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.

L.A. Radio Gives Steve Harvey Another Shot

More morning drive-time radio musical chairs: Two months after 93.5 KDAY-FM yanked Steve Harvey's syndicated morning show, Harvey is back on the air in L.A. -- but this time on KJLH-FM 102.3.

In the process, that means one less local morning radio show in Los Angeles, as KJLH host Guy Black has been moved aside to make way for Harvey. It's the third go in the L.A. market for Harvey, who initially arrived strong as the morning host on then-KKBT 100.3 "The Beat." His stint on KDAY, however, never made much noise. KJLH is similarly ratings-challenged; we'll see if Harvey can do anything to reverse that.

More from the L.A. Times here.

Steve Harvey Out at 93.5 KDAY

Another morning drive radio show bites the dust in Los Angeles. This time it's Steve Harvey, whose syndicated "Steve Harvey Morning Show" has been yanked off 93.5 KDAY ("The Beat").

It's the second time Harvey exited the market; he once hosted a local radio show here (also syndicated to Dallas) for then-KKBT 100.3 "The Beat" before parting ways with that station's owner. He has hosted his current show since 2005.

According to All Access, which first broke the story, KDAY owner Magic Broadcasting opted not to renew Harvey's contract. For now, the station will focus on music in the daypart.