Carmine
Identifiers
CAS number	1260-17-9
PubChem	10255083
ChemSpider	8430568
ChEMBL	CHEMBL263094
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES O=C(O)c2c(c3C(=O)c1c(O)c(c(O)c(O)c1C(=O)c3cc2O)[C@@H]4O[C@@H]([C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H]4O)CO)C
InChI InChI=1S/C22H20O13/c1-4-8-5(2-6(24)9(4)22(33)34)13(25)10-11(15(8)27)16(28)12(18(30)17(10)29)21-20(32)19(31)14(26)7(3-23)35-21/h2,7,14,19-21,23-24,26,28-32H,3H2,1H3,(H,33,34)/t7-,14-,19+,20-,21+/m1/s1 Key: DGQLVPJVXFOQEV-JNVSTXMASA-N InChI=1/C22H20O13/c1-4-8-5(2-6(24)9(4)22(33)34)13(25)10-11(15(8)27)16(28)12(18(30)17(10)29)21-20(32)19(31)14(26)7(3-23)35-21/h2,7,14,19-21,23-24,26,28-32H,3H2,1H3,(H,33,34)/t7-,14-,19+,20-,21+/m1/s1 Key: DGQLVPJVXFOQEV-JNVSTXMABW
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Carmine ( /ˈkɑrmɪn/ or /ˈkɑrmaɪn/), also called Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red 4^[1], C.I. 75470^[1], or E120, is a pigment of a bright-red color obtained from the aluminum salt of carminic acid, which is produced by some scale insects, such as the cochineal scale and the Polish cochineal, and is used as a general term for a particularly deep-red color of the same name. Carmine is used in the manufacture of artificial flowers, paints, crimson ink, rouge, and other cosmetics, and is routinely added to food products such as yogurt and certain brands of juice, the most notable ones being those of the ruby-red variety.

To prepare carmine, the powdered scale insect bodies are boiled in ammonia or a sodium carbonate solution, the insoluble matter is removed by filtering, and alum is added to the clear salt solution of carminic acid to precipitate the red aluminium salt, called "carmine lake" or "crimson lake." Purity of color is ensured by the absence of iron. Stannous chloride, citric acid, borax, or gelatin may be added to regulate the formation of the precipitate. For shades of purple, lime is added to the alum; thus, the traditional crimson color is guaranteed not only by carminic acid but also by choice of its chelating metal salt ion.^[2]

Etymology[link]

The English word "carmine" is derived from the French word carmin (12 c.), from Medieval Latin carminium, from Arabic qirmiz "crimson," from Sanskrit krimiga "insect-produced", from krmi "worm, insect." Influenced in Latin by minium "red lead, cinnabar", said to be of Iberian origin.^[3]

Production[link]

A cluster of Dactylopius coccus females growing in Barlovento, La Palma, Canary Islands.

Zapotec nests on Opuntia ficus-indica host cacti.

Carmine may be prepared from cochineal,^[4] by boiling dried insects in water to extract the carminic acid and then treating the clear solution with alum. Other substances such as cream of tartar, stannous chloride, or potassium hydrogen oxalate can also be used to effect the precipitation, but aluminum is needed for the color. Use of these chemicals causes the coloring and animal matters present in the liquid to be precipitated to give a lake pigment. Aluminum from the alum gives the traditional crimson color to carminic acid precipitates, which are called carmine lakes or crimson lakes. This color is degraded by the presence of iron salts. Addition of lime (calcium) can give carminic acid lakes a purple cast.^[2]

Other methods for the production of carmine dye are in use, in which egg white, fish glue, or gelatine is sometimes added before the precipitation.

The carminic acid used to produce the pigment can also be extracted from various microbes engineered for the purpose. Microbes are dissolved in a containment structure separate from their cultivation vats, and then allowed to settle out. The liquid and suspended carminic acid is then siphoned off, and metal salts are then added to give a lake pigment in a procedure that is mostly identical to the procedure for acid extracted from insects.

The quality of carmine is affected by the temperature and the degree of illumination during its preparation, sunlight being requisite for the production of a brilliant hue. It also differs according to the amount of alumina present in it. It is sometimes adulterated with cinnabar, starch and other materials; from these, the carmine can be separated by dissolving it in ammonia. Good carmine should crumble readily between the fingers when dry.

Carmine can be used as a staining agent in microbiology, as a Best's carmine to stain glycogen, mucicarmine to stain acidic mucopolysaccharides, and carmalum to stain cell nuclei. In these applications, it is applied together with a mordant, usually an Al(III) salt.

Allergy[link]

Carmine is used as a food dye in many different products such as juices, ice cream, yogurt, and candy, and as a dye in cosmetic products such as eyeshadow and lipstick. Although principally a red dye, it is found in many foods that are shades of red, pink, and purple. As a food dye it has been known to cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock in some people.^[5][6]

Regulations for use in foods[link]

United States[link]

In January 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration evaluated a proposal that would require food products containing carmine to list it by name on the ingredient label.^[7] It was also announced that the FDA will separately review the ingredient labels of prescription drugs that contain colorings derived from carmine. A request from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (article titled: "FDA Urged to Improve Labeling of or Ban Carmine Food Coloring"^[8][9]) to require ingredient labels to explicitly state that carmine may cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock and that it is derived from insects was declined by the FDA. Food industries were aggressively opposed to the idea of writing "insect-based" on the label, and they finally agreed to putting simply "carmine."^{[citation needed]}

Carmine is approved as dye for foodstuffs. In January 2009, FDA passed a new regulation^[10] requiring carmine and cochineal to be listed by name on the label.

Although concerns over hazards from allergic reactions have been asserted,^[11] the FDA has not banned the use of carmine and states it found no evidence of a "significant hazard" to the general population.^[12] As with many chemical compounds, the dye may still pose an allergen hazard to a subset of the population.

European Union[link]

In the European Union, the use of carmine in foods is regulated under the European Commission's directives governing food additives in general^[13][14] and food dyes in particular^[15] and listed under the names Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines and Natural Red 4 as additive E 120 in the list of EU-approved food additives.^[16] The directive governing food dyes approves the use of carmine for certain groups of foods only^[17] and specifies a maximum amount which is permitted or restricts it to the quantum satis.

The EU-Directive 2000/13/EC^[18] on food labeling mandates that carmines (like all food additives) must be included in the list of ingredients of a food product with its additive category and listed name or additive number, that is either as Food colour carmines or as Food colour E 120 in the local language(s) of the market(s) the product is sold in.

Although concerns of hazards from allergic reactions were raised, the use of carmine in foods is not banned in the EU. However, the use of carmine in foods has been discouraged by European Food Safety Authorities, and, although it is used predominantly as coloring in alcoholic beverages, it can still be found in foods such as supermarket Indian curries. A re-evaluation process of the approval status of several food colors (including carmine) was started by the Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food of the EFSA in early 2006 and is scheduled to be completed by 2008.^[19][20]

As of January, 2012, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has changed the way they manufacture Carmine E120 for pharmaceutical products. The EFSA had raised concerns, over the increasing number of allergic reactions to Carmine derived from insects (E120.360), when used within the British pharmacopeia. Pharmaceutical products which had previously contained insect-derived carmine, have been replaced with a synthesised version of the food colorant. Internal studies have shown that the new formulations, of popular anti-nausea and weight-gain liquid medication, had a significantly lower risk in terms of allergic reactions.^{[citation needed]} The new formulation is known to be of plant origin, using calcium oxide in order to gauge colour depth.

References[link]

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

Further reading[link]

• Greenfield, Amy Butler (2005). A perfect red: Empire, espionage, and the quest for the color of desire. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-052275-5. 

External links[link]

• Center for Science in the Public Interest press release Bug-Based Food Dye Should Be ... Exterminated, Says CSPI
• LaVerne M. Dutton. "Cochineal: A Bright Red Animal Dye". Master's Thesis for Baylor University. http://www.cochineal.info/. Retrieved November 13, 2010. 

This Sopranos-related article describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please help rewrite it to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. (June 2010)

Carmine Lupertazzi, Sr., played by Tony Lip, was the fictional boss of the Brooklyn-based Lupertazzi crime family on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.

Biography[link]

Carmine Lupertazzi was an old school mafioso of Corrado "Junior" Soprano's generation. He kept a low-profile for most of his criminal career while operating out of his social clubs and restaurants. Carmine was arrested and acquitted of labor racketeering charges in the 1980s. It was around this time that Carmine's longtime Consigliere, Angelo "Angie" Garepe and longtime Lupertazzi family captain Philip "Phil" Leotardo were convicted of various racketeering charges and sent to prison for 20 years each. During Carmine's tenure, the New York organization maintained close ties to New Jersey's DiMeo/Soprano crime family.

Carmine was intelligent, calm, and an opportunist, even in his old age. Despite being a loving father and grandfather, grooming his own son, namesake "Little" Carmine Lupertazzi, by making him a capo in the crime family that bears his name, he remained foremost a ruthless mobster, making threats and ordering murders. He had a sometimes contentious relationship with his Underboss, John "Johnny Sack" Sacramoni: during different episodes in the fourth season, Johnny and Carmine each authorized Tony Soprano to put a "hit" on the other, although in neither case was the killing actually carried out.

In 2004, Carmine's health began to fail and he suffered a stroke on the golf course. After some time comatose in the hospital, Carmine died, leaving a large power vacuum in the Lupertazzi crime family. The "heir apparent" for his position was his son, Little Carmine, a fact that became a point of consternation for Johnny Sack, who also sought the position Carmine left behind.

Carmine once told Tony Soprano that "a Don doesn't wear shorts", after he was seen to be wearing them at a backyard cook-out considering it undignified, Tony never again wore them while Carmine was alive, but did wear them again after Carmine died. Though he regarded Tony and the entire New Jersey crime family as nothing more than a "glorified crew" in private, Lupertazzi did show some respect for Tony as a man, at one time saying he would be proud to call Tony his own son (right in front of his real son, Little Carmine). This was most evident when he showed genuine concern for Tony's health after hearing rumors that he was seeing a psychiatrist and having panic attacks, he asked Tony to do him a favor and look into his attacks, for his own safety.

In the episode "Rat Pack", Tony sits with Junior and makes conversations with both Robert "Bobby Bacala" Baccalieri and Michele "Feech" La Manna, when they suddenly are called up with the information that Carmine has passed during the night. Bobby sees Carmine as a great man, and shares that he heard Carmine was the one who invented "point shaving", a way to limit the points in basketball games, by players purposely missing shots, betting against the team, and making a huge profit off it. This is also confirmed by Junior, who replies that back in 1951, the CCNY Point Shaving Scandal Carmine orchestrated, resulted in him buying a Fleetwood from the small fortune he won betting on the game.

External links[link]

• HBO Profile: Carmine Lupertazzi

Carmine Appice
Appice in in Arlington, Massachusetts performing with the Vanilla Fudge in a reunion tour, March 26, 2011
Background information
Birth name	Carmine Appice
Born	(1946-12-15) December 15, 1946 (age 65) Brooklyn, New York United States
Genres	Hard rock, psychedelic rock, blues-rock, heavy metal, glam metal
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Drums, percussion, vocals
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Atlantic, Atco, Epic, Repertoire
Associated acts	Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus, Ted Nugent, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Beck, Bogert & Appice, King Kobra, Blue Murder, Mother's Army, Travers & Appice, KGB, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Pappo, Paul Stanley, Marty Friedman, Hear 'n Aid
Website	Official website

Carmine Appice (born December 15, 1946) is an American rock drummer of Italian background and is the older brother of drummer Vinny Appice by 12 years. He received a classical music training and was influenced by the jazz drumming of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa early on. Appice is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice.

Appice is known for his showmanship, stick tosses and twirls. He is considered one of the most accomplished showmen in rock^[1] and was the first rock drummer to organise drum clinics held at college campuses, theatres, and drum stores. He is credited with influencing drummers including: Nicko McBrain, Fast Joey Brighton, Joey Kramer, Roger Meddows-Taylor, Phil Collins, Neil Peart, Tommy Lee, Dave Lombardo, Richard Christy, David Kinkade, Ray Mehlbaum, Robb Reiner, and Eric Singer.

His best-selling drum instruction book The Realistic Rock Drum Method^[2] was first published in 1972, and has since been revised and republished as The Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method.^[3] It covers the basic subjects of rock rhythms and polyrhythms, linear rudiments and groupings, shuffle rhythms, hi-hat, and double bass drum exercises.

Biography[link]

Appice performing with Beck, Bogert, and Appice, 1972

Appice first came to prominence as the percussionist with the late 1960s psychedelic band Vanilla Fudge. Appice contributed distinctive background harmonies with the bassist Tim Bogert. After five albums, Appice and Bogert left Vanilla Fudge^[4] to form the blues rock quartet Cactus,^[5] with vocalist Rusty Day and guitarist Jim McCarty. Appice then left Cactus with Bogert to join Jeff Beck in the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice.^[6] Appice joined Rod Stewart's backing band in 1977, co-writing songs such as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Young Turks". He also played drums on a track on Paul Stanley's eponymous solo album (1978).^[7]

He was a member of KGB which featured Ray Kennedy, Ric Grech, Mike Bloomfield, and Barry Goldberg. Appice has recorded with artists such as Stanley Clarke, Ted Nugent, and Pink Floyd. He has also played with King Kobra and Blue Murder with John Sykes. On May 23, 1981, Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles proclaimed that day as Carmine Appice Day in L.A in recognition of Appice's charitable and educational work.^[8] Later in 1983 he toured with Ozzy Osbourne to promote Bark at the Moon (1983).

Appice recorded Caso Cerrado (1995) with the Argentine guitarist Pappo.^[9] They were also joined by bassist Tim Bogert on four songs including "P. B. A. Boogie". In 2000, Appice formed the power trio DBA with Tim Bogert and Rick Derringer and was reunited once again with Bogert when they reformed Vanilla Fudge.

In 2005, he became an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization which provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in less privileged public schools throughout the USA. He has personally delivered instruments to children in the program, and has also performed at benefit concerts for the organization and sits on its Honorary Board of Directors.^[10]

In 2006, he formed the drum ensemble SLAMM^[11] in which Appice participates on drums playing along side four young drummers. The show they put on has been described as "Stomp on steroids". The band filmed a promotional video for the Cable Network station ESPN, using a NASCAR garage as a set and mechanic's hardware as instruments.^[12] They were voted as the runner-up in the Drum magazine poll for Percussion Ensemble (2008) after a special appearance at the magazine's drum festival.^[13] SLAMM also appears on the Modern Drummer festival DVD (2008).^[14]

He recorded Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus:Conquering Heroes (2009). This was the third album in his Guitar Zeus series. These albums have featured guitarists such as Jennifer Batten, Brian May, Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Carmine Appice lives in New York and Los Angeles with Gold.

He recently lent his talents to the Sly Stone CD I’m Back! Family & Friends, where he plays on the Sly classic "Stand!" It was released Aug. 16 2011

He is currently on an American tour with the Michael Schenker Group.

2011 saw Carmine performing Drum Wars shows with his brother Vinny Appice, as well a reformation of King Kobra with Johnny Rod, Mick Sweda, and David Henzerling, with Paul Shortino replacing Mark Free on lead vocals. This lineup released an eponymous album in April 2011 on the Frontiers label which received critical acclaim

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Carmine Appice

• Carmine Appice (1981)
• Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus (1995)
• Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus II (2001)
• V8 (2008)
• Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus: Conquering Heroes (double CD) (2009)

Vanilla Fudge

• Vanilla Fudge (1967)
• Renaissance (1968)
• The Beat Goes On (1968)
• Near the Beginning (1969)
• Rock & Roll (1970)
• Mystery (1984)
• The Return (2001)
• Out Through The In Door (2007)
• Orchestral Fudge (2008)

Rod Stewart

• Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977)
• Blondes Have More Fun (1978)
• Foolish Behaviour (1980)
• Tonight I'm Yours (1981)

Cactus

• Cactus (1970)
• One Way...Or Another (1971)
• Restrictions (1971)
• 'Ot 'N' Sweaty (1972)
• Cactus V (2006)

Beck, Bogert & Appice

• Beck, Bogert & Appice (1973)
• Live in Japan (1974)

Derringer, Bogert & Appice

• Doin’ Business As… (2001)

Char, Bogert & Appice

• Live In Japan (1999)

Vargas, Bogert & Appice

• Javier Vargas, Tim Bogert, Carmine Appice: Featuring Paul Shortino (2011)

Jan Akkerman

• Tabernakel (1974)^[15]

KGB

• KGB (1976)
• Motion (1976)

Paul Stanley

• Paul Stanley (1978)

Ted Nugent

• Nugent (1982)

DNA

• Party Tested (1983)^[16]

King Kobra

• Ready to Strike (1985)
• Thrill of a Lifetime (1986)
• King Kobra III (1988)
• Hollywood Trash (2001)
• King Kobra (2011)

Blue Murder

• Blue Murder (1989)
• Nothin' But Trouble (1993)

Mothers Army

• Mothers Army (1993)
• Planet Army (1997)
• Fire On The Moon (1998)

Pappo's Blues

• Caso Cerrado (1995)

Marty Friedman

• True Obsessions (1996)

Travers & Appice^[17] (as duet with Pat Travers)

• It Takes A Lot Of Balls (2004)
• Live At The House Of Blues (2005)
• Bazooka (2006)

Pink Floyd^[18]

• "Dogs Of War" from A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)^[19]

Awards[link]

• Hollywood Rock walk of fame
• Modern Drummer. Best Rock drummer. Editors award (lifetime achievement)
• Sabian Cymbals. Best Rock drummer award (lifetime achievement).
• Guitar Center. Legends award

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Hjort, Chris and Hinman, Doug. Jeff's book : A chronology of Jeff Beck's career 1965-1980 : from the Yardbirds to Jazz-Rock. Rock 'n' Roll Research Press, (2000). ISBN 0-9641005-3-3
• Realistic Rock: 35th Anniversary Special Edition. Appice, Carmine. Alfred Publishing Company (March 2007) ISBN 0-7390-4566-0
• The Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method. Appice, Carmine. Alfred Publishing Company (July 2000).ISBN 08-972-44869
• Ultimate Play-Along Drum Trax. Appice, Carmine Guitar Zeus. Alfred Publishing Company (August 2004) ISBN 0-7579-1916-2
• Rudiments to Rock. Alfred Publishing Company (July 1995). ISBN 0-7692-5075-0
• Realistic Rock for Kids. Alfred Publishing Company (2003)
• http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/appice.php

External links[link]

• Carmine Appice official website
• Cactus official website
• official Slamm website

The Steve Harvey Show (also known as Steve Harvey) is an American sitcom that aired for six seasons from August 25, 1996 to February 17, 2002 on The WB Television Network. It was created by Winifred Hervey and directed by Stan Lathan.

Synopsis[link]

Steve Hightower (Steve Harvey) is a has-been 1970s funk legend who is now a music teacher/Vice-principal at Booker T. Washington High School on Chicago's West Side. Budget cutbacks meant Steve also had to teach drama and art, much to his surprise. Cedric Robinson (Cedric the Entertainer) is a coach at the high school, and Steve's long-time best friend. The principal of Booker T. Washington High is Steve's former classmate, Regina Grier (Wendy Raquel Robinson), who Steve affectionately calls "Piggy", due to the fact that she was overweight as an adolescent.

Steve seemingly meets his match in a pair of his students: Romeo Santana (Merlin Santana), a stylish, popular, self-absorbed ladies' man, and the equally vacuous Stanley Kuznocki, nicknamed Bullethead (William Lee Scott).

In 1997, the show introduced a new character, a secretary named Lovita Jenkins (Terri J. Vaughn), a woman who is fundamentally good in nature, but nonetheless, considerably unrefined in terms of disposition. Cedric and Lovita begin dating, and eventually marry and produce a child. The show also featured a succession of young actresses who served as female foils to Romeo and Bullethead; the longest-lasting of these was Lori Beth Denberg as the overachieving, socially inept Lydia Gutman. Rapper The Lady of Rage also had a recurring role as Coretta Cox, a physically massive, brutish teenaged girl in romantic pursuit of Romeo. She would also call Bullethead a "broke Brad Pitt" whenever he annoyed her.

Steve was part of a fictional singing group called "Steve Hightower and the High Tops," who would temporarily reunite to perform on occasion (the spelling of "High Tops" appears on a promotional poster that hangs on Steve's wall). The members consisted of Steve, T-Bone (played by T.K. Carter, later by Don 'D.C.' Curry), Pretty Tony (played by Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers), and Clyde (played by Jonathan Slocumb). Two of their signature songs (performed several times on the show) were "When the Funk Hits the Fan," and "Break Me Off a Piece of That Funk." Though Cedric was not an original member of the group, he usually sang with them on several events.

A few other recurring characters throughout the series included Cedric's grandmother named "Grandma Puddin'" (played by Cedric the Entertainer) and Regina's boyfriend, former NFL star Warrington Steele (played by Dorien Wilson). Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell appeared in several episodes as "Junior" and "Vincent." Wayne Wilderson portrayed Byron, a "bougie" type character who was a TV producer and a member of the Onyx Club (a professional men's group that Steve and Cedric tried to join). Dwayne Adway played Jordan Maddox, a professional basketball player who was briefly married to Regina before dying during their honeymoon. Ernest Lee Thomas made a couple of appearances as the Reverend who eulogized Maddox, and who married Cedric and Lovita.

Running gags[link]

There were a few recurrent gags throughout the series. For instance, Lovita had several relatives named after products or items (her brother's name was Duracell; she had cousins named "Kinko", "Bruschetta," "Clinique," and "Camay").

Steve also made several references to his well known hot spot "The Nasty Kitty" and his favorite working girl, Bubblicious, even though the strip club is never seen. Steve's topical humor of popular culture was also another recurring gag. One example of these jokes: "When I see that woman, I'm like Shaq doing Shakespeare- I just don't know how to act!". Another recurring gag on the show was despite being a one-time famous musician in the universe of the show, Steve was always mistaken for being other famous musicians. For example, in an episode guest starring Jerry Springer, he refers to him as "That Cop from the Village People." Another episode featured singer Teena Marie, who when Steve went to introduce himself to see if she'd remember him, answers "Oh Yes! Lionel! How are you? Give my best to the rest of The Commodores." (This was in obvious reference to singer Lionel Richie).

Though Regina blossomed into a beautiful, stylish lady, she sometimes displayed her insecurities, and was highly competitive (always displayed childlike exuberance whenever she won a trophy by yelling her signature catch phrase "Bam! In your face!", and once cheated Steve in a game of Scrabble because he played it better than she). In addition, the romantic tension between Steve and Regina eventually blossomed into a relationship.

A very well known gag was Cedric's story about being from Willacoochee, Georgia, where he was raised in a one bedroom shack. The story was never finished, the scene would change or someone would interrupt him. Cedric's love for decking out his Hyundai, which was never seen in the show, was another running gag, as well as offering to take Lovita out to dinner whenever he had a two-for-one coupon at the Sizzler restaurant.

Occasional gags referenced Bullethead's trailer park lifestyle, and Romeo's numerous names (he has used the names Romeo Miguel Jesus Pele Rojas Alejandro Santana). In one episode, he wrote all of his names on paper but never prepared his assignment, resulting in an "F." Lydia almost always displayed an obsession for her classmate/alleged lover, Arthur Rabinowitz (whom Steve referred to as "that polite Jewish boy that does his taxes"), and for her favorite entertainer, Barbra Streisand; however, she had total disdain for classmates "Heather the cheerleader" and "Jennifer the cheerleader". One other gag was that teachers would refer to a student (amongst themselves) due to a condition or appearance ("Helmet Boy" for wearing a special helmet in gym class; "Au Natural Girl" for having a strong body odor, and "Firestarter" for one kid who kept setting items on fire).

Cast[link]

Main cast[link]

• Steve Harvey – Steven "Steve" Hightower
• Cedric the Entertainer – Cedric Jackie Robinson
• Merlin Santana – Romeo Santana
• William Lee Scott – Stanley "Bullethead" Kuznocki
• Wendy Raquel Robinson – Principal Regina Grier-Maddox
• Terri J. Vaughn – Lovita Alizé Jenkins-Robinson (1997–2002)
• Tracy Vilar – Sophia Ortiz (1996–1997)
• Netfa Perry – Sara (1996–1997)
• Ariyan A. Johnson – Aisha (1997–1998)
• Lori Beth Denberg – Lydia Liza Guttman (1998–2002)

Recurring cast[link]

• Kel Mitchell – Vincent (1996–1999)
• Kenan Thompson – Junior (1996–1999)
• T. K. Carter – T-Bone (1996–1999)
• Ronald Isley – Pretty Tony (1996–2001)
• Jonathan Slocumb – Clyde (1996–2001)
• The Lady of Rage – Coretta "The Ox" Cox (1997–2000; credited during season 4 episodes as "Robin Yvette")
• Wayne Wilderson – Byron (1998–2001)
• Dorien Wilson – Warrington Steele (1998–1999)
• Samm Levine – Arthur Rabinowitz (2001)
• Don "D.C." Curry – T-Bone (1999–2001)
• Dwayne Adway – Jordan Maddox (2000)

Special guest appearances[link]

• Teena Marie
• Jerry Springer
• Bow Wow
• Jermaine Dupri
• Teddy Riley
• Snoop Dogg
• Sean Combs
• Kim Fields
• Isabel Sanford
• Judge Greg Mathis
• Antonio Fargas
• Busta Rhymes
• Brian McKnight
• Nikki Cox
• Boris Kodjoe
• Gabrielle Union
• Bumper Robinson

Seasonal ratings in the United States[link]

Series end[link]

In 2001, Harvey decided to pursue other projects. He wished to end the show after the fifth season, but at the insistence of the WB network, reluctantly filmed a 13-episode sixth season.^[7]

The series ended with Regina mulling over a job offer to be a principal at a private school in California. Steve, who doesn't want Regina to go, acts supportive despite his feelings. Regina ends up taking the job; with encouragement from Lydia, Bullethead, and Romeo, Steve decides to go after her to reveal his true feelings. Lydia, Romeo and Bullethead have all graduated by the series' finale. Meanwhile, Cedric and Lovita win the lottery and Lovita goes into labor (Terri J. Vaughn's real-life pregnancy was written into the show that season).

Death of Merlin Santana[link]

On November 9, 2002, nine months after the series ended, Merlin Santana was shot and killed while sitting in his car in South Los Angeles, California. He was 26 years old. The reason for his death is that one of the killers' girlfriend falsely stated that Santana tried to rape her. The airing of The Steve Harvey Show immediately following Santana's death was dedicated to his memory.

Syndication[link]

The series was first distributed to syndication to WB and UPN affiliates in the United States by Columbia TriStar Domestic Television in September 2001, and remained airing in broadcast syndication in some U.S. markets on various local stations (such as WCIU and Me-TV in Chicago) as late as 2008.

The series aired on BET until March 2009, and was on TBS in the United States until September 24, 2011, UK Channel Trouble. It was broadcast on Ion Television until March 16, 2009. TBS missed most of the first inning of Game 6 of the 2008 American League Championship Series, with viewers getting a rerun of The Steve Harvey Show instead. TBS picked up the game just prior to the last out in the bottom of the first, with announcer Chip Caray apologizing to viewers for "technical difficulties." TBS acknowledged there was a problem with one of their routers used in the broadcast transmission of the relay of the telecast from Atlanta.^[8][9]

DVD release[link]

In 2003, Sony Pictures released The Best of the Steve Harvey Show, Vol. 1, on Region 1 DVD. The disc features five episodes of the series.^[10]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]