Smith joined the show remotely after watching the Milwaukee Bucks face-off against the Brooklyn Nets

STEPHEN A. Smith has admitted things aren’t always as they seem on First Take.

The veteran ESPN analyst, 56, called into the sports debate show remotely from Milwaukee on Friday.

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Stephen A. Smith (left) called in remotely to First Take on FridayCredit: First Take/ESPN

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Host Molly Qerim broke off from her introductions after noticing his video backgroundCredit: First Take/ESPN

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Smith admitted the photo was “a lie” and claimed Milwaukee had a blizzardCredit: First Take/ESPN
Smith was pictured in front of a glorious cityscape featuring clear, bright blue skies.

The stunning scene immediately caught the attention of host Molly Qerim during her cold open.

“It’s a feel-good Friday!” said Molly, who was the only member of the panel in the ESPN New York studios.

“Stephen. A, look at that background,” she gasped, breaking off from her introduction.

“Looking nice out there in Milwaukee, taking care of business with Giannis.”

“It’s a lie,” a straight-faced Smith replied to laughter from his two colleagues. “Television is amazing. It’s a blizzard here.”

“But it looks beautiful!” responded Molly.

“Why do I think he’s going to be a blizzard in person,” laughed guest panelist and former college basketball coach Seth Greenberg.

Smith is in Milwaukee after covering last night’s NBA showdown between the Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets.

Milwaukee extended their winning record to 45-25 on the regular season with a 115-108 win at the Fiserv Forum.

Stephen A. Smith unloads on Virginia coach Tony Bennett and rages ‘he should lose his job for causing flat-out boredom’
Chief playmaker Dame Lillard sunk 30 points for the Bucks, as well as providing 12 assists.

It’s already been a frantic week on First Take, with Stephen A. calling for the Virginia Cavaliers to fire “boring” coach Tony Bennett.

UVA fell to a dismal 67-42 loss against the Colorado State Rams in the First Four of March Madness on Tuesday.

“This is the first time I’ve looked at a coach and said they should lose their job for causing flat-out boredom,” the ESPN personality ranted.

SATURDAY MARCH MADNESS SLATE

12.45pm – CBS – Dayton (7) vs Arizona (2)

3.15pm – CBS – Gonzaga (5) vs Kansas (4)

5.30pm – CBS – Michigan St. (9) vs North Carolina (1)

6.10pm – TNT – Washington St. (7) vs Iowa St. (2)

7.10pm – TBS – Oakland (14) vs N.C. State (11)

8pm – CBS – Texas (7) vs Tennessee (2)

8.40pm – TNT – Duquesne (11) vs Illinois (3)

9.40pm – TBS – Oregon (11) vs Creighton (3)

(All times ET)

“I mean, be somewhat appealing. Pay attention to the audience. Read the room.

“It’s not funny, and I take no joy in saying it. But if it were me I’d fire him.

“Tony Bennett is a nice man and a damn good coach.

“I know he is, I’m not questioning his basketball credentials. But he has an obligation to be appealing to the viewing audience.”

First Take airs every weekday from 10am to midday on ESPN.