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Is Steve Harvey doing too much? – Clacking in Color

Comedian Steve Harvey has done it all. With a new talk show on the air, he's now looking to conquer daytime television. In this week's Clacking in Color, the hip column celebrating minorities on TV, writer Jaylen Christie wonders if Harvey is doing just a bit too much.

It seems to be common knowledge among my family members and friends that I tend to bore rather easily. Perhaps I suffer from a minor case of attention deficit disorder. Or maybe it’s a major case of being hyperactive. I don’t know. I’m not Dr. Phil. Still, while I am privy to the fact that I like to be involved in a lot of different activities, I know when I’m doing too much. I wonder if celebrities know the same.

Sometimes I question whether or not fame and fortune brings upon a desire to remain in the spotlight by staying super active. Case in point: Steve Harvey, one of my absolute favorite comedians, who has pretty much done it all. He’s perfected stand-up comedy. He’s had his own sitcom. He currently hosts a decent morning radio show. His best-selling advice book launched the successful film, Think Like A Man. Am I forgetting anything? Oh, yes — he’s the current host of Family Feud, and now he has his very own talk show, The Steve Harvey Show.

Whew, nelly. Now, that was exhausting.

Obviously, Harvey has done a lot, but when is enough enough?

Now, before I go any further, let me be very clear… I am not hating on Steve Harvey. I am not green with envy and I certainly haven’t been sippin’ on any Haterade. It’s too expensive. I just want to know whether or not he’s stretching himself thin. I love the fact that Harvey hosts Family Feud. I think it may just be my favorite game show. As I told comedian Jamie Kennedy in my interview with him a few weeks ago, the Family Feud theme song stays in my head. However, Harvey is known for missing some days of his radio show which leads me to thinking that he may be doing just a bit too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve never been one to try to hold someone back. I believe if you have a talent then it should be utilized. However, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a limit to how much someone should showcase — sort of like overexposure in a sense. I’m all for people expanding upon a versatile resume, but in this case I kind of feel as though Harvey should stick with what he knows. I just don’t see him as a talk show host. Then again, I didn’t see Michael Strahan as the ideal co-host for Kelly Ripa, but that seems to be working out nicely.

I’ll admit that I’m interested in seeing Harvey’s new talk show. I don’t think we’ve had an African-American male talk show host since Montell Williams. Sheesh. That was ages ago, wasn’t it? Still, I think I’d prefer Harvey as a game show host and comedian. He’s showcased his intellect in his book, and I wouldn’t mind reading more from him, but I don’t want the brother to overexert himself. It makes you wonder when he has time for his wife … wife number three I might add. Does the man have a personal life? It’s none of my business. Still, with all that he’s doing, I’m curious.

With that being said, I think that Harvey is certainly talented. He’s definitely one of my favorite funny actors, and his comedic timing is simply superb. He undoubtedly helped Cedric The Entertainer of TV Land’s The Soul Man and Wendy Raquel Robinson of BET’s The Game become better known with urban audiences. I just watched his old WB sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show — not to be confused with the talk show bearing the same name — on Centric a few hours ago. Good stuff. I’m definitely a fan of Harvey’s and I’m not knocking him. I’m just saying that he doesn’t have to do everything. Spend some time with your wife, Steve! You don’t want her to feel neglected, do you?

After all, that may lead to a real family feud, wouldn’t it?

 

Photo Credit: NBC

Categories: | Clacking in Color | Columns | General |

14 Responses to “Is Steve Harvey doing too much? – Clacking in Color”

September 11, 2012 at 7:41 PM

How much Steve is TOO much Steve? Guess we’ll find out. If folks didn’t like his standup they’d stop coming. His book? Sold big and became the bases for a movie. Game show, talk show? Biggest part of that after the NAME talent is the producer and the production company making the NAME talent look good. Fame and fortune in entertainment is talent, luck and timing. Bill Cosby
has endured since the 1960’s. Millie Vanille not even a decade. Rave On, Steve.

September 12, 2012 at 11:12 PM

You made some good points, but I feel that Bill Cosby and Steve Harvey are too entirely different individuals. I can’t even place them in the same boat … or DeLoreon if you will. :-) Still, I won’t knock Steve. Go, Steve, go! Then again, let me see the talk show first … and then I’ll make my judgement.

September 12, 2012 at 11:33 PM

Jaylen? Yer traveling 88mph past my point. Cosby started with stand up as did Harvey and has had many jobs in entertainment as Harvey is now doing. Let’s just hope Steve doesn’t become a cranky old man the way Bill did.

September 13, 2012 at 9:35 AM

I get where you’re coming from, buddy. I guess I just see Bill Cosby as this champion for education and what not. I see Harvey strictly as an entertainer. Even when Cosby had his sitcom, he was dealing with how to be successful by going to college to secure an education and how to effectively parent children. Nevertheless, now that you mention the similarities between Harvey and Cosby, I see what you’re getting at.

September 12, 2012 at 8:50 AM

I did see something the other day that said Steve retired from stand up to concentrate on the talk show and Family Feud. The Feud probably doesn’t take long to tape a season..they do a bunch of shows in one day. For doing so much you certainly aren’t over-exposed to him. It’s not like Kim Kardashian where everywhere you turn you are seeing her. (not that she is doing anything..you just see her!)

September 12, 2012 at 11:13 PM

Don’t even get me started on Kim Kardashian. Whew. That’s another column for another day!

September 12, 2012 at 12:30 PM

Steve Harvey is a very talented individual and I think since he is hot right now, he is going to get everything he can in regards to MONEY. I just hope he doesn’t burn himself out just as Nick Cannon did. I had thought with his new show he was no longer going to be the host of Family Feud. Steve’s wife loves shoes (I heard him say this on Family Feud) and with the extra money he will be making, she can buy plenty! I wish Steve the very best.

Thanks again Jay for another great clacking in color.

September 12, 2012 at 12:35 PM

Steve Harvey is too country for my taste.

However, I don’t think he is doing too much. In fact, I think he is a good example to all. We need more Steve Harveys doing as much as they possibly can to reach as many as they can.

There is a scripture in the Bible that reminds us to do all we can do while we are living because there is no work in the grave.

Now I know someone is going to try and spin that statement into something related to working yourself to death. My response, if I am having fun and I see Steve Harvey having a lot of fun, then so be it. What a way to go.

September 12, 2012 at 11:16 PM

I don’t think Steve is country…but I guess I can see your point. LOL I love what you said about the Bible mentioning doing as much as you can. That is so true. Now that you point that out, I guess I can understand Steve trying to utilize his talent to the fullest. However, I don’t want him to overexert himself either.

September 13, 2012 at 12:40 PM

Here is the Bible scripture I mentioned:
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (KJV)

You don’t want him to “overexert himself”! Please! I am sure he takes vacations because Harvey is a man of faith and knows God wants and commands him to. And no that does not contradict the above scripture.

September 13, 2012 at 12:50 PM

Thanks for the scripute, Allen. I honestly appreciate that. Nice to know that you look at Steve in such a positive light … well, aside from the fact that you think he’s country. :-)

September 12, 2012 at 1:20 PM

I think Steve is just taking advantage of the opportunities while he can. As for burning out only time will tell.

September 14, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Boy, you know how to lace your past articles all throught your current one, dont you? LOL.

Anyway, I think Steve is doing what anyone in the spotlight would do. He’s been on the gravy train for quite sometime now and why should he stop? He is a celebrity and clebrities like the attention and like the drive that comes with it—well, maybe not all celebrities, but I think it’s safe to say that Steve is one that likes it especially since he is seen in a positive light. Some celebs that are caught in a bad light sometimes try to avoid attention for a little while. But I appreciate Steve’s image because he is a role model for so many other older males and probably some younger ones. By him staying busy, his light continues to shine. I’m sure he knows when too much is too much. However, it is common that some celebs have been hospitalized for exhaustion, but I don’t think Steve has over-booked himself. Yes, his book became a very popular film with a sequel on the way, but he wasn’t the only one doing the movie if he was even doing the movie. Its only a side project after side project. The thing with TV magic is that with various programs airing at the same time, you may think that person is doing so much, but in reality, that stuff has been filmed way ahead of time. Various tapes way ahead of time. He may commit a week of work for a month of material and there you have it. With great power comes great responsibility and he has the power to influence hundreds if not thousands so he must continue to be an inspiration–that’s his responsibility. Just don’t die over it. LOL.

September 15, 2012 at 5:29 AM

He’s awesome, and as long as he doesn’t quit Family Fued (the only thing he does i care about) then I’m fine with whatever he might like to do.

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