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Showtime at the Apollo Lands on Prime Time

Steve Harvey hosts a new version of the iconic talent contest

Host Steve Harvey, 61, says he has been trying for years to bring "Showtime at the Apollo" to prime time. Fox Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Emmy Award-winning Steve Harvey, 61, who credits the Apollo for launching his own stand-up career, will fit hosting duties into his already packed TV show docket ... now that a network is finally taking his advice to bring back the show. “I have been telling them for years that this show should be on prime-time TV, but nobody listened to me,” he says. “But now that I have several proven shows on TV everybody goes, ‘What does Steve want to do?’ I am so busy, but the show means so much to me.” Here, Harvey shares his thoughts about the brutally honest Apollo audience and how the father of seven keeps churning out hits of his own. Host Steve Harvey and Sarah Ikumu, from "Britain's Got Talent," on the set of "Showtime at the Apollo." Fox Showtime at the Apollo was American Idol before American Idol. What can we expect from the show? How is it different from other talent-search shows? First of all, there's no panel of judges. The judges are the audience, and for them, the mark is pretty high 'cause they’ve lived in Harlem for years and had all of the greatest entertainers in the world there. They don’t allow for half-stepping. What makes the Apollo so iconic? It’s funny, I interviewed Bruno Mars, and he did his last special at the Apollo because his father, a very accomplished musician, told him, "Son, you can perform anywhere in the world but until you do it at the Apollo, you ain’t done nothing." Most people from music backgrounds understand that. I have introduced so many people on that stage over the years. It is the ultimate proving ground because if you can perform at the Apollo, you pretty much know you can make it anywhere. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Do you ever get nervous in front of an audience that famously boos people off the stage? Everybody is a little fearful at the Apollo. I am every time I go out there. I am probably the only person at the Apollo that they would never boo. They have a respect level for me. What most excites you about the show’s newest incarnation? I love the fact that they have kept it authentically Apollo. They used to say, "Well, the booing is barbaric." What are you talking about it is barbaric? It’s the meter of judgment, like someone spinning the chair around on The Voice or not giving you enough points on Idol. What’s the difference? The audience just went, "Tonight you ain’t got it. You got to get outta here." Comedian, actor, talk show host, best-selling author, game show host — your advice for others on finding their own success? . You can’t get stuck on Chuck, like I always say. You can’t get so, "Look, I am a stand-up comedian. That is what I do." Well, in the summertime stand-up comedy doesn’t sell because your show starts at 8 but people are still at the beach and driving home from the park at that time. So, you don’t have a career in the summertime; what are you going to do? The key is reinvention. Take the gifts that you have, which is your tree trunk, and make it branch out and become other things. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS