Steve Harvey, the charismatic host of the renowned daytime talk show “The Steve Harvey Show,” is under intense scrutiny following allegations from various comedians accusing him of joke theft, lacking humor, and mistreating his colleagues.
In a report by Atlanta Black Star on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, the latest to join the chorus of critics is comedian Gary Owen, known for his roles in movies like “Ride Along” and “Think Like a Man.” Owen, who collaborated with Harvey on his show for a brief two weeks in 2017, recently detailed his experience on his podcast “Getsome with Gary Owen.”
Owen disclosed that he received only the “SAG minimum” for his role as a voice announcer and a potential sidekick for Harvey. He lamented the lack of creative input, poor treatment by the production team, and the realization that he was being exploited.
Promised a spinoff show and the prospect of substantial earnings by Harvey after appearing as a guest on the show, Owen found himself trapped. Forced to film two episodes daily for two weeks, he endured subpar conditions, including a small dressing room without a bathroom and a broken desk.
Expressing his frustration, Owen highlighted his lack of involvement in show sketches, being confined to announcing guests and returning to his room. Comparing his experience to other projects, Owen cited filming three episodes of “Hip Hop Squares” in a day, earning four times more, and enjoying greater freedom and fun.
Owen clarified that his grievances were directed at the production company, not Harvey himself. He credited a Black woman for helping him secure a better dressing room and observed discrepancies in treatment between A-list guests, social media stars, and himself on the show.
The podcast episode gained widespread attention after being shared by Hollywood Unlocked on Instagram. Fans commended Owen for revealing the truth and criticized Harvey for alleged unethical practices, echoing sentiments that Harvey lacked humor and was involved in joke plagiarism.
The controversy follows previous accusations of joke theft by comedian Katt Williams, who disparaged Harvey and other comedians on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast on January 3. Williams questioned Harvey’s authenticity as a comedian and accused him of copying jokes from Mark Curry and Cedric The Entertainer.
Owen aligned with some of Williams’ statements, expressing respect for Williams as a comedian and agreeing on specific issues. Harvey has yet to respond to the allegations made by Owen and Williams. His talk show was canceled in 2017 after three seasons, making way for “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” while Harvey currently hosts “Family Feud” and “Celebrity Family Feud.
