Get ready for the second coming of Steve Harvey.
The popular standup comic has made his presence felt over the years through his powerful stage shows, television appearances and, in Chicago, a high-rated radio show.
But Harvey’s strongest statement to date will come on Saturday, when HBO premieres its latest “HBO Comedy Hour,” titled “Steve Harvey: One Man.” It’s scheduled for 9 p.m. on the premium cable channel.
“I’m proud of it, man,” Harvey says. “I think it’s one of the top specials to come out in a long time.”
The hour deals with the differences between African-Americans and whites, religion, male-female relationships, and a particularly hot topic: “what women wear to bed,” says Harvey.
A great comedy special can do wonders for a comedian’s career, a notion not lost on Harvey, a standup comedian for the last 13 years, who thinks that feature films, celebrity endorsements and hosting duties on some awards show could be in his future.
“Having looked at my special, and looked at it amongst people that are industry people, and watched their reaction, I think I’ve got a really good thing here,” says Harvey, 40. “I think that this special right here will bring a lot of new stuff to the table.”
But even if none of those things comes into view, Harvey believes “One Man” will serve a goal he has had since first he first took the stage:
“When they say the elite group of comedians today, I want them to have to say my name,” explains Harvey, who was born in West Virginia but grew up in Cleveland.
“(I want to) go to any theater in any major city and sell it out and do my thing. And that’s always been my goal. My goal has never been a sitcom. My goal has never been a movie. My goal was always to have been one of the top standups in the nation. I expect this special to make that statement.”
The star of the WB comedy “The Steve Harvey Show” (at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on WGN-Ch. 9) and host of the syndicated “It’s Showtime at the Apollo (at 1:30 a.m. Saturdays on WMAQ-Ch. 5) would like to continue making his mark in another way: as a radio host.
He did that in Chicago for a little more than a year on urban contemporary station WGCI-FM, from the beginning of 1996 through February of this year — before a dispute between Harvey and management, and exhaustion from working three gigs at once while still hitting the road to perform, all took their toll and he exited the radio job.
But Harvey would like to get on the airwaves again.
“To be funny on the radio is such a challenge, man. But you know what I enjoy about radio? Not being funny, because I can be funny on stage, on TV, I’ve got a lot of avenues to do that,” Harvey says.
“Radio allows me and affords me the opportunity to share with a large number of people my feelings and thoughts about real issues. I think it’s my ability to be serious on radio that attracts me more than anything. Because I get to stand up and say stuff for black people, on behalf of black people, and about black people. And I love that spokesman role.”
There had been rumors Harvey was considering rejoining WGCI (his old morning slot is now taken by fellow comic George Wallace). “I talked to them, man,” Harvey admits. “I don’t know where it’s going to land. We just talked.”
Harvey, who also admits to having been approached by others about radio work, says he’s stretched too thin to consider going behind the microphone anytime soon. But he says he’ll have time on his hands once shooting on “The Steve Harvey Show” wraps up in February.
“I’ll tell you this much, man,” Harvey confides. “I can almost promise you I’ll be on the radio in Chicago in some form or fashion next year.”
Comedy, Windy City style
Plans are underway for us to add yet another festival to Chicago’s considerable list. The city is set to host a comedy festival next year, joining the venerable Montreal International Comedy Festival, as well as fests in New York, Aspen and San Antonio.
Details are sketchy, but plans call for the Chicago Comedy Festival to run April 30 through May 2. Participating venues will be concentrated around Wells Street and North Avenue. (Say, isn’t that where the Zanies comedy club and Second City sketch/improv center are located?)
“The Chicago Comedy Festival is breaking new ground as we assemble a celebration of comedy with a multitude of performance and unique related events for the people of Chicago, the entertainment industry and an interactive online audience,” the festival’s mission statement says.
The festival will focus on the city’s strong standup, sketch comedy and improvisation base, bring in national headliners and acts, salute a heavyweight in comedy, and offer several industry-related seminars. Zanies is to celebrate 20 years in Chicago with an all-star show.
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Details will be offered as they become available, but in the meantime, the Chicago Comedy Festival has an Internet site for more details (www.comedytown.com/ccfb.htm).
The standup lineup
Here’s who’s working at the comedy clubs. Current sets are scheduled to run through Sunday, and new acts begin on Thursday, unless otherwise noted. Lineups are subject to change.
– Headlining is a goal of all comedians. Lenny Schmidt, who has appeared on Comedy Central’s “Standup-Standup” and “Short Attention Span Theater,” began his life as a headliner at K.J. Riddle’s Comedy Stop, where he’s returning this weekend. The club is at 15750 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park’s Continental Shopping Center; call 708-614-6336.
– Two of Chicago’s funniest are sharing headlining duties this weekend at the Funny Bone (1504 Naper Blvd.-Tower Crossing Shopping Center, Naperville; 630-955-0500). Diane Alaimo will topline two shows on Friday, and then Steve Seagren takes over for two on Saturday.
– Fred Klett and Tim Slagle, two other local favorites, are co-headlining at Zanies’ Chicago location through Sunday (1548 N. Wells St.; 312-337-4027). Normally, Klett and Slagle are solo stars, so these weekend shows are special.