“There are just certain things that you don’t talk about,” Sherri Shepherd said on her syndicated announcer today. She then pointed out that those prohibited topics were “politics, religion, and Rihanna vs. Beyoncé.”
Comments by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith to Shepherd on this latest issue sparked a firestorm of protest yesterday, not only from the Sherri studio audience, but also from Rihanna’s fanbase.
Here’s part of what the First Take star said. For context, Smith was asked for his thoughts on Rhianna’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime appearance.
I don’t want to say that I’m not excited. She is fantastic. I don’t want to go there with it. She is many things. She is spectacular. And congratulations on the new Mama Hood. One thing she’s not: she’s not Beyoncé. [Audience boos] The only reason I approached Beyoncé is because Beyoncé recently performed at the Super Bowl. And without Bruno Mars and Coldplay.
For Smith, who is ESPN’s highest-paid personality precisely for such hot takes, comparing two superstar musicians and choosing one over the other probably seemed like good television. But there’s a difference between comparing and rating artists in an inherently competitive arena like sports and comparing and rating artists in the more subjective realm of entertainment. Especially when these performers are two black women in an industry that still struggles with racism and sexism. Today Shepherd put her finger on one of those hot knobs.
“Stephen A., he’s used to being first take on his show,” the Sherri host noted, “and he’s used to a bunch of men. But he’s never come before an audience of women. When he did I was like ‘Oooooohhh.’ “
For his part, Smith apologized not once, but twice.
First, he released a video trying to provide context, saying he would compare everyone doing the Super Bowl halftime show to iconic performances by Beyoncé, Coldplay and Bruno Mars.
“Michael Jackson could still be alive and I’d say, ‘He’ll have to compete,'” Smith claimed in the clip. “I’ve always said that. I didn’t mean it disrespectfully towards Rihanna. I know she’s phenomenal and she’s my sister. Nothing but love for her. But Beyoncé is also my sister. i have love for both I just think Beyoncé is the greatest artist out there today.”
Just minutes after that video was posted, the ESPN personality called his TV comments a “horrible mistake” and “something suspected” in a series of tweets [sic] being a fun moment on the Sherri Shepard show is out of control.”
He continued, “Once again, I apologize to Rihanna. And to be clear, I’m a huge fan. Sherri and I were just having fun. That’s all.”
Terrible mistake. Something that was supposed to be a funny moment on Sherri Shepard’s show has gotten out of control. An overzealous member of my MGMT team – who has access to my account – posted something I would NEVER say anything about @rihanna, their fans or other artists. The post…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 18, 2023
Has been removed. My social management team will never make a mistake like this again. I apologize again @Rihanna. And to be clear, I’m a huge fan. Sherri and I were just having fun. That’s all.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 18, 2023
These posts had been viewed more than 10 million times as of Thursday afternoon.