkley to.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Sit up there and say two commercials a year, even
though that's a lie because he's definitely doing more than two.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
But when you're making the money that you're making, that
you have been.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Making for years, you could afford to turn down those opportunities.
Don't bring up my contract now that was just signed
last month. You've been making that money for years, So
when we look at it from that standpoint, what's that about?
Speaker 2 (06:39):
And oh, by the way, when you see me.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
At other places, whether it be podcasts or other shows,
I don't.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Volunteer to go talk to these people y'all calling ask.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Yet you'll call and ask and then say I want
to be seen where you're the one to call or
ask me to be seen? Could it be because I
speak with substance that I have something to say that
will draw viewers and listeners to your respective shows.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing in this business?
Speaker 1 (07:12):
So Charles Barkler, you continue to do the great job
that you've been doing for TNT and next year the
start at ESPN.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Unlets Shaq market the hell out of himself the.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Way that he does significantly better than almost anybody on
this planet, and let me do what I do. I
have no desire to run office. I have no desire
to be a politician. I love talking about politics. I
love talking about social giving social commentary or social issues,
and I love talking about sports. And if that's somehow,
(07:44):
some way translates into me being in the mix and
people talking to me about a potential political position, so
be it.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
It's not where my interest lies. But I rule it
out because I believe I could win.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And I'll be damned if anybody, especially my friend and
my brother, who did nothing for years other than play
basketball yet repeatedly announced his desires to one day run
for the governor of Alabama, is gonna sit here and
tell me is a bit too much?
Speaker 2 (08:28):
It's too much. When I say it's too much, that's
how I.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Roll, respectfully, of course, And I'm be love for you,
my brother, Dan Darkish.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You're asking that question. I wonder why.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
If you're uncomfortable with the situation my brother, and you
got questions to ask, just call me. I'll come on
under one condition. You don't turn around and say, oh,
he just wants to be on another show. I actually
have things to say. I don't think anybody can deny that.
(09:12):
I'll leave it at that until a later date.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Anyway,
Host
Stephen A. Smith
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