The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: FULL SHOW: Let me explain about Serena Williams. Kanye West disrupted Grammys, now "X" banned. Release Date: February 13, 2025

Introduction and Show Overview

Hosted by Stephen A. Smith, The Stephen A. Smith Show delves into a myriad of topics beyond sports, encompassing entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics. In this episode, Smith addresses significant events and controversies surrounding Serena Williams, Kanye West, Diddy, Elon Musk, and Kevin Durant, providing his unfiltered opinions and engaging in lively discussions with guests and callers.

Super Bowl 59 Recap

Smith commences the show by recapping the monumental Super Bowl 59 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

• Viewership Record: "According to Nielsen and Fox Sports, more than 127 million people watched Super Bowl 59 with Philadelphia destroyed Kansas City. That's a new record for American viewership for an event across all platforms." ([02:02])

• Halftime Show Highlights: The halftime featured a stellar performance by Kendrick Lamar, including a 13-minute mashup of his hits and the anticipated "Not Like Us," a diss track aimed at Drake. Notably, Serena Williams made an impactful appearance, performing a Crip walk—an homage to her roots and former relationship with Drake. Smith comments on the ensuing controversy regarding his remarks about Serena's stage presence.

Serena Williams' Super Bowl Performance and Controversy

Smith delves into the buzz surrounding Serena Williams' performance and his subsequent comments about it.

• Serena's Crip Walk: "She was seen Crip walking to the song. For those of you who don't know, Williams once actually dated Drake." ([02:02])

• Smith's Commentary on ESPN's First Take: Following his ESPN segment, Smith received backlash for his remarks, which he defends as addressing male insecurities rather than criticizing Serena directly.

Discussion on Male Insecurity and Relationships

A caller engages in a heated discussion with Smith and guest Tori Cooper about male insecurities in relationships, particularly concerning women showing attention to ex-partners.

• Stephen A.'s Perspective: "Sometimes men are insecure... If your woman is showing any kind of energy towards another dude... That'll make me think, what's she thinking about him?" ([05:30])

• Caller's Argument: Men often feel threatened when their partners interact emotionally with exes, which can stem from personal insecurities. The caller emphasizes the importance of open communication in relationships to address these feelings.

• Tori Cooper's Input: Cooper agrees with the need for conversations between partners to navigate these insecurities effectively, highlighting that both men and women experience these feelings but may express them differently.

• Notable Quote: "The true end of any relationship isn't love, nor is it hatred, it's indifference." ([07:09])

This segment underscores the complex dynamics of modern relationships and the societal expectations placed on men to express vulnerability.

NBA Segment: Kevin Durant's Milestone

Smith celebrates Kevin Durant's achievement of surpassing 30,000 career points, placing him among NBA legends.

• Durant's Achievement: "Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points." ([36:31])

• Comparative Greatness: Durant is lauded as one of the top scorers in basketball history, surpassing legends like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in scoring prowess.

• Overcoming Injuries: Despite suffering a torn Achilles, Durant's performance has improved, boasting a 53% field goal percentage and 41% from three-point range since his injury. Smith emphasizes Durant's resilience and continued excellence on the court.

• Notable Quote: "He's a bonafide professional. Pure scorer. It's who he is." ([36:59])

Elon Musk and Trump Oval Office Press Conference

Smith transitions to the political realm, discussing a high-profile press conference featuring Elon Musk alongside former President Donald Trump.

• Press Conference Details: "Elon Musk, the world's richest man and new head of the Department of Government, held a press conference in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump." ([40:51])

• Policy Discussions: Both Musk and Trump defended their initiatives to reform the federal government and curb excessive spending, reflecting their shared political agendas.

• Concerns Raised: Smith voices concerns about Musk's unorthodox appointment and the potential implications for government transparency and accountability. He questions the checks and balances in place for Musk's role.

• Notable Quote: "Elon Musk is a problem. He is a problem because he's the world's richest man." ([45:56])

Diddy's $100 Million Lawsuit Against NBCUniversal

The focus shifts to media mogul Diddy (Sean Combs) filing a significant defamation lawsuit.

• Lawsuit Overview: "Sean Diddy Combs' lawyers filed a $100 million lawsuit against NBC Universal and Peacock for defamation related to the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy." ([52:57])

• Allegations in the Documentary: The documentary accuses Combs of serious misconduct, including sexual assault of minors and involvement in murders of rivals and close friends.

• Legal Implications: Smith emphasizes the importance of the presumption of innocence, noting, "Innocent until proven guilty in the court of law." ([63:38])

• Notable Quote: "This is America. You are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law." ([63:38])

This segment highlights the intersection of media, public perception, and the legal system.

Kanye West's Recent Controversies

One of the most intense segments, Smith addresses Kanye West's series of troubling actions and public statements.

• Antisemitic Remarks and Actions: West faced backlash for posting antisemitic views on X (formerly Twitter), leading to his talent agency dropping him and Shopify deactivating his online shop that sold T-shirts bearing a swastika symbol.

• Workplace Discrimination Lawsuit: A former Jewish employee filed a lawsuit against West for wrongful termination, citing gender and religious discrimination.

• Personal Struggles: Smith empathizes with West's personal losses, particularly the death of his mother, while critiquing his subsequent behavior: "No pain that I have ever felt in my life that comes close to the pain of losing my mother." ([57:15])

• Reflection on Mental Health: Smith urges West to seek help and reconsider his actions, aiming for a more constructive outlet for his pain rather than spreading hurt: "But he just seems to be on this mission. I just don't understand it." ([59:02])

• Notable Quote: "Hurt people, hurt people. He seems to be hurt and determined to distribute hurt." ([59:02])

Smith balances his critique with compassion, recognizing the impact of personal tragedy on West's behavior while condemning his harmful actions.

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Smith reiterates his thanks to guests and callers, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue on sensitive issues. He remains committed to providing insightful commentary on current events, sports achievements, and societal debates, ensuring that listeners are both entertained and informed.

• Final Remarks on Relationships and Insecurities: Acknowledges the necessity of discussing male insecurities and relationship dynamics to foster understanding and healthier interactions.

• Acknowledgment of Guests and Supporters: "Thanks again to the wonderful Tory Cooper for coming on and bringing balance to my discussion..." ([67:29])

Smith signs off with a promise to return with more engaging content, leaving listeners anticipating future discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “[07:09] Caller: You ever heard the saying, the true end of any relationship isn't love, nor is it hatred, it's indifference.”

• “[36:59] Caller: He was averaging 27.6 points since he turned 30. No NBA player in history has done that.”

• “[45:56] Caller: Including a lot of Democrats.”

• “[63:38] Caller: And by virtue of that reality, certain things shouldn't be exposed to the court of public opinion until a trial takes place.”

• “[59:02] Caller: Anybody just. Just Google Van Lathan, Kanye, I promise.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show encapsulates a broad spectrum of contemporary issues, from sports milestones and personal relationships to high-profile legal battles and societal controversies. Smith's adept navigation through these topics, enriched by interactions with guests and callers, offers listeners a comprehensive and thought-provoking experience.