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Sunday, January 31, 2016

Three Days in Miami with Steve Harvey, Kris Jenner, Harry Connick Jr. and Others

Michael Schneider, Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey came to play.

Just a few weeks after his now-infamous Miss Universe debacle, Harvey sat down with me on stage at the NATPE programming conference in Miami, and was game to discuss the whole mess. The host recounted what happened that night--when he announced the wrong winner--and gave new insight into what really went down on stage.

For the record, Steve says he was at every rehearsal, and at no point was it ever mentioned that he would announce the first-runner-up before the winner. So when Miss Colombia's name appeared on the Teleprompter, he named her the winner. He's at peace with what happened now -- especially now that he has apologized to both Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines (the real winner) on his "Steve Harvey" show (and both of those episodes were ratings hits.

But Harvey also says he received death threats after the incident... and he probably won't be visiting Colombia any time soon.

Harvey was such a good sport that he was even cool with me having some fun by opening up the panel by pretending to accidentally introduce the wrong guest.

Beyond that, our half-hour conversation was wide-ranging, touching on everything from the Oscars diversity controversy to Bill Cosby.

The Harvey chat was one of three I did this year at the NATPE programming conference. It's the third year in a row that I've headed down to Miami for the event, which has seen a newfound revival. (I still remember covering NATPE in the 1990s and early 2000s when it was a much different convention, usually in New Orleans or Las Vegas.) More highlights:

Michael Schneider, Kris Jenner, Todd Chrisley (NATPE) 3
Yes, that is indeed me with Kris Jenner and Todd Chrisley, two reality superstars with very different takes on parenting. It was quite a panel.

Michael Schneider, Michelle Ashford, Ilene Chaiken
Talking showrunning with "Masters of Sex" executive producer Michelle Ashford and "Empire" executive producer Ilene Chaiken.

NATPE
Harry Connick Jr. celebrates the launch of his new talk show.

NATPE
"Harry Connick Jr." hits the airwaves this fall.

NATPE
Signs found all over the Fountainbleu hotel, promoting my Steve Harvey chat.

NATPE
Selfie with Steve!

NATPE
Miami sunset, as seen from the Fountainbleu.

NATPE
The legendary Quincy Jones was one of the honorees at NATPE's annual Brandon Tartikoff Awards.

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