Overview
- Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal returned on Oct. 22 with viewers and outlets noting the show’s trademark chemistry and tone remained intact.
- Under a licensing deal, TNT retains production and editorial control while the show originates from Atlanta’s Studio J with ESPN presentation elements.
- ESPN outlined about 20 regular-season airings around ESPN/ABC games, with appearances on Christmas Day and during the conference finals and NBA Finals.
- Barkley acknowledged pre-show nerves and called working on ESPN an honor, as colleagues joked about his workload and his noticeable weight loss he has linked to GLP‑1 treatment.
- ESPN’s Burke Magnus has said there are no plans to add Stephen A. Smith to the show, and Barkley has reiterated he expects to work roughly two more years before retiring.