Steve Harvey: Wait 90 Days to ‘Give Up the Cookie’

In a surprising turn for the network, ABC’s “Nightline” included a strong pro-abstinence message on April 6 when it featured comedian and radio host Steve Harvey.

Harvey is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” which is all about love and relationships and includes advice on waiting to “give up the cookie.”

Sharyn Alfonsi’s insightful interview with Harvey who has found success with his down-to-earth advice found in his book. “A guy that’s really serious about you, he’s gotta be talking to you,” Harvey told Alfonsi. “He’s gotta wanna have one-on-one, in your face interaction. That’s how we are! The guy that’s just texting you, that’s no effort. He doesn’t have to get in the car, he doesn’t have to remember your number, he can just text you. And you sit there and you see all these wonderful things he's texting you. Well, guess what, he could be ccing that same text to six other women. And you think you're special? … Please.”

But it is Harvey’s stance on sex in a dating relationship that is not typically represented on ABC. “And to that end, Harvey says no woman should quote give up the cookie for 90 days,” Alfonsi said. Harvey likened sex to a benefit package.

“I worked at Ford motor company. They have a probation period. You have to be on the job 90 days in order for Ford motor company to release their benefit package to you. Why do women, who possess the greatest benefit of them all, why you passing out your benefits to a guy who has not been on the job for 90 days and has not proven to you that he's worthy of a benefit package?”

This uninterrupted pro-abstinence stance is quite a turn of events for ABC. The network has taken cheap shots at abstinence education in the past, blaming it for an increase in teen pregnancies among other things. Other media networks have a similar history of giving abstinence a bad reputation saying it doesn’t work.

Harvey also gave some honest advice to boost women’s self esteem and again, ABC let Harvey have the floor. “Skinny or thick?” Alfonsi probed. “Doesn't matter,” Harvey replied. “I have seen both of them look absolutely amazing … Women are the reason we get up every day. I'm talking about real men … These are guys I'm hanging with. I wake up for a woman every day of my life to make it happen for her.”

Even Alfonsi could see Harvey’s love for women as she stated, “But one might have never guessed the comedian would be the voice to convince women to love and respect themselves.”