Miss Universe executives explained earlier this week that they would "absolutely" have Steve Harvey back to host the pageant next year, despite him making the historic mistake of announcing the wrong winner Sunday night, as HNGN previously reported. And it looks like there's a very good chance Harvey will be returning next year, since he reportedly signed a contract prior to this year's show.
The 58-year-old comedian and "Family Feud" host signed a multi-year contract just days before this year's pageant to host Miss Universe, a source close to production told Entertainment Tonight. The source explained that the deal is for at least three years and could possibly even be as many as six or seven, adding that his paycheck is "more than they've ever paid before for a host."
"He was funny, he was informative, he's high energy, he's got a great following," WME IMG chief content officer Mark Shapiro said on the Jim Rowe Show on Monday. "I definitely want him back, and I would hate to see him not come back. He's going to want a shot to redeem himself. Look, the world forgives, the world forgets. It could happen to the best of us. He was so well intended, and he's such a good guy, and it was really such a mistake that I hope people don't hold this over him other than for just a good laugh and let it pass."
Even judge Perez Hilton thinks that Harvey deserves to come back. "They need to bring Steve Harvey back again next year," he told Us Weekly. "And bring me back as a special backstage correspondent. I was a little bumped he stole my thunder because I had a good [Donald] Trump moment earlier in the telecast that nobody remembers now because everything that happened...Everybody in the theater started applauding and it was fabulous and I had my shine. And then everybody forgot about it after Steve Harvey f--ked up big time."
