During and after Monday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, Shannon Sharpe may have thought that football fans would engage with his assertion that Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill is the most valuable non-quarterback in the NFL.
However, Sharpe’s opinions and analysis weren’t attracting the attention of many viewers. On social media, the topic was how Sharpe looked on screen.
More specifically, observers were fixated on Sharpe’s makeup, which appeared to be heavy on the powder. That provoked several unflattering comparisons to celebrities as Sharpe became a meme throughout the day.
Here’s a sampling:
All im seeing now🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/kRgmxpU2bf
— 🅳🅴🅽🅽🅸🆂 (@dennis_k_g) October 16, 2023
Shannon Sharpe looking like a swole Little Richard thanks to the ESPN make up staff.
— Damien P (@DamienProduces) October 16, 2023
Why ESPN got Shannon Sharpe looking like CCH Pounder? pic.twitter.com/JPCcg8QBZI
— Lamont Price (@LPizzle) October 16, 2023
They got my boy Shannon Sharpe out here looking like Randy Jackson 😂😂😂 https://t.co/E7dXRjypJS pic.twitter.com/EWTgRNlxsP
— Hooksnhoopz (@hooksnhoopz) October 16, 2023
Shannon Sharpe must’ve got his make up done by a mortician or Grace Jones🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/qwqEDOb9Bp
— gee (@gary02512349) October 16, 2023
Sharpe became aware of the uproar and responded on social media, attributing his appearance to working with a new makeup artist for the first time.
Appreciate the concern over my makeup this morning on @FirstTake. This was her 1st time doing my makeup and it was a little heavy. My appearance is important not as important as my takes. Hopefully, the takes were gr8 as usual. #LipSparringChamp #BestDressed #Espn
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) October 16, 2023
Mentioning the makeup artist may have made the situation worse, giving detractors a target for more jokes and derision.
No she isn’t. She’ll get better with my makeup. Isn’t the end of the world https://t.co/rj4jLoyHtK
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) October 16, 2023
I’ll live and still extremely blessed https://t.co/CKA9Fmsqsy
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) October 16, 2023
Sharpe stood tough and defended his colleague, likely knowing this was a one-day story and wouldn’t be a trending topic again. Unless Sharpe sports a similar look on Tuesday’s First Take. Stay tuned.