KCRW's The Spin-Off: Steve Harvey on Cosby, #OscarsSoWhite, His TV Empire... And Yes, Miss Universe

On the latest special edition of KCRW's The Spin-Off, listen to my chat with Steve Harvey at last month's NATPE convention in Miami. We talked about Bill Cosby, #OscarsSoWhite, "Family Feud," his career... and yes, that Miss Universe moment:

After Steve Harvey accidentally named the wrong winner at this year’s Miss Universe pageant, it’s all anybody’s been wanting to talk to him about.

In this conversation with Michael Schneider, Harvey says he was devastated by the mistake, but still, in terms of mess-ups he’s made in his life, this one “ain’t even in the top 20.” The Miss Universe mix-up just happened to be the most public.

Harvey reflects on his decades-long career in the industry, the racism he’s experienced, and how his faith keeps him strong, even in the face of death threats following the Miss Universe pageant.

Listen below!

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

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:


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.


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


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


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


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


Selfie with Steve!


Miami sunset, as seen from the Fountainbleu.


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

Scenes from Miami Beach and the NATPE Convention

Above, it's the sunrise from the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach. I was back there for a second year in a row, as this week's National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) convention took place. Once upon a time, NATPE was the place where local TV station executives came to buy syndicated programming for their lineups. Those days are gone (because of consolidation, most TV shows are sold with one or two phone calls to mega station groups) but NATPE is still a great place to meet up with industry execs and take stock of the business. This year NATPE also focused heavily on the reality TV community, and it was an opportunity to sit down with execs and producers from that world too. And by the way, the Fountainbleau is quite a nice hotel to stay at, even if I never got the chance to play tourist. Here are some pics from my Three Days in Miami.


On-stage selfie: About to moderate a "Shark Tank" panel at NATPE with executive producer Clay Newbill and judges Daymond John, Kevin "Mr. Wonderful" O'Leary and Mark Cuban.


And then, a post-panel "Shark Tank" selfie, with NATPE CEO Rod Perth joining us.


It was kind of weird walking by this sign all day Tuesday.


"Elvis" is in the building.


Workers set up for NATPE's opening night party.


Back in the 1990s, NATPE was all about the massive convention floor. It was like Comic-Con -- every syndication company had a massive booth, where they'd bring in talent and even hire celebrity chefs like Wolfgang Puck to serve lunch. I remember being well fed at the Sony booth, where Puck would walk around serving you pizza. NATPE is quite different now. Most of the distributors still come, but work out of hotel suites. Some actually have small cabanas around the Fountainbleau pool -- as you see above, where CBS, NBC Universal and Debmar-Mercury execs are hanging out.


Spotted in Miami Beach. I guess the name of this store says it all.


Dan Harmon and I share a moment after our one-on-one NATPE panel on Wednesday.

My NATPE Q&As with Bravo Host Andy Cohen and Legendary Producer James L. Brooks (VIDEO)

As I previously mentioned here, I flew to Miami last month to moderate two panels at the annual NATPE television conference. Now, finally uploaded, are those chats with producer/writer/director James L. Brooks and "Watch What Happens Live" host (and former Bravo executive) Andy Cohen. Both are fun chats, and only last 30 minutes.

Below, Brooks discusses his career; the state of comedy today; and how he still stays current (including a rather robust TV binge habit he's developed). Brooks also briefly discusses what he has going next:





As for Cohen, we chatted about his new role as a producer (having left his executive job at the end of 2013), as well as the state of late night TV and why, oh why, those "Real Housewives" are so popular:

Franklin Avenue's First-Ever Trip to Miami: The Fountainbleu, South Beach and the Art Deco Hotels

As you may have seen me mention, a few weeks ago I flew to Miami to attend the television business' annual NATPE convention, now held at the famed Fountainbleu hotel. (Above, that was the view from my room. I know.) I got a chance to moderate panels with legendary writer/producer/director James L. Brooks and Bravo's "Watch What Happens" host Andy Cohen (videos are still pending); I've already shared the pics from Endemol's event featuring the unusual mix of Pitbull, Ja Rule and Courtney Love. But I also had a chance to briefly explore Miami Beach -- here are some pics, including several of the famed South Beach art deco hotels.


The Fountainbleu.


Another view from my hotel balcony.


Looking the other direction from my room.


The view, looking west, from the Fountainbleu.

Art deco Cadillac dealer.


"World Erotic Art Museum." You lost me at "OWNER."


"No Firearms... EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER FLORIDA LAW." So... then everywhere?


Economic recovery? There was quite a bit of building in South Beach -- tear downs, rehabs and completely new construction.


A cool 70 degrees on Jan. 29 in Miami Beach.


The famed art deco hotels of South Beach, starting with the Breakwater.


The Congress Hotel.


Hotel Victor.


Leslie.


The Carlyle.


The Cavalier.


The Penguin Hotel and the Crescent.

LIVE FROM NATPE: Partying with the Unlikely Mix of Pitbull, Ja Rule and Courtney Love

Last week I flew to Miami to moderate two panels at the annual NATPE convention. The event, once a major annual syndication convention, still attracts TV executives and producers from around the globe. Endemol USA, which produces a wide variety of programs (including "Big Brother" and "Wipeout") held a party last Monday, kicking things off by bringing Pitbull -- who announced a new programming deal with the studio -- on stage.


Then came Ja Rule, who performed a short set at Endemol's party.


Courtney Love also has a deal with Endemol and showed up after midnight to perform with a guitarist.


And yep, she was just as you expected.


Courtney was not thrilled with the industry crowd, which acted like, well, an industry crowd.


She only performed three songs, but one was her hit "Miss World."


Oh. Um. My goodness.