Nothing. Besides declaring the wrong woman Miss Universe, but I don’t put the blame on Steve Harvey, even though he takes it. This is why.
Live TV isn’t easy. No matter how used to it you are, things happen. It’s why a lot of things are taped. I’ve done live TV hundreds of times. Once, I forgot my name. Another time, I forgot my sig out – the thing you say at the end of EVERY SINGLE live shot. We all have brain farts. We all make mistakes at work. For most people, they don’t happen in front of millions. For a few, they do… and then people attack. “How hard is it to read a card?” Well, sometimes it is hard. You’ve never misspoke while reading something?
Not a solo act. Yes, he was the only host, but where was the Miss Universe organization? Hosting a live event with changing elements, like a beauty pageant, can’t be easy. Instead of just handing him a card, he should have been told who won. I do not think he was prepped, just handed a card… with very small font.
His social media team. After the universal mistake, thousands (if not millions) took to Twitter. I think Steve Harvey broke Twitter Sunday night. His first apology tweet had a couple of spelling mistakes. It was not a good time for this, considering what was misspelled. But I’m willing to bet Steve Harvey did not tweet this. Tweets were posted from his account all night. I don’t think he was hosting live and tweeting at the same time. He has a social media team… and I bet someone on that team was rushing to put something out in the Twitterverse ASAP and got lazy. I’ve said it before… this is why you cannot hire an intern to manage your social media accounts! Then, that tweet was deleted. (Note: Do not delete social media posts after tens of thousands of people share it.)
Voting. Remember, Steve Harvey didn’t single handedly pick the winner and change his mind. Other people voted. He was the messenger. He didn’t take the crown from Miss Colombia. Miss Philippines had it all along (and rightfully so, in my opinion.) The saying “don’t kill the messenger” rings true in this circumstance. 100%.
Bigger fish to fry. I’m not going to say “it’s just a beauty pageant” because some women work their entire lives for this one night. But, let’s remember what some of these women talked about during their final question… gun violence, terrorism, etc. So yes, while it is an important night for many women, there are bigger fish to fry.
Miss Colombia shouldn’t be upset this happened. She should be thrilled! If Steve would’ve announced the correct winner as planned, no one would be talking about Miss Colombia today. They may have said, oh that contestant looked like Sofia Vergara… and that’s it. It’s like the girl from Miss Teen USA who thought we needed more maps in the world. She was better known than the girl who won Miss Teen USA! No one will forget the runner up this year! Plus, I bet Miss Philippines appreciates her win a little more now, after being a runner up first.
Do I think this is publicity stunt? No way! Whenever something big or unexpected happens, people who don’t know any better scream publicity stunt. I don’t think Steve Harvey wants this kind of publicity. In addition, I don’t think he needs it with a radio show, daytime TV show, Family Feud, best selling books, etc. If you want to see him explain what happened himself, click here. How can you not love a man like that?!
And Steve Harvey – you were a great host! You made live TV great and something we’ll never forget!
I totally agree! Great break down of the pageant
Thank you!
I agree with this entire post 100%! It is soooooo easy to make a simple mistake. Was his mistake huge? Yes. I was so glad he immediately owned up to it and apologized. I wish he had used the words “I’m sorry” instead of other words like “I’m regretful,” etc. but either way we got the gist that he was sorry. I totally agree with you that this is fabulous for Miss Colombia. And as a half-Filipina, I’m thrilled Miss Philippines won!!!
Miss Philippines was the best by far! I loved her from the beginning!
I agree with what you’re saying. I actually think the print on the cards with the winners was too small..and maybe they should just have one final card with the winner on it in BIG print! I don’t really like how some are brushing it off as “just a pageant….” Yes, it is a beauty contest..BUT not only have these women worked hard…they represent their country and there’s a lot of pride in that…not to mention that winning a contest of this magnitude will change their lives FOREVER. Money, fame, notoriety, opportunity, etc…especially the final two countries…in Colombia and Philippines pageants are major “sports” ….not some throw away “whatever” type deal. So, to lose out on a moment like that is a BIG deal…c’mon the telecast just kind of cut off Miss Philippines and all the on-stage awkwardness when Colombia just had to stand there and then her country-mate outgoing Miss Universe had to come and take off the crown and sash….it was WEIRD!!! Did you see the montage prior to the winning announcement where they showed all the crowning moments of past?? What will they show this for Philippines next year?? I don’t want to continue to persecute Steve Harvey…but again, to say this was a GINORMOUS mistake is an understatement….. P.S. I doubt it’s on prompter cuz the Ernst and Young guy came out with the results on the card…it’s like that every year and the pageants make a big deal of having a top notch accounting firm guard and present the winning tabulations!
I was also concerned that Colombia didn’t know what was going on. She continued to stand in the center of the stage with her sash and crown… her interpreter disappeared!
Also, the 1st runner up thing could be confusing, like 1st place. Why can’t we just do 1 = winner. 2nd place. 3 place?! And yes, font was very small! and miss Universe was in the corner while the other two were top left. Very weird.
I totally agree!! LIVE TV can be difficult! lol! The print was WAYYYY to tiny to read! Great post! Thanks for sharing this post!
So I’m conspiracy theorizing – I kind of think he did it on purpose. I mean really, when was the last time we talked THIS MUCH about Miss Universe?
Also – LOVE the advice about NOT DELETING TWEETS!!!!