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Comedian and television host Steve Harvey claims that his refusal to move “Celebrity Family Feud” from ABC to NBC led former NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy to threaten his entire television career, resulting in the cancellation of his daytime talk show and the show “Little Big Shots.”

Appearing on a September 2026 episode of “Vault Empowers Talks” hosted by his daughter Brandi Harvey, the 69-year-old entertainer detailed the behind-the-scenes dispute that fractured his relationship with NBC. Harvey explained that when he initially approached NBC with the concept for “Celebrity Family Feud,” the network’s leadership at the time declined the pitch, prompting him to take the show to ABC.

Once on ABC, the program aired on Sunday nights and began outperforming NBC’s Sunday evening lineup. According to Harvey, that success prompted former NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy to attempt to acquire the show after the fact.

So Paul Telegdy came back to me and said, ‘Hey man, we made a mistake. Can you switch this show from ABC to NBC?’, “attribution”:”Steve Harvey on Vault Empowers Talks”} –>

So Paul Telegdy came back to me and said, ‘Hey man, we made a mistake. Can you switch this show from ABC to NBC?’

Steve Harvey on Vault Empowers Talks

Harvey stated that he rejected the offer out of loyalty to ABC because that network had taken a chance on the project when NBC passed. When Harvey turned down the request—despite an offer to match his salary—he recalled seeing a negative reaction from the executive.

And that moment right there, I saw in his eyes, he hated me. That white man could not believe I told him no., “attribution”:”Steve Harvey”} –>

And that moment right there, I saw in his eyes, he hated me. That white man could not believe I told him no.

Steve Harvey

The Fallout and Cancellation of NBC Shows

Following the rejected network switch, tension mounted between Harvey and NBC. The host noted that the network stopped sending birthday and Christmas gifts that year, a departure from prior custom.

According to Harvey, Telegdy followed through on the friction by targeting his remaining projects on the network. NBC canceled his daytime talk show “Steve” in May 2019 and removed him as host of “Little Big Shots” in 2020.

In May they made the announcement, and he said out of his mouth, ‘I’ll show him. I’ll take his whole TV career.’, “attribution”:”Steve Harvey”} –>

In May they made the announcement, and he said out of his mouth, ‘I’ll show him. I’ll take his whole TV career.’

Steve Harvey

Reporting from Eur Web indicates that a major 2017 restructuring of the show “Steve” had already provided Harvey with greater creative control while stripping NBCUniversal of its ownership stake. That structural shift opened the door for NBC-owned local stations to replace Harvey’s daytime program with “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in 2019.

Career Recovery and Prior Allegations Against Telegdy

Despite losing his programs at NBC, Harvey told his daughter that the departure ultimately benefited his career. He chose not to lobby network executives for his job back, preferring to protect his independence.

In 2022, Harvey launched the reality court show “Judge Steve Harvey” on ABC. Unlike his previous NBC ventures, Harvey maintained ownership of the new program, noting that the financial return surpassed what he earned from “Steve” and “Little Big Shots” combined. The production schedule also proved efficient, allowing him to tape four episodes in a single day and wrap filming in roughly three weeks.

The allegations against Paul Telegdy mirror past public complaints involving the former executive. In June 2020, actress Gabrielle Union filed a discrimination and harassment complaint against NBCUniversal and producers of “America’s Got Talent.” In her complaint, Union accused Telegdy of attempting to intimidate and silence her after she raised concerns regarding a racially toxic work environment on the production.