Skip Bayless’ return to "First Take" on ESPN last week boosted viewership by 24%, ESPN confirms to OutKick. The episode aired Friday, May 9, and averaged 647,000 viewers. The program is averaging 520,800 viewers so far in 2026. This was Bayless' first television appearance with Stephen A. Smith in nearly 10 years. The increase is notable. While "First Take" remains one of ESPN’s higher-rated shows, it has struggled to keep pace with the growth of surrounding programs. ESPN recently said "Get Up" is up 18% and "The Pat McAfee Show" is up 16%. "First Take," which airs between them, is up just 5%. Sports journalist and television personality Skip Bayless appears on television screens in the control room during the live filming of ESPN2's daily sports talk show First Take at ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Conn., on Aug. 30, 2013.…