Deadspin
We haven't received any definitive confirmation, but there are rumors swirling this morning that, after last night's taping of "Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith," ESPN executive vice president Norby Williamson — Norby! — informed the show's staff that the program has been canceled and will air its final episode tonight. The rumors are that Norby told all the swingers himself.
The show has been plagued by awful ratings since its ridiculously high-profile launch more than a year ago — the reasons for the low ratings vary, ranging from the general unlikability of its host to the fact that no one can stand the guy whose name is in the show — and Stephen A., a few months ago, seemed to acknowledge the show was close to shuffling off this mortal coil.
"I don't know [whether the show will make it to a second anniversary]. I don't know if I'm going to want to [continue]. ... For me it never has been about just being on TV. I'm about success."
We have no confirmation on this, and it could be bunk, but that's what we're hearing, anyway. A sad day. Totally. Seriously. Really.
The Post Where Stephen A. Calls Us A Liar, And We Return The Favor [Deadspin]
Our Field Trip To Quite Frankly [Deadspin]
(UPDATE: Synergy Sports has an email from a staffer saying the show is kaput. Here's what the staffer wrote:
"Hi, i work on the show and it just got shit canned today. No on knew until 5pm, we shot the last show before we knew it was the last show then they rounded everyone up and told them at the same time. I knew it was over shortly before it was announced when someone told me they were instructed to "change the locks" on certain equipment closets.")
(SECOND UPDATE: We now have official confirmation: The show's over, gang.)
(THIRD UPDATE: ESPN has sent out a press release about Smith's show ending, and it's after the jump. The show's not being canceled: Smith is "expanding his presence." Of course!)
> From: "ESPNPR"
> Date: January 12, 2007 2:11:42 PM EST
> Subject: NEW ROLE FOR ESPN'S STEPHEN A. SMITH
>
> For Immediate Release
> January 12, 2007
>
>
> NEW ROLE FOR ESPN'S STEPHEN A. SMITH
>
> Expanded Appearances on SportsCenter, NBA, ESPNEWS Plus Four Interview Specials; ESPN The Magazine & ESPN.com Opportunities; Last Quite Frankly Show Today
>
> Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's outspoken and insightful commentator, will expand his presence across numerous ESPN entities as part of a new role, it was announced by Norby Williamson, ESPN Executive Vice President, Remote and Studio Production. Smith will be featured more regularly and extensively on SportsCenter, NBA studio programming and on ESPNEWS, as well as host four TV interview specials surrounding big events. In addition, opportunities for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com columns will be explored. In turn, today will be the last episode of Quite Frankly, the weeknight interview program that Smith has hosted since its August 2005 debut.
> "Stephen A. connects with fans because he brings great energy, knowledge and strong opinions," Williamson said. "While Quite Frankly delivered strong interviews and discussion, this new role will provide a better showcase for Stephen A.'s impactful voice to be heard across numerous forms of ESPN media."
> In addition to the four interview specials, Smith will appear as a leading NBA voice for news, issues and analysis across all of ESPN's studio programming, including SportsCenter, NBA studio shows and ESPNEWS.
> Stephen A. Smith joined ESPN in 2003 as studio analyst on NBA Shootaround and NBA Fastbreak and as a reporter for other studio programming. Quite Frankly debuted in August 2005 as a 6:30 p.m. ET weeknight series, and was moved to the late-night time period (11 p.m. or following live events) in January 2006. Smith has been a sports writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer since 1994.
> Prior to ESPN, he covered news and sports at the New York Daily News (1993-94) and worked at the Greensboro News and Record (1992-93) and the Winston-Salem Journal (1991-92). Since 1999, he has also been active in television and radio, primarily in Philadelphia, but also on Fox Sports Net, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports Radio and CNN/SI, in addition to appearances on ESPN Radio.
Comments
I just received confirmation through ESPN Mobile.
Got that joke out of the way.
Quite Frankly, it's about time...
"I'm about success."
How's that working out for you? The best video clip you've had in 2 years was the shaky handheld NBA draft video where you depart to take a deuce.
Does this mean Stephen A. might actually sit in front of a computer now to write his columns?
I actually kinda liked the episode where Shaq took over and they renamed it Quite Shaqly.
Then again. Shaq is funny. And entertaining. And not a complete tool.
HOW WILL HE AFFORD ALL THOSE CHEESE-DOODLES NOW???
What the hell has to happen around here to get a goddamn "Norby" tag?
Bwah to the hah, Stevie.
I STILL EXPECT DELIVERY ON THOSE CHEEZ DOODLES, NORBY.
Good thing he's got his political commentary job lined up:
QUITE FRANKLY, I'M AGAINST WAR!
I am really liking what this Norby has to say, but I will not be subscribing to his newsletter.
Caps Lock on.
Commence commenting in 3....2...1...
IT'S JUST YOU AND ME NOW, VERY SMALL TEDDY BEAR WITH AN AIDS RIBBON. BUT FEAR NOT! WISE MAKES A DELICIOUS CHEEZ DOODLE THAT RETAILS FOR A REASONABLE $1.29 A PACK!
QUITE FRANKLY, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MORE EPISODES OF MADDEN NATION.
WHEN DO I GET MY OWN BOWTIE?
Got a call my broker. Got to sell all my Frito-Lay stock now.
Not that he went out on a huge limb, but wasn't that Shanoff's "cancelation" of 2007?
I AM WHO YOU THOUGHT I WAS!!!!!
quitehappythisshowwascancelled.myespn.com
QFWSAS will be replaced by Disingenuous Urban Chatterbox, hosted by Scoop Jackson. He will reportedly have trouble with subject-verb agreement.
by the way, this seems like a good forum to ask this question. Has Planters stopped making cheese balls? The ones in the cylinder with the yellow cap? I've been looking for them recently and can't find them anywhere. Help me Stephen A!
i heard a rumor that he has already been pining for a new gig.
"QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK I AM THE PERFECT PITCHMAN FOR YOUR PRODUCT!! HERE LISTEN: I LOVE CHEESY POOFS, YOU LOVE CHEESY POOFS, IF WE DIDN'T LOVE CHEESY POOFS WE'D BE LAME"
"SO... CAN I HAVE THE JOB NOW?!?!?!?"
QUITE FRANKLY, I'M PROUD OF MY JOKER-LIKE SMILE!
DAMMIT RASHAAN, YOU BEAT ME TO THE NORBY TAG JOKE.
IT IS AN INJUSTICE THAT THIS POST DOES NOT LINK TO THE DEADSPIN/QUITE FRANKLY FIELD TRIP.
And, to recap, the Philadelphia Inquirer fires David Aldridge to save money, but keeps this joker.
Oompa Loompa Loompity Dawesome
Quite Frankly Is Cancelled - Which Is Totally Awesome!
+1 Bort
I'M STEPHEN A. SMITH, AND EVERYTHING I SAY IS IMPORTANT!
Stephen A. got Schruted.
Apropos of nothing, DJ Gallo got a good Barbaro Underground reference today on the AM Jump:
Good news out of Barbaro's camp: The laminitis that flared up earlier this week has improved. So perhaps all the cards and letters from well-wishers helped. But there is also bad news out of Barbaro's camp: He apparently has some sort of brain problem that robs him of the ability to read. So, on second thought, perhaps the cards and letters had no effect at all.
Nice work, my friend, very nice work indeed.
"And, to recap, the Philadelphia Inquirer fires David Aldridge to save money, but keeps this joker"
Seriously? Didn't ESPN let DA go for Stephen A. Smith a few years ago too? I fully support a revenge/honor killing.
America, why do you hate black people/
-Jesse Jackson
+1 Bort for last night's Office reference.
I can't wait for Quite Frinkly, with Frinklin Comes Alive!
Perhaps his was caught groping interns at Red Lobster.
Quite Shaqly
Where else can you see Stephen A get made fun of? Besides Deadspin. And every other website not titled ESPN.com...
I'm about success.
Just as long as it doesn't include television.
I must say, DJ Gallo's really keeping Page 2 afloat.
WOULD ANYONE LIKE A COMPLIMENTARY "QUITE FRANKLY" COFFEE MUG???
Liza, at least he wasn't showing pictures of Lil Stephen.
(cue Springsteen joke)
I fully believe that if Ralph Wiley still walked the earth, we wouldn't have to deal with hacks like Steven A and Scoop Jackson "bojangling" to us honkies.
Rest in peace Ralph.
Norby Williamson hates black people.
Norby to Stephen A.:
PUT THOSE CHEESE DOODLES DOWN!
Cheese Doodles are for closers!
ESPN should have just let Scott Van Pelt host that show with his Stephen A voice. Now that's entertainment.
Oh, good god, I cannot wait for Scoop's column on this.
"In an empty, dim studio, darkened by the lack of light, sits one proud black man who dared to say what others would not dare, because they lacked his daring. But the spotlight will never dim on the daring. SAS will yell again. Much peace."
Norby Williamson probably hates his parents more than black people. That name is ridonkulous.
QUITE FRANKLY, I NEED TO START FILING FOR COBRA BENEFITS
That Quite Frankly magnet that Will snagged on the field trip has to be worth at least a dollar now that the show's been cancelled. Does PayPal handle amounts that small?
CAN SOMEONE CALL FACILITIES! THEY HAVE CHANGED LOCKS AND I CANNOT ACCESS MY DELICIOUS CHEEZ DOODLEZ
I can't wait for Quite Frinkly
No offense to FCA, but this would be better with Professor Frink.
"Welcome to Quite Frinkly, today we are talking NCAA basketball with former UCLA coach Steve FLAVIN"
I suspect the buyout on Stephen A.'s contract can be executed using CHEESE DOODLES!
QUITE FRANKLY HE JUST DIDN'T SPEAK LOUD ENOUGH ON THE SHOW SO HIS QUESTIONS WERE NEVER HEARD!
and I guess this means that SAS is no longer welcome in his own house.
Stephen A. will be taking more time with his family, where "family" implies "CHEEZ DOODLES".
Does this also mean no more in-depth scoop a.k.a. calling LeBron and AI's mothers to find out what the players are really thinking?
Seriously, I've heard him make reference to this a few times.