Top Entertainment Personality Steve Harvey and CENTRIC Join Forces to Debut 'THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT' on Monday, November 15 at 9:00 P.M.*

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Entertainment heavyweight Steve Harvey brings his fun, fast-paced and popular morning radio program "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" to CENTRIC premiering Monday, November 15 at 9:00 p.m.* and airing nightly Monday - Friday. An hour-long show that presents the best of the morning show, THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT is a nightly show unlike any other, filmed daily with bits by fan favorites like Sister O'Dell, Eugene, the Pastors and many more. Featuring the cast of Steve Harvey, his sidekick/comedian Nephew Tommy, and supporting co-hosts Shirley Strawberry and Carla Ferrell, the show will include character sketches by Steve and Tommy, a singing contest, live studio guests, celebrity interviews, a dating segment called "Locate Your Love," and the show's signature relationship segment "Strawberry Letter."  In this major feature, viewers write in to Shirley and Steve for relationship advice and they offer different, hilarious takes on the questions. Using robust on-line recruitment from Steveharvey.com and daily listener call-ins, the show is interactive and lively and provides an inside look into the makings of one of the country's most innovative and successful morning radio shows.

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With the debut of THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT, Steve Harvey and CENTRIC continue to lead the way in bringing original entertainment that makes an impact on the culture and lifestyle of today's African-American and diverse audiences. Garnering huge ratings and acclaim as the new host of the long-running syndicated game show "Family Feud," the comedian, best-selling author and top radio personality joins CENTRIC to add another dimension to the show by allowing his millions of fans to see the top-rated "Steve Harvey Morning Show" in action. By taping the show for television, CENTRIC will give fans a look into the show they listen to every morning.

Says Harvey, "I am elated to present THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT on CENTRIC, a network that is committed to providing programming that is innovative and new," says Harvey. "It's going to be fun to show fans of the 'Steve Harvey Morning Show' all that goes on behind the scenes and how much their support inspires us everyday."

"We are thrilled to have the multi-faceted Steve Harvey and the cast of THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT on CENTRIC as they've built a tremendously successful radio show that will entertain and elevate our audience even more on screen," said Loretha Jones, president of original programming at BET Networks.

"We are excited to present Steve's radio family with the opportunity to see him on television," said Paxton Baker, CENTRIC's general manager and executive vice president. "Steve's voice has been heard and known throughout the radio waves for the past five years, and now we have the opportunity for listeners to not only hear him but see his show come to life on CENTRIC."

The premiere of THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT on Monday, November 15 continues a busy fall quarter for Steve Harvey, coming on the heels of his debut in September hosting "Family Feud" – which has been grabbing massive ratings nationwide – and the much-anticipated release of his second book on relationships, Straight Talk, No Chaser – which will hit shelves on December 7. Harvey will also grace the stage at CENTRIC's 2010 Soul Train Awards to present the Legend Award to Ron Isley. The show tapes November 10 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in metropolitan Atlanta and will air on November 28th in a special simulcast on BET and CENTRIC at 9:00 p.m.*

THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT is produced by Executive Producers Steve Harvey, Rushion McDonald, and Co-Executive Producer Eugenia Harvey. Other contributors include Special Consultant Kenn Michael and Senior Producer Kim Gagne. THE STEVE HARVEY PROJECT is produced by Nu-Opp, Inc.

*Airs 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

About CENTRIC

Centric is a 24-hour music and entertainment channel that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today's African-American and multicultural adult viewer.  With a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing beat, its compelling music content fuses Soul, R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, Jazz, Old School, New School and everything in between with today's hottest artists. It is a unique mix of music, culture and lifestyle programming that embodies the lives, tastes and aspirations of the CENTRIC viewer: All you. All day. All night.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

About Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s, which eventually led to a long stint as host of "It's Showtime at the Apollo" and multiple TV sitcoms as well as movie roles, including: "Me and The Boys" on ABC from 1994-1995, "The Steve Harvey Show" on the WB from 1996-2002 and "Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge" on the WB from 2003-2005.  Throughout his success, Harvey has never lost sight of his passion for stand-up comedy. Touring as one of the Kings of Comedy alongside Cedric The Entertainer, the late Bernie Mac and D.L. Hughley in 1997, the immediate success of the tour led to the taping of one of the most successful comedy DVDs in history – "The Original Kings of Comedy" – directed by Spike Lee. He has also released numerous comedy specials.  Currently hosting "Family Feud", where ratings have increased more than 40 percent, Harvey also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Harvey Morning Show", which airs in over 60 markets and has approximately 7 million listeners from 6-10 AM PM*. His first book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man was released January 27, 2009. The runaway bestseller quickly became a relationship classic, resonating with audiences around the world.  His newest book, Straight Talk, No Chaser will be released on December 7, 2010.  With a wide range of fans from kids to adults of all ages, whether reaching people as a comedian, radio personality, author, TV host, actor, entrepreneur or philanthropist, Harvey remains true to uplifting others through humor, sharing enriching words and actions that enliven everyday life.

SOURCE CENTRIC