When Oprah Winfrey bowed out of the talkshow world in 2011 to set up her television network OWN, there were tears, hugs and one giant holiday giveaway for the whole audience. Then there was nothing but soap operas and TV repeats. Would anyone be able to replace the queen of chat?. Daytime TV was up for grabs. Ricki Lake came out of retirement ands Katie Couric got her own show, but only one person would lay claim to Oprah's crown.
Since debuting in September 2012, Steve Harvey's eponymous show has attracted 2.2 million viewers a day. So who is he?
Harvey, 56, co-headlined the Original Kings of Comedy tour in 1997 with the late Bernie Mac. In 2000 he took on radio, launching the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, which has approximately six million weekly listeners. He also starred in a self-titled sitcom. His best-selling relationship book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man became a New York Times bestseller and gave rise to a movie of the same name.
"I knew there wasn't anybody on TV that would have my take on things. I am a very straightforward guy, and I think that's been my appeal," he explains.
Harvey's focus on real people (but without the Jeremy Kyle-style DNA tests and screaming matches) resonates with his audience so strongly that he is viewed as the heir to Oprah. "She is one of those once-in-a-lifetime people, but I wouldn't mind if they called me 'the little O'," he says.
