Steve Harvey has addressed the scheduling changes barreling toward his talk show, “Steve” for the first time since it was announced it would be cut from several NBC markets as he faces continued legal issues.
(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
The comedian spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday, Oct. 16 and slammed a National Enquirer report alleging he was fired from his daytime program. Further reports showed “low-ratings” was the reason why his show was axed.
Among his ongoing litigations are a suit from the widow of “What’s Happening” star Fred “Rerun” Berry, Essie Berry, who claimed Harvey blocked her from working in entertainment and a former receptionist who claimed senior workers at Harvey’s companies fired her when she rejected their sexual advances.
Responding to the Enquirer, Harvey mulled over taking them to court while speaking to the AJC, but he acknowledged the grocery store tabloid knows he’d be coughing up a ton in legal fees. The comic said he’s a supporter of celebrities being protected by stricter libel laws being put in place.
The truth is that 11 NBC-affiliated stations across the U.S. will be removing “Steve” from their programming as a lead in to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to run “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in fall 2019. “Steve” will still air in other markets, however, including on Fox stations, which is the case for Atlanta.
“I’ve always been an optimistic person,” Harvey said of the news. “This is NBC’s decision… I don’t own any TV networks but I’m not a grudge type of person. I happen to be a talent. I think people recognize that. Whatever happens with the show moving forward, I’ll be just fine.”
IMG Original Content, which produces “Steve,” intends to try to sell the program to other stations in markets that have pulled it from NBC stations, including markets such as San Francisco, Dallas and Washington, D.C.
