Universal blunder
ADAY before the big blunder, Steve Harvey posted to this Facebook wall: “I'm hosting @missuniverse Sunday. My whole goal is to find a daughter-in-law. I'm coming outta this with something!”
He got more than something, he got more than what we could have ever imagined. A mistake that shook the universe as it was watched live by millions on their television sets and computers, and an opportunity to show the world how to admit you were wrong.
Harvey has been host of the American television game show “Family Feud” since 2010. He was proud and thankful to be chosen as Miss Universe host this year that he said on Twitter as he stood on the pageant stage, “Look at where God brought me!”
He believes in God and described himself on his Twitter account as: “Proud husband, father, comedian, daytime show host, philanthropist and author. God has blessed me with more than I could have asked for!”
With his “honest mistake” in declaring the wrong pageant winner, Harvey must be thinking he should stick to the “Family Feud” where winners are clear and avoid those tricky announcements of naming the first runner-up then the winner or the winner then the runner-up. Oh, well. In his Miss Universe foul-up, he read the right name for the wrong place.
There will be many interpretations, jokes and analyses of how and why he failed in his hosting job and whether he should even go back to hosting shows, but his bashers should note the effort he took to apologize and not even explain to seek understanding. All he did was apologize, without trying to earn some sympathy.
On Twitter he said, “I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible. Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake. I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing.”
On his Facebook: “I made a terrible mistake tonight in announcing the wrong winner and runner-up for the Miss Universe pageant. I know how much pride many countries, fans and, most importantly, the contestants take in preparing for this night. I hope that you can forgive me. All contestants were amazing but I want to specifically apologize to Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines again and wholeheartedly. You both represented well for your countries, families and yourselves.”
There was no excuse that he was not briefed by organizers on how to read the card, no explanation about whose name to read first. No blaming of others.
Harvey said he expected to get something out of his hosting the Ms. Universe pageant. We got something, too, from the sincerity and honesty of his apology.
*** Catch the last three days of the Misa de Gallo at www.sunstar.com.ph. View the live streaming of the dawn mass from the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral every day until December 24, from 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The Sun.Star website is on its 7th day of covering the dawn masses this year. The live streaming allows Filipinos in different countries to join the celebration from afar.