10 Times Molly Qerim Forgot She Was Live on ESPN — And The Cameras Caught Everything

Molly Qerim has long been the poised, camera-ready face of ESPN’s First Take, steering chaotic debates between Stephen A. Smith and whoever dares sit across from him. But even the most polished professionals sometimes forget that every twitch, mutter, and raised eyebrow is broadcast to millions. From mouthing “WTF” on live TV to breaking into spontaneous dances, here are ten unforgettable moments when Molly Qerim momentarily forgot she was live on air — and the internet never let her live it down.

1. When She Mouthing “WTF” at Stephen A.

January 3rd, 2024 — Stephen A. Smith was mid-monologue about “growth and evolution” in the media when he suddenly pivoted to praising Molly:

“Once upon a time she was just a host — now she’s a supermodel in people’s eyes.”

As the camera focused on him, viewers caught Qerim in the background mouthing three unmistakable words: “What the f—”. The clip exploded on X and Reddit, with one viewer calling it “the realest moment on First Take this year.”

2. The On-Air Dance Move That Stunned the Studio

Back in June 2019, when First Take was riding high with Max Kellerman still in the mix, Qerim decided to join a conversation about athlete dance celebrations… by getting up and demonstrating one. Her shimmy-twerk combo drew laughter from the crew and a standing ovation from Stephen A. But once the internet got hold of it, the moment divided viewers — half cheering her confidence, half calling it “unprofessional.”

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3. The Foot Fetish Joke That Went Too Far

August 2024 saw one of First Take’s most awkward silences ever. During a segment about an NFL player’s social media activity, Qerim quipped, “You know, he might just have a foot fetish — maybe that’s a locker room thing now.” The camera caught Stephen A.’s wide-eyed “Woah!” as the studio went dead quiet. Within hours, The Sun and Outkick were dissecting whether Molly had “forgotten the cameras were rolling.”

4. Saving Stephen A. from a Live Laptop Disaster

April 8th, 2024 — midway through a heated debate, cameras zoomed in a little too far and revealed Stephen A.’s open laptop — complete with notifications flashing across the screen. Qerim immediately went into damage-control mode, whispering, “Close it. Just close it. They can see your texts.” Stephen A., naturally, ignored her. The moment went viral with fans praising her professionalism: “Molly tried to save him — and he just kept ranting.”

5. Calling Out Stephen A.’s Nonsense

March 20th, 2024 gave fans a rare sight: Molly Qerim snapping back. During a heated NCAA debate, Stephen A. proclaimed a coaching decision “the dumbest thing in basketball history.” Molly finally interjected:

“Stephen, come on. You can’t be serious. That’s absurd, and you know it.”
The studio froze. Fans online dubbed it “the day Molly broke character.” Even Yahoo Sports weighed in, speculating that the tension between the hosts might be more than just on-screen chemistry.

6. When Stephen A. Rudely Cut Her Off Mid-Sentence

February 12th, 2024 — Qerim was introducing a trade deadline topic when Smith abruptly shouted, “Hold on, Molly, I gotta say this!” and steamrolled into a tangent about LeBron James. Molly leaned back, folded her arms, and silently mouthed what viewers swear was, “Are you serious?” The reaction spread instantly on social media, reigniting debates about respect and gender dynamics on First Take.

7. Getting Publicly Called Out Over Caitlin Clark

September 10th, 2024 might’ve been Qerim’s toughest day on the job. In the middle of a discussion about Caitlin Clark’s WNBA impact, Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe turned their frustration toward her — accusing her of not backing them during earlier controversies. “They jumped on us as a show, Molly,” Stephen A. said pointedly. The double-team left Qerim visibly uncomfortable but composed. Fans described it as “a live ambush,” and clips spread like wildfire.

8. Mocked for Eating On Set

June 25th, 2024 — during a long broadcast, Molly casually snacked at the desk. Cue Stephen A.: “Don’t eat any, Molly. You’ve been eating enough lately — you even ate my cake!” He quickly added, “You look great, though.” The moment was meant as banter, but many viewers saw it differently — a classic example of the double standard female hosts face. “She can’t even have a snack without getting critiqued,” one fan tweeted.

9. The Coffee Mug “Intervention”

May 7th, 2024 — fans noticed Qerim’s desk cluttered with what looked like five coffee mugs. Stephen A. and the crew turned it into a running joke: “Molly, you running a café now?” Her quick attempt to hide the mugs only made things funnier. This one was all in good fun, but it showed just how hyper-visible every inch of her workspace really is.

10. The Human Side of a Perfect Host

Each viral clip — whether a dance, an eye-roll, or a muttered curse — reveals something that keeps fans watching: Molly Qerim’s humanity. She’s professional, sharp, and unfiltered in a way that cuts through the polished veneer of live sports television. And in a world where every second is broadcast, maybe the best moments are the ones that weren’t scripted at all.