Times Square is not only full of party people on New Year’s Eve, but it is also filled with hosts of online shows. Ryan Seacrest, Carson Daly, Anderson Cooper and others stay in the brutal cold and kill time with variety acts until the ball falls.
Steve Harvey returns to Fox this year, with co-host Maria Menounos, to sound the year with the help of The Lumineers, The Chainsmokers, Florida Georgia Line and Backstreet Boys.
Harvey, 62, spoke to The Post from Africa, where he was preparing to host the first version of “Family Feud” with All African Families, which aired in April 2021.
“I thought cultural differences would lead to pretty fun things,” Harvey says of the new program. “Not being on NBC set me free to think about anything [new]. Since I was not participating in the talk show, I came up with the idea when I learned that they were giving up my time slot [to Kelly Clarkson].
Why do you like working on New Year’s Eve?
He had stopped working stand-up on New Year’s Eve. It was such an iconic brand I had never had. I took advantage of Fox’s offer. I thought it would be good for my brand. The first time was absolutely awful. It was 11 below zero. Last year it rained all night. There is no place to sit. It’s a tough gig. There are stretch rooms. It is not allowed to carry trailers. I have a hotel room right there. You need blankets and warmers all the time.
How far in advance do you plan the show? How far in advance do guest requests come out?
I start planning the show a few months out, but the production team and producers start planning immediately after the previous year’s recording ends.
Do you give Fox a wish list of potential guests? Do the animators get in touch with you during the calendar year and ask you for a place in the training?
I don’t usually give Fox a wish list of guests, as they have been an amazing companion and do a wonderful job on the reservations. But this year I started thinking about some good recommendations and kept in touch with my ideas.
What is it like to be in the middle of this horde of people? Are you intimidated?
It is not intimidating. I am impressed by the energy of the people. Once you’ve checked in Times Square, you won’t be able to leave. There are no bathrooms. These people wear diapers and go through everything. They sit there and take care of it. And you feel obligated to be entertained.
“Fox’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square” airs at 8 p.m. Tuesday.