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Undisputed (TV series)

{{Short description|Sports talk show broadcast by FS1}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox television

| image = FS1 Undisputed.png

| genre = Talk show

| creator =

| starring = {{plainlist|

| theme_music_composer = Lil Wayne

| opentheme =

| endtheme =

| composer =

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons =

| num_episodes =

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer =

| producer =

| location = Fox Network Center (Fox Studio Lot Building 101), 10201 W Pico Blvd, Century City, Los Angeles, California

| cinematography =

| runtime = 150 minutes

| company =

| channel = Fox Sports 1

| first_aired = {{Start date|2016|09|06}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2024|08|02}}

}}

Undisputed is an American sports talk show program broadcast by Fox Sports 1 from September 6, 2016 to August 2, 2024. Originally titled Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, episodes aired live Monday through Friday from 9:30 am EST until noon. The show was broadcast from the Fox Network Center in the Century City neighborhood and business district of Los Angeles, California.

History

file:Skip and Shannon Undisputed.jpeg's tenure on the show (2016–2023)]]

The series premiered on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) on September 6, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-skip-bayless-most-hated-man-in-sports-20160906-story.html |title='Most hated man in sports' tries to get viewers to love Fox |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=2016-09-06 |access-date=2016-09-11}}{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-skip-bayless-fox-shannon-sharpe-20160829-snap-story.html |title=Skip Bayless rising early, promises 'deeper' debate for new Fox Sports 1 show |newspaper=LA Times |date=2016-08-29 |access-date=2016-09-11}}

On June 13, 2023, one day after that year’s NBA Finals ended, co-host Shannon Sharpe officially announced that it would be his final episode co-hosting the show with Skip Bayless.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2023 |last=Chavkin |first=Daniel |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/06/13/shannon-sharpe-skip-bayless-emotional-thank-you-final-episode |title=Shannon Sharpe tears up while thanking Skip Bayless on the final episode |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US |access-date=June 16, 2023}} Soon after the show went on a brief hiatus the following month.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/sports/a/backwoodsaltar/undisputed-2-month-hiatus-find-new-co-host-shannon-sharpe|title=Undisputed 2-Month Hiatus to Find Skip Bayless New Co-Host After Shannon Sharpe's Departure|last=Price|first=Joe|date=July 7, 2023|website=Complex|access-date=September 8, 2023}} In late August the show returned with a brand new cast featuring former NFL Stars Richard Sherman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Michael Irvin alongside Bayless.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/media/2023/08/22/skip-bayless-announces-undisputed-dream-team|title=Skip Bayless Announces Undisputed's New Dream Team; Date of Next Episode|last=Rasmussen|first=Karl|date=August 21, 2023|website=Sports Illustrated|access-date=September 8, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/undisputed/undisputed-returns-monday-unveils-new-lineup-featuring-michael-irvin-richard-sherman-keyshawn-johnson|title=Undisputed returns Monday, unveils new lineup featuring Michael Irvin, Richard Sherman, Keyshawn Johnson|date=August 27, 2023|website=Fox Sports|access-date=September 8, 2023}}

On August 2, 2024, Bayless announced that it would be his final episode of Undisputed and that he would be leaving Fox Sports. On August 5, 2024, FS1 began showing reruns of The Herd with Colin Cowherd and First Things First in Undisputed's time slot with the fate of the show unknown.{{cite web |last1=Yoder |first1=Matt |title=Questions remain if ‘Undisputed’ will return to the FS1 lineup |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/undispusted-fs1-returning-ending-skip-bayless.html |website=Awful Announcing}} A week later, it was confirmed that Undisputed had been cancelled by FS1.{{cite web |last1=Axelrod |first1=Ben |title=Danny Parkins and Emmanuel Acho to reportedly join FS1’s morning lineup; ‘Undisputed’ won’t return |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/danny-parkins-emmanuel-acho-fs1-morning-show-undisputed.html |website=Awful Announcing}}

Cast

  • Skip Bayless: (2016–2024){{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/personalities/skip-bayless/bio|title=Skip Bayless Bio & Career Accomplishments|website=Fox Sports|access-date=August 13, 2023}}
  • Shannon Sharpe: (2016–2023){{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2023/06/13/shannon-sharpe-tears-up-final-undisputed-show-skip-bayless/70317685007/|title=Shannon Sharpe tears up in emotional goodbye to 'Undisputed,' Skip Bayless|date=June 13, 2023|website=USA Today|author=Mendoza, Jordan}}
  • Keyshawn Johnson (2023–2024){{Cite web |title=Keyshawn Johnson will join FS1's 'Undisputed' as Skip Bayless' new co-host, per reports |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2023/08/25/keyshawn-johnson-join-fs1-undisputed-skip-bayless-co-host/70682532007/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}
  • Paul Pierce (2024){{Cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2024/03/11/sports/paul-pierce-likely-joining-fs1s-undisputed-with-skip-bayless/ |title=Paul Pierce likely joining FS1's 'Undisputed' with Skip Bayless |website=nypost.com |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2024-04-20}}
  • Michael Irvin (2023–2024){{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Michael Irvin reaches deal to join Undisputed |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/michael-irvin-reaches-deal-to-join-undisputed |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
  • Rachel Nichols: (2023–2024){{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/media/2023/08/09/rachel-nichols-fs1-undisputed-skip-bayless|title=Rachel Nichols to join FS1's 'Undisputed' with Skip Bayless, per Report|last=McDaniel|first=Mike|date=August 9, 2023|website=Sports Illustrated|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
  • Richard Sherman: (2023–2024){{Cite web |last=Horton |first=Ari |date=August 28, 2023 |title=Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman Makes Debut On 'Undisputed' |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-legend-richard-sherman-makes-debut-on-undisputed |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}{{Cite web |last=Contes |first=Brandon |date=April 29, 2024 |title=Richard Sherman returns to ‘Undisputed’ for first time since DUI arrest |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/richard-sherman-returns-undisputed-dui-arrest.html |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=Awful Announcing}}
  • Lil Wayne: (2023–2024){{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-skip-bayless-confirms-lakers-fan-lil-wayne-co-host-undisputed-shannon-sharpe-exit|title=Skip Bayless confirms lakers fan Lil Wayne to co-host 'Undisputed' after Shannon Sharpe exit|last=Hernandez|first=Ernest|date=August 4, 2023}}
  • Josina Anderson: (2023–2024){{cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/undisputed-skip-bayless-josina-anderson.html|title=Josina Anderson to join FS1's Undisputed Cast|last=Novak|first=Chris|date=August 30, 2023|website=awfulannouncing.com|access-date=August 30, 2023}}

=Host (full-time)=

  • Joy Taylor: (2016–2018){{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/fox-sports-joy-taylor-leaves-skip-and-shannon-the-herd-jenny-taft-undisputed-moderator/|title=Joy Taylor leaves FS1's Skip and Shannon for 'The Herd'; Jenny Taft Named New Undisputed Moderator|last=Maglio|first=Tony|date=June 7, 2018|website=thewrap.com|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
  • Jenny Taft: (2018–2022){{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
  • Alex Curry:
  • Jen Hale: (2022–2023){{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/personalities/jennifer-hale/bio|title=Jennifer Hale Bio & Career Accomplishments|website=Fox Sports|access-date=August 13, 2023}}
  • Skip Bayless: (2023–2024){{Cite web |last=Contes |first=Brandon |date=2023-08-28 |title=Skip Bayless relegated to being Undisputed's moderator |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/skip-bayless-undisputed.html |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}

=Frequent & past guest analysts=

Theme song

The show's opening theme song, "No Mercy", was recorded by American rapper Lil Wayne, a friend of Bayless' and a frequent guest from his former ESPN show First Take. The song was written and produced by Jared Gutstadt, president and CCO of Jingle Punks Music, which had partnered with Fox Sports prior to the show's launch. The full-length version of "No Mercy" was released by Cash Money Records to iTunes in September 2016, and Lil Wayne appeared on Undisputed{{'}}s inaugural episode on September 6 and has since regularly made guest appearances.{{cite magazine|last=Platon|first=Adelle|date=August 31, 2016|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7494680/lil-wayne-no-mercy-theme-song-fox-sports-undisputed-skip-bayless-shannon-sharpe|title=Lil Wayne Helms Theme Song for Fox Sports' 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed': Exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 17, 2018}} In 2023, Lil Wayne released the new opening theme song for the revamped Undisputed called "Good Morning".{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-wayne-new-song-good-morning-undisputed-theme-song-1235402536/|title=Lil Wayne Pens New Theme Song 'Good Morning' for Skip Bayless Sports Show Undisputed|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|date=August 29, 2023|website=Billboard.com|access-date=September 8, 2023}}

Viewership

Undisputed averaged 107,000 viewers per episode from September 9 to December 31, 2016, and 155,000 viewers during 2017, representing a 45% increase in viewership.{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Maury|date=January 19, 2018|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2018/01/19/how-are-skip-bayless-colin-cowherd-and-jason-whitlock-doing-in-the-ratings/#763841d65598|title=How Are Skip Bayless, Colin Cowherd And Jason Whitlock Doing In The Ratings?|magazine=Forbes|access-date=March 17, 2018}}

During July 24–28 of that year, it averaged 136,000 viewers, 65,000 of which were adults in the 18–49 years of age range. Compared to competing weekday morning sports programs in the same time slot, it outdrew ESPN2's edition of Sportscenter (117,000) but fell behind First Take (320,000) in overall viewership.{{cite magazine|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=August 5, 2017|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/ratings/ratings-undisputed-fs1-outdraws-weekday-morning-sportscenter-espn2-two-consecutive-weeks.html|title=Ratings: 'Undisputed' on FS1 Outdraws Weekday-Morning 'SportsCenter' on ESPN2 for Two Consecutive Weeks|magazine=Awful Announcing|access-date=March 17, 2018}}

In 2018, Undisputed averaged 165,000 viewers, and in 2019 through August 9, 2019), averaged 169,000 viewers.{{Cite web|title=Skip Bayless 'still fighting' after three years at Fox|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/skip-bayless-undisputed-fox-1.35003567|access-date=2021-06-05|website=Newsday|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2018/05/10/fs1-undisputed-ratings-up-but-are-skip-bayless-and-colin-cowherd-worth-it/|title=FS1, Undisputed Ratings Up, But Are Skip Bayless And Colin Cowherd Worth It?|last=Brown|first=Maury|date=May 10, 2018|website=Forbes.com|access-date=September 7, 2023}} In 2021, the show averaged 199,000 viewers during the month of October, which beat the show's previous October peak of 182,000 viewers in 2019 and granting the show its most successful October to date.{{Cite web|title=Ratings - "Foxtober" Delivers Record Numbers and Key Gains Across Linear and Digital Platforms {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2021/11/08/foxtober-delivers-record-numbers-and-key-gains-across-linear-and-digital-platforms-960014/20211108fox01/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=S. V. G.|date=2021-11-12|title=Ratings Roundup: Packers-Chiefs Without Aaron Rodgers on Fox Tops NFL Week 9; NBA Viewership Increases From 2020-21 Regular Season Average|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/11/12/ratings-roundup-3/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=Sports Video Group|language=en}}

As of November 2022, the series' highest-rated broadcast occurred following FS1's English language telecast of England vs Iran, when the show averaged 499,000 viewers.{{Cite news|date=2022-11-23|title=Ratings: World Cup, NBA, college hoops and more|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2022/11/world-cup-ratings-streaming-telemundo-nba-ben-simmons-return-college-hoops/|access-date=2022-12-12|website=Sports Media Watch|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|date=2022-11-23|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Monday 11.21.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-monday-11-21-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|access-date=2022-12-12|website=ShowBuzzDaily|language=en-US}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite magazine|last=Casselberry|first=Ian|date=September 6, 2016|title=FS1's Skip and Shannon Undisputed is Skip Bayless unfiltered, if you can take it|magazine=Awful Announcing|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/fs1s-skip-and-shannon-undisputed-is-skip-bayless-unfiltered-for-better-or-worse.html|access-date=March 17, 2018}}
  • {{cite magazine|last=Katz|first=A.J.|date=September 6, 2016|url=http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/fox-sports-banking-skip-bayless-be-its-undisputed-champ-173265/|title=Fox Sports Is Banking on Skip Bayless to Be Its 'Undisputed' Champ|magazine=Adweek|access-date=March 17, 2018}}

{{FS1 original series}}

{{Podcasting}}

Category:2010s American sports television series

Category:2010s American television talk shows

Category:2016 American television series debuts

Category:2020s American sports television series

Category:2024 American television series endings

Category:Fox Sports 1 original programming

Category:Television morning shows in the United States