New ‘Family Feud’ host Steve Harvey focuses on laughs as contestants vie for prizes

Steve Harvey takes over as new ‘Family Feud’ host

LOS ANGELES — Steve Harvey says he’s bringing change to “Family Feud” and viewers better get ready to laugh.

Harvey, who debuts as the game show’s new host Monday, is calling on his decades in comedy to take the program in a new direction. He’s already taped 100 episodes.

“I bet you there’s not a funnier game show on TV. We’ve done some pretty incredible stuff so far,” said Harvey, who continues to tour with his standup act and host a nationally syndicated radio program.

He hasn’t been at a loss for inspiration, he said. Turns out that playing a game show in the studio, distracted by the audience, lights and noise, can be tougher than the competing families anticipated.

“You’re not the genius you were at home on the couch. Some of these non-genius answers I get to comment on, and they give me plenty of material,” Harvey said. Contestants try to guess the most popular answers to survey questions.

He’s keeping the humor strictly G-rated for the syndicated show, the comic said.

“After 26 years of being a standup, I know how to work clean. I know how to keep it in the boundaries,” said Harvey.

Would he bring his own family on to compete?

“No, I cannot expose my family on national TV. There’s some ignorance that would come out of the mouths of my family that I might never recover from. My kids could go on ‘Family Feud,’ but my brothers, sisters, cousins — no,” he said.

Harvey’s TV credits include “Me and the Boys” and “The Steve Harvey Show,” and he was part of “The Original Kings of Comedy” standup tour and DVD.

He replaces actor John O’Hurley, host of “Family Feud” for four seasons, who left to focus on stage work and a variety of business ventures.

Online:

www.familyfeud.com