On the 12/12/2022 episode of Skip and Shannon Undisputed, the duo shared a heated argument that nearly spiraled out of control.
On a topic dealing with Tom Brady and his team's disastrous defeat the previous Sunday against the 49ers, Skip commented that, based on Shannon’s constant critiques of Brady, he was jealous of the 45-year-old quarterback and his growing legacy, comparing their ages and the fact that Shannon retired at a much earlier age. This caused Shannon to vehemently defend his honor and the point he was trying to make, that Brady has not played well this year and Skip's refusal to acknowledge it.
Skip: He is still playing at a high level at 45 when you had to stop at 35!
Shannon: I’m in the Fn’ Hall of Fame! I got three Super Bowls!
Skip: So What? He’s way better than you were!
The discussion became more serious than the viewer could imagine when Shannon took off his glasses and raised his voice to the point where he nearly exploded. Skip, as usual, stayed calm, and to diffuse the situation, he told Shannon to put his glasses back on, almost like a father scolding a child.
The segment trended on Twitter, as normal people, journalists, and athletes expressed their opinions. As expected, most folks sided with Shannon and rebuked Skip for his seemingly callous antic. The few people on Skip’s side disregarded the comment as offensive and took it as just another entertainment ploy.
Undisputed has been airing for over six years and has been one of FS1’s most popular shows since its debut. Every weekday morning, Skip and Shannon debate over various NFL and NBA topics, and at times, they will share opinions on sensitive subjects unrelated to sports, such as the George Floyd tragedy.
Both display sheer passion, which at times can come off as comical rather than serious.
As someone who has followed the show since its inception, I leave every episode feeling inspired, and most importantly, entertained.
The internet’s support for Shannon after their quarrel shows how much the sports community does not like Skip. He has been known to say controversial things that offend some or most people, such as his 2020 remark about Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott. In an interview, Prescott revealed his fight against depression and mental health while being quarantined during and after the death of his brother. Skip made a careless comment describing Prescott’s confession as a lack of leadership, which upset the sports world.
Ironically, he is also a hardcore Cowboys fan.
To the sports community, Skip’s recent quarrel with Shannon is further evidence that he is too irresponsible to be on television. Some may say his cynicism can persuade others to incite dangerous rhetoric designed to create mayhem.
In most eyes, he is a sad, stubborn, conceited, obsessive-compulsive old man stuck in his ways.
Shannon, at the time I am writing this, has not publicly commented about the quarrel, and he is not obligated to do so.
Based on their television interactions, it is safe to say the two at least respect each other. Shannon says Skip’s name at least 30 times in an episode—up to three times in a sentence. That's more than respect.
They joke together. There have been moments when they commend each other’s accomplishments. They fist bump at the beginning of each show—mostly misses, however.
The most significant signs of their friendship are the Dew bets. Skip and Shannon will place bets against each other on a game using Diet Mountain Dew as the prize--putting their Dew where their mouth is.
Two people that share a relationship will have an argument every now and then, and Skip and Shannon are certainly no exception. But will one on-air insult force a strong-minded NFL Hall of Famer to quit?
Has Shannon Sharpe finally had enough of Skip Bayless?
Apparently, many people in the sports community have had enough of Skip. They share Shannon’s frustrations and demand justice in the form of an apology. But those familiar with Skip Bayless know that he never apologizes.
Or perhaps he already apologized during the commercial break.
It is difficult to affirm that Skip truly does not respect Shannon. The insult during the argument didn't sound malicious. Skip was animated, as he usually is, and ranted with the same, unrealistic, uncontrollable tone he uses during his Cowboy rants. They're never taken seriously, and neither should his insult to Shannon.
The on-air quarrel and the absence of an apology do not mean Shannon Sharpe will quit the show. Again, friends and colleagues fight all the time and manage to forgive each other in the end.
One would say based on the show’s tiresome discussions about the Cowboys, LeBron James, the Cowboys, Tom Brady, and most importantly, the Cowboys, that Shannon would be dying to leave this program of repetitive topics.
With the recent heated argument mixed with Skip’s annoying and sometimes callous antics, the popular opinion of him is he is unbearable to work with.
But no one knows what Shannon Sharpe thinks except for Shannon Sharpe.
He once said on the show that he will stay until Skip retires. However, if he changes his mind, he could decide not to renew his contract whenever it ends. But it won't be because of one quarrel.
One of the main agendas of the program is to entertain the audience. Whether a person was insulted by Skip’s remarks or simply enthralled by the discussion, at the end of the segment, that person felt entertained.
The show is intended to bring out the raw personalities of both hosts. This is a sports debate show where the moderator NEVER intervenes. The debaters are meant to argue as if they were in an actual boxing match, which is why the TV spots emphasize a fighting atmosphere. The show is not designed to be a civilized conversation between two distinguished gentlemen. This is supposed to be a fight.
Now, the world is talking about Undisputed. Mission accomplished.
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