There’s now more proof the relationship between Steve Harvey and NBC was badly strained, because it was recently announced that after three seasons he won’t be hosting the kid-centered variety show “Little Big Shots.” The actress Melissa McCarthy will now pick up the hosting duties.
The switch comes shortly after it was announced that Harvey’s daytime talk show “Steve” was canceled by the network, and the last episode was taped on Thursday.
But episodes will continue to run through June and there will be re-runs in September until “The Kelly Clarkson Show” takes over, hosted by the “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson.
As for “Little Big Shots,” there will definitely be some changes as McCarthy takes the reins, based on the ideas she brings with her as well as her overall vision.
“Melissa’s just an incredible performer and incredible comedian,” explained Paul Telegdy, NBC’s co-chairman of entertainment. “[She] will bring a completely fresh perspective to it. Melissa is a strong creative force with her own ideas. Changes will be apparent.”
Variety reports that Harvey was supposed to get a substantial pay increase for hosting the fourth season of “Little Big Shots,” which he co-created with Ellen DeGeneres, and there’s no word whether he received a portion of it in some sort of settlement.
The comedian has been very vocal about not liking how NBC has conducted business with him, particularly when it comes to the “The Kelly Clarkson Show” replacing his, mainly because he found out about it in the press.
“I’m an honorable guy, and I’m just an old school guy, and I just thought that you’re supposed to talk to people and go, ‘Look, you’ve been good business for us. This is what we’re thinking of doing. Are you OK with that?'” he told Variety. “No, you don’t just put something in the paper and say, ‘I’m gonna make this move right here’ because it’s crazy,” he said.
Reportedly, the friction between Harvey and NBC began in 2017 when Harvey took partial ownership of “Steve” after he signed a deal with IMG Original Content. Before that NBCU and Endemol Shine North owned the talk show, and they weren’t too fond of the switch.
After Harvey’s fans learned of the news about “Little Big Shots” and the 62 year-old’s talk show ending, they expressed sadness on his social media pages.
“Don’t believe anyone can have a better day time show with the same time slot and better than Steve, totally impossible,” one fan wrote.
“You are an inspiration to me and everyone. I listen to everything you say,” wrote another. “You are a Great man and a Great Mentor. Blessings to you and Marjorie and to all your kids.”
