`The Steve Harvey Show' ends after six seasons

Jet, March 18, 2002

The popular WB comedy "The Steve Harvey Show" has ended after it remained at the head of the class for six seasons.

Famed comedian-actor Steve Harvey told the Los Angeles Times that it was his decision to end the show after six years because he wants to pursue other projects.

"I'm walking away on my own terms," Harvey told the newspaper. "We lasted six years, we're doing well in syndication and I know this is the best half-hour [series] that the WB has ever had."

The show premiered in 1996. Though it had been moved to a different day each season, audiences continued to find the comedy. Just last year, after five years and 100 episodes, the show reached the commendable plateau of being syndicated.

The comedy stars Steve Harvey as former 1970s R&B star Steve Hightower, who turned his attention from the stage to the classroom as a teacher.

The show, the longest-running series on the WB, ranked one of TV's funniest comedies. And, for many years, it was often noted as one of the highest-rated Black shows on TV.

The series co-stars Cedric "The Entertainer," Wendy Raquel Robinson, Terri J. Vaughn, Merlin Santana, William Lee Scott and Lori Beth Denberg. The award-winning show was executive-produced by creator Winifred Hervey and director Stan Lathan.