Steve Harvey issues verdicts as judge in prime-time show
Steve Harvey has never been to law school. He has no legal degree.
But millions have listened to the comic’s advice on his multiple talk shows and purchased his many bestselling self-help books. So it only seems natural for the man to star in his own prime-time show on ABC dubbed “Judge Steve Harvey,” which airs Tuesdays on ABC and is also available on Hulu.
And while the small claims cases are similar to those seen on the likes of “People’s Court,” the secret sauce is Harvey’s knack for interacting with people and entertaining the audience.
The cases could be two neighbors squabbling over a damaged fence, a son who won’t pay rent or a woman who used money her sister set aside for their brother’s funeral for plastic surgery.
Myeshia Mizuno, one of the show’s executive producers, said the basic concept came from the fertile mind of Harvey himself.
“He has a wealth of knowledge,” said Mizuno. “He has such a unique history himself. He went from rags to riches. He relates to people. He can sometimes be unpolished, and people appreciate that.”
Mizuno said she just had to find entertaining people who could tell their stories succinctly.
Harvey, 64, during the first episode doesn’t even pretend he is personifying an actual judge. When an evasive defendant who had just admitted using funeral money for liposuction utters, “I plead the fifth,” Harvey cracks, “You must think this is real court!” He then bangs his gavel several times while laughing.
“That’s funny,” he adds “It’s too late to plead the fifth!”
He then leaves the bench area and summarizes the situation while pacing in front of the plaintiff and defendant like an attorney.
Unlike a real courtroom, the audience is free to stand, cheer, whoop and boo. And Harvey even uses a catchphrase after he makes his verdict: “That’s the way I see it!” Indeed, his verdicts are from the gut, based on his own internal logic as opposed to particular case law.
And the always welldressed comic decided to ditch the traditional robe. Instead, he dons a custom-made black Dolce & Gabbana suit over a crisp black shirt.
The producers did opt for authenticity in one area: a genuine bailiff in 52-year-old Nancy Price, who works at the Douglas County sheriff ’s office in Georgia part-time.
Price said she was amazed how cogently Harvey could grasp a case’s nuances, calling him a “quick study.”
In fact, she thinks if Harvey had gone to law school, he would have made an excellent real judge.
“He’s got common sense, and he cares about people,” she said. “In real court, the judges don’t care if the plaintiff and defendant were best friends or brother and sister. He makes this personal connection that’s heartfelt.”