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FOX reviving “Showtime at the Apollo” as multiple primetime TV specials hosted by Steve Harvey

Showtime at the Apollo, a live talent showcase at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater which appeared on syndicated TV from the late 1980s through the 2000s, is coming back to television — this time in the form of two primetime network specials on FOX, hosted by Steve Harvey.

Harvey previously served as host of Showtime at the Apollo from 1993 to 2000, and the theater helped launch his own career, too.

The first two-hour special will air on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, on FOX. An additional one-hour special will air early in 2017.

“I’m excited to be going back home to the Apollo to celebrate the history of this great theater,” said Harvey. “I have great memories from my time there, and this is going to be a homecoming party that you won’t want to miss.”

“Since its inception in 1934, the world’s original talent competition – Amateur Night at the Apollo – was, and continues to be, a primary source for discovering new talent and spotlighting up-and-coming artists. That tradition was continued with the successful 21-year run of the ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ television program,” said Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo Theater and an executive producer of the special. “We’re proud to continue to produce our live, weekly show, and are equally excited to be partnering with FOX to produce this Showtime at the Apollo special and to bring the Apollo experience back to television!”

Apollo’s “Amateur Night” is the stuff of legends, now 82 years and running, with nervous or bad performers booed off the stage. It’s also seen the likes of James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, D’Angelo and countless others.

Here’s a throwback clip!

“The Apollo Theater played a crucial role in so many of this nation’s most talented artists, including Steve, and we couldn’t be happier to have him lead us back to this legendary venue,” said David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “We’re sure this will be a fantastic night of entertainment.”

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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