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Television Mon Sep 27 2010
Steve Harvey Speaks: The 'Feud' With Bernie Mac
Steve Harvey is just about everywhere these days--via his weekday, nationally-syndicated morning radio show, his wildly popular best-selling book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man (another book is scheduled for release in December) and his latest gig as the new host of "Family Feud," the stand-up comedian is definitely one of the hardest working folks in show business.
Harvey's success though, isn't exempt from backlash; the blogosphere is full of comments by many who refer to him as "arrogant" and "full of himself." To others though, he's just a talented, charismatic comedian who is expanding his brand.
While Harvey is clearly enjoying his rising success, one thing has always nagged both fans and non-fans alike: His relationship with the late Bernie Mac.
Harvey and Bernie Mac made up one half of 2000's "The Original Kings of Comedy," a highly successful stand-up comedy tour and film, with comedians D. L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer rounding out the foursome.
While the tour made history and helped all four comedians' careers rise to even newer heights, the relationship between Mac and Harvey seemingly took center stage, dogged by persistent rumors that the two men weren't actually on "friendly" terms. While those rumors died down, they resurfaced again when Mac passed away in 2008.
On "Conversations with Ed Gordon," which premiered last night on Black Entertainment Television (BET), Gordon interviewed Harvey and addressed the alleged feud between the two, with Harvey finally publicly addressing it from his standpoint.
According to the interview, the feud stemmed from a 2003 GQ interview with Mac, which he suggests Harvey was not only envious of his success, but also tried to steal gigs from him.
Harvey acknowledged his feelings about the GQ article and admitted his anger about it. "I was upset at first because it just wasn't true," said Harvey. "Me and Bernie had a lot of good times together and then this article in GQ came out and put all this vicious stuff in there." Harvey also acknowledged that he spoke with Mac about the interview: " 'B' said he never said it. I had to take him at his word for it."
After Mac's passing, Harvey revealed that his widow, Rhonda McCullough, helped him get beyond the "feud." "Rhonda of all people knows the truth. It was a cleansing moment for me because I was able to let go of a lot of stuff."
Who knows what was actually behind the beef; however, Harvey's admission of having a "cleansing moment" might imply that something was there, indeed.
Whatever it was, we'll probably never know.
GQ cover: coverbrowser.com
Kray / February 6, 2012 6:47 AM
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