Savvy in session: Steve Harvey hands out common-sense rulings in new episodes
Steve Harvey is bringing his signature style — and common sense — back to the bench when “Judge Steve Harvey” returns for its third season, with an all-new episode premiering Wednesday, Feb. 7, on ABC.
After launching in 2022, this series followed the “Family Feud” host as he traded in buzzers for gavels in order to preside as judge in his own reality TV courtroom, acting as mediator in real-life disputes brought forward by real-life people.
“In the grand tradition of ‘Judge Judy’ and ‘The People’s Court,’ ‘Judge Steve Harvey’ is an arbitration-based reality show where a judge — in this case Steve Harvey — settles legal disputes between two parties,” claims Parade in a recently published article. “Unlike Judy Sheindlin and the late Joseph Wapner, however, Harvey has no real legal background at all, which means ‘Judge Steve Harvey’ is far more comedic in tone than a typical courtroom show.”
That is, namely, because Harvey himself possesses exactly zero legal training. As he mitigates disputes and calms tempers, handling issues ranging from unpaid loans and mismanaged funds to childcare conundrums and more, Judge Harvey sets himself apart by relying solely on his own common sense to determine right from wrong.
Parade went on to say: “If you’re wondering whether Harvey secretly went to law school at some point in his career, the answer is no: He has zero qualifications for adjudicating legal disputes. He says this isn’t an issue, however, because his years of life have taught him how to read people.”
When asked about his particular style of judgment, Harvey first told TV Insider: “I knew I had to just be myself. Most judges are interested in the law: These are the facts, and that’s it. I’m going to dig up the story behind why people came to court vs. what they’re in court for. I lean on decades of experience dealing with all types of situations and people, and I rely on my street savvy, common sense and humor to get it done.”
“There are little tells people have,” Harvey described. “You can see their eye movement and hear their voice inflection. I know this, so I get to the truth a lot better than most.”
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and savvy is the hand that bears the gavel. Court is in session, and common sense presides, as Season 3 of “Judge Steve Harvey” premieres, Wednesday, Feb. 7, on ABC.