Steve Harvey says NBC split opened doors with Facebook
LOSANGELES— Having his daytime talk show canceled byNBC last year hasn’t stopped SteveHarvey.
While hewaited for a new opportunity, the comedian continued to make his presence regularly felt on TV as the host of “Family Feud” and as an emcee for multiple recurring jobs, including the annual Miss Universe pageant.
It didn’t take long for Harvey to seal a dealwith FacebookWatch and launch the new talk show “Steve onWatch.” The first season debuted at the beginning of 2020 with strong numbers and has already started releasing episodes of the second season, which premiered recently on the streaming platform.
The new seasonwas taped fromHarvey’s Atlanta home in a newly constructed set to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. The production features about 50 live virtual audience members through Zoom asHarvey delves into human interest stories, viral sensations and interviews with celebrity guests including Gabrielle Union, Jack Black and Steph Curry.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Harvey opened up about his split withNBC and howFacebook has given him more creative control.
Whatwere your initial thoughts afterNBCcanceled your talk show?
One ofmy buddies called me and said, “Maybe you should do a letter writing campaign?” I said, “No, I’m not going to do that.” Peoplewould say you should go up there and talk to them and sit down. I’m not doing none of that. I move on. Iwas on a talk
showfor seven years Seven’s a good run.
Whyweren’t you stressed overNBC’s decision?
My life is a testament to people who arewatching me, especially young people. Life evolves all the time and it always changes. You got two things you can do with change: You can react to the change or you could participate in the change. I don’t react. I participate. I sawit coming. They had leaked it a year before that theywere going to let the showgo and replace it. I justwent towork. I just kept on doing what Iwas doing.
Do you have more creative control at Facebook?
Absolutely. They understood. Let’s just take away all of the trimmings and let’s get to what this guy really does. Let’s play to his strong suits. They come up with a format where I can do just that. These human interest stories, I dowell with everyday people. I talk to people on different levels.
Howdid your relationship with Facebook come together?
I don’t really knowhow the talks initiated. I think
when they heard that Iwas leavingNBC, I think between them andIMG (Harvey’s producing partner), some conversations started. Iwas doing really well digitally out there. I was actually getting more visitors and more views on my digital platform than I was on the TV show. I think the global recognition kind of put the two of us together.
According to Facebook, your first season had 22 million unique viewers. Did that give you confirmation about your show?
I never lost faith in the process of who I amas a talent or what I’m able to do with the right team around me.
What’s you biggest takeaway fromthe ordeal?
I’m here to inspire people to never give up. When the door closes in your face, quit standing there beating on the door. Some doors close for a reason. My time atNBCwas what itwas. Itwas a good time. I learned a lot. It really opened the door to come to Facebook and do something that hadn’t been done before, to take a fullfledged talk showand put it on the digital form.