Steve Harvey Responds to Leaked Staff Note Debacle: ‘I Don’t Apologize About the Letter.’
Lately, when it comes to headlines, 60-year-old entertainer Steve Harvey can’t seem to win for losing. Yesterday (May 11), Harvey made headlines again due to a leaked staff memo that began to make its rounds in circulation.
The cause for concern is the subject of the memo, which had the comedian specifying to his staff what could and could not be done as it pertained to him. In the past, a more “lenient policy” led to staff members taking advantage of his kindness, so the new memo was to cut those antics off quick so that proper boundaries could be established between him and members of The Steve Harvey Show’s staff.
Perhaps for some people, it wasn’t Harvey’s intentions that bothered them, but instead, how stern his expectations were delivered. Under no circumstances will there be employees “stopping by or popping” in on him in his dressing room unless he personally invites you. Furthermore, if you think it is okay to even open the door of his dressing room, you will be removed – in all caps.
The memo continues with Harvey saying, “My security team will stop everyone from standing at my door who have the intent to see or speak to me. I want all the ambushing to stop now.”
Harvey also made it a point to say that the memo should not be taken personally by members of the staff, as it is meant without any offense to them. In fact, the new guidelines are “for the good of my personal life and enjoyment.”
However, that disclaimer obviously did not stop the public backlash that followed the staff memo being leaked. Where there is smoke, criticism and attention surely does follow.
In response, Harvey did an interview with Entertainment Tonight correspondent Kevin Frazier. “Look man, I’m in my makeup chair, they walk in the room. I’m having lunch, they walk in, they don’t knock. I’m in the hallway, I’m getting ambushed by people with friends that come to the show and having me sign this and do this,” Harvey stated plainly.
Harvey also made it clear that he was not going to be apologetic. He feels how he feels, even if public opinion is that his letter was uncalled for. “In hindsight, I probably should’ve handled it a little bit differently. If you come out your house, you don’t want anybody on your porch waiting on you. You walk to your car, you don’t want people bothering you on your way to your car. Everybody wants the freedom to be able to move around,” Harvey said in the interview, “I just didn’t want to be in this prison anymore where I had to be in this little room, scared to go out and take a breath of fresh air without somebody approaching me, so I wrote the letter. I don’t apologize about the letter, but it’s kind of crazy what people who took this thing and ran, man.”
The full memo can be read below:
Good morning, everyone. Welcome back.
I’d like you all to review and adhere to the following notes and rules for Season 5 of my talk show. There will be no meetings in my dressing room. No stopping by or popping in. NO ONE. Do not come to my dressing room unless invited.
Do not open my dressing room door. IF YOU OPEN MY DOOR, EXPECT TO BE REMOVED. My security team will stop everyone from standing at my door who have the intent to see or speak to me. I want all the ambushing to stop now. That includes TV staff. You must schedule an appointment.
I have been taken advantage of by my lenient policy in the past. This ends now. NO MORE.
Do not approach me while I’m in the makeup chair unless I ask to speak with you directly. Either knock or use the doorbell. I am seeking more free time for me throughout the day. Do not wait in any hallway to speak to me. I hate being ambushed. Please make an appointment. I promise you I will not entertain you in the hallway, and do not attempt to walk with me. If you’re reading this, yes, I mean you.
Everyone, do not take offense to the new way of doing business. It is for the good of my personal life and enjoyment.
Thank you all,
Steve Harvey
Photo Credit: PR Photos
