I’m really tired of talking about this sh… but it’s not like there is any other news in urban radio (lol). Today, I talked to a very good source about the impact that Steve Harvey’s ex wife is having on his empire. He made a very good point and I would agree. Steve would have best served himself and his career by giving Mary several millions with an agreement that she would not discuss their marriage publicly ever again. He should have then made it clear, even though it may not have been the TOTAL truth, that the money was being given to her so that their son would not have to suffer through all the media attention. An excellent source informed me that during the divorce, Mary used Steve’s attorney’s allegedly per Steve’s advice, which is why she lost her son and was paid next to nothing. Let’s face it, Steve is in a VERY tough position. He can’t ignore it and he has to respond.
How this scandal may affect Steve….
1. Advertisers: Steve presents himself as a family man, community supporter and as a relationship expert. Advertisers are VERY cautious about how their brands are perceived. Steve better pray that none of them pull out. All it takes is one to get the ball of hell rolling and all it takes a several complaints from consumers or women’s rights groups to make them pull out.
2. Book Sales: A majority of the women who have purchased Steve’s book can probably relate to Mary dead on. There is a good chance this will be the last book he writes on the subject.
3. Family Feud: While Steve’s ratings are good, once again, the show will probably stay out of it unless advertisers start pulling out from The Steve Harvey Morning Show and/or Family Feud.
4. Tom Joyner: Tom’s recent premiere in the number one market was not easy. It started off as a playful rivalry where Steve commented he planned to beat Tom in the ratings but as Tom was laughing, his team was planning. It is rumored that his company, Reach Media, wanted the market so bad, they allegedly paid a whopping $800.000 to the station to run the show. Tom desperately needs New York to legitimize his standing in other major markets. While they may have signed an agreement for two or more years. I give the show 6 to 12 months before Emmis pulls out. New York is a very hard market and listeners don’t do well with playful banter, feigned laughter and forced giggles. They want REAL radio and Tom has failed in New York once before… but who can blame Tom? To compete against Steve is one thing but to have Steve’s “angry and betrayed ex wife” on the show very close to the premiere is an attention grabber publicly but it also sends a very harsh message to Steve. Lucky for Steve, Tom failed MISERABLY during the interview. This is not a situation where you can take the high road and Tom tried to clean it up but some irreparable damage has to have been done. How would YOU feel if a “friend” who became your competitor brought your pissed off ex-wife into his fold? It’s not what’s said it’s the action that speaks volumes.
5. Shirley Strawberry’s New Book – How much do you want to BET Steve is taking some kind of credit for her book? You lose if you even THINK he isn’t. Now that his name and credibility are in question as far as being a relationship expert. There is a chance Shirley’s premiere book may suffer greatly. I would greatly benefit the publisher Random House to move the date of the book to the fall instead of April.
6. Steve’s Contract for The Steve Harvey Morning Show – What a horrific time for all of this to happen. Steve is currently up for contract renewal DAMMIT MARY! Rickey Smiley is really starting to look great to many urban PDs currently running Steve’s show. Steve better hope urban radio stations don’t express a desire to pull out and perhaps add the popular Rickey Smiley morning show to the roster instead. Steve may have one major benefit. Premiere radio is the parent company for The Steve Harvey Morning show and Premiere is owned by Clear Channel radio. So Steve may be set as far as Clear Channel stations. On the other hand, Rickey is still the greatest threat to Steve, even though they are good friends (fook that, may the best man win the morning slot).
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