News broke three months ago that Steve Harvey’s talk show won’t air on certain NBC stations around the country next year. Instead, it’ll be replaced by Kelly Clarkson’s talker. Now, it’s being reported that a former executive producer of Harvey’s has been tapped to helm the singer’s new show.
Alex Duda is set to become the executive producer and showrunner for “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” according to a Tuesday, Nov. 20 report from The Hollywood Reporter.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – AUGUST 03: Steve Harvey arrives at the 2017 Summer TCA Tour – NBC Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 3, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
The five-time Emmy winner previously worked as the executive producer of Harvey’s former daytime show, “Steve Harvey,” which was based in Chicago and ended its run in 2017, and “The Tyra Banks Show.” Duda, who won two of her Emmys with Harvey’s program, is currently working on the development phase of Clarkson’s show.
“Kelly Clarkson is America’s celebrity. As our first [American] Idol, Kelly was chosen by us, for us, because of her unique combination of relatability and otherworldly talent,” Duda said. “I love telling stories that entertain and inspire, and I’m thrilled to be able to continue doing so alongside an incredible artist like Kelly.”
Harvey’s “Steve” has served as a lead-in to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on NBC stations across the U.S. But when “The Kelly Clarkson Show” begins syndication in 2019, it will replace “Steve” in 10 cities: New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Philadelphia; Dallas-Fort Worth; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Miami; San Diego; and Hartford, Connecticut.
That does not mean, however, that “Steve” has been canceled, something the host’s representatives had to clarify in September.
Regardless of the shakeup, Harvey maintained to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in October that he was going to be all right.
“I’ve always been an optimistic person,” he said. “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.”
