Steve Harvey Daytime Talk Show to Offer Male View on Life and Relationships
Comedian Steve Harvey, one of the original "Kings of Comedy" featured in Spike Lee's 2000 film and star of the WB's "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" has scored a brand new syndicated daily TV show at WMAQ/NBC 5 studios in downtown Chicago.
The new show is estimated to create 100 local jobs, the Chicago Tribune projected, and at the same time will take advantage of the big tax credits offered by the Illinois Film Office.
"The Steve Harvey Morning Show," which had been broadcast for years in Atlanta and boasted an impressive number of listeners, will now make way for "Steve Harvey," which will premiere in the fall in 90 percent of the country. According to MSN.com, NBC Universal, which is owned by Comcast Corp., has offered the executive producer roll to Alex Duda, who has worked on "The Tyra Banks Show" and "Jerseylicious."
The one-hour talk show will bring a "comic spin" to life and relationship drama. In an interview with the Chicago Sun Times, Harvey explained that his show will offer male viewpoints on daytime TV, which is largely missing.
"I've got kids. I have a wife. I think that's a unique perspective. Above all else, there's nobody in daytime TV that can beat me at the funny thing – except Ellen DeGeneres. She's my girl. I love her. Other than Ellen, I think I'm the guy who's gonna put more funny on television," Harvey said.
He also shared that he was more than happy with the decision to stage the show in Chicago.
"Chicago has proven to be a great talk show town," the comedian said. "I started my radio career in Chicago, and I thought it only appropriate to start my talk show career in Chicago as well. I'm not afraid of hard work, because I will continue to host 'Family Feud' and my syndicated morning radio show."
NBC Universal has projected that the show will attract 35,000 audience members annually to the NBC Tower near North Michigan Avenue, benefiting businesses in the neighborhood and creating many new jobs.