Falling Nielsen ratings, rising costs, and perhaps a side of cast upheaval, seem to have taken a lethal bite out of an established daytime delicacy. ABC has cancelled The Chew TV show after seven seasons. Instead of season eight, the Alphabet Network has ordered an additional hour of Good Morning America — in the afternoon. Reportedly, the GMA expansion will not affect Live with Kelly & Ryan, which airs at 10:00am ET.
A cooking and lifestyle TV show, The Chew premiered on ABC on September 26, 2011, with original hosts Mario Batali, Daphne Oz, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, and Clinton Kelly. When the production did not replace Oz, who left after the sixth season, fans started listening for the kitchen timer of doom.
Then, during the first half of The Chew season seven, sexual impropriety allegations involving Batali (not show-related) came to light. After a brief investigation, the formerly celebrated chef and restaurateur was officially terminated from The Chew, in December of 2017. Once again, cancellation talk bubbled up — like yeast during proofing.
Symon, Hall, and Kelly have done their level best to fill the gaps at the host table, so perhaps this show has just reached its expiration date. According to reports, The Chew will finish out its regular seventh season production schedule. As with past seasons, new episodes will air throughout the month of June, with repackaged segments taking over until September.
No Season Eight — The Chew to be Replaced by Good Morning America
ABC News’ Good Morning America, will expand to three hours. The new third hour will air at 1 PM. EDT, noon CDT/PDT. The extra hour will replace ABC’s daytime food-themed program The Chew which, after seven seasons, 1454 episodes, multiple Emmy nominations and two Emmy Awards, will cease production at the end of this season but will continue to air as planned until September with all-new episodes airing in June.
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“Over the past six years Good Morning America has solidified its place as America’s No. 1 morning show,” said Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney|ABC Television. “We believe there is great opportunity for viewers and advertisers in expanding to a third hour.”
“While this is the right decision for our business, it is also bittersweet,” Sherwood added. “For seven years ‘The Chew’ has delighted audiences by delivering innovative food segments in an entertaining atmosphere. We applaud and thank Gordon Elliott, Aimee Householder, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and the entire cast and crew for their great work and amazing run. And we wish them the very best.”
In telling his staff, executive producer and “The Chew” show creator Elliott saluted ABC’s move into a brand-new genre seven years ago. “Before ‘The Chew,’ no one had attempted a talk/food hybrid. Our hosts Clinton, Carla and Michael and the staff created television history executing the show as well as they did for all these years. I know I speak for all of the people who work on the show when I say it was the best television we have ever had the privilege to produce.”
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“Good Morning America keeps finding new ways to inform and delight our audience. We recently expanded GMA through our social channels and a newly launched website. Now we will build a whole new hour of compelling content that is true to GMA;s spirit,” said James Goldston, president of ABC News.
Additional details about the program, including the title and anchors, will be announced in the coming months.
What do you think? Are you a fan of The Chew TV series? Do you think the Batali scandal and firing were the final straw, or was it time to end the show, anyhow? If it were up to you, would ABC have cancelled or renewed The Chew for an eighth season? Sound off in the comments.
6/15/18 update: The final episode airs. Should The Chew have been cancelled? Vote here.
Please reconsider. The Chew is one of the best daytime shows around. Why are they canceling?
So sorry to see a refreshing, entertaining show leave. No violence, just fun and love. I quit watching GMA a long time ago. Was sorry to see when they took All My Children off but have really enjoyed this replacement. Learned a lot from this show. They never considered the older generation when they decided to do this. We are probably the majority of the ones that are at home watching in the day time and ABC only seemed to consider 50 and younger. I am 70 and not dead yet and their are a lot of us left. I… Read more »
I can’t believe this show has been cancelled….well, actually I CAN, because it seems like all the GOOD shows get the ax….I am seriously sad that the chew is going to be SPIT OUT……
Stupid network decision which will prove to be wrong.
Please don’t CANCEL last thing we need is another hour of good morning America!!!!!!!!!!
So disappointed to not only lose The Chew but also don’t feel it necessary to have more of GMA. The Chew is also refreshing to watch that is different from all the news feeds every day. I have learned a lot and hope they can bring The Chew back! I also hope they never get rid of the web site where I look to for recipes!
Please, please don’t cancel The Chew. I love this show. It’s informative and so much fun. I laugh out loud with them. There are only 3 shows during the day that are must watch hours for me…Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Chew and Ellen. I schedule things that I have to do around these times. Believe me, I will NOT be watching another hour of GMA. I think you just need to revamp a little, add a guest co-host everyday and possibly another regular host. In my opinion, (unrequited of course), you’re making a big mistake by taking this… Read more »
The Chew in my opinion is one of the greatest afternoon programs on the air.It’s a shame that ABC is pulling it off the air.Michael,Carla.and Clinton have helped my cooking so much I can’t express it enough.I have truly enjoyed every minute and am still hoping that ABC will reconsider their decision.Please ABC reconsider!
So sorry you’re leaving! I personally would have enjoyed more of the teach-me-how, this is how it SHOULD look cooking, but my husband and I have certainly enjoyed all seven seasons. We’ve tried many of your recipes, but enjoyed all your presentations. Thank you. See you in your next endeavors.
I am disappointed that the Chew is being cancelled. The show has given me a lot of tips on preparing and cooking different foods. The three of them, Symon, Carla, and Clinton, make the show entertaining and informative. The time slot for Central Time is perfect. I know they are being replaced with Good Morning America, which is also a good show, but couldn’t you have found another hour in the afternoon for it? I will really miss the Chew.
I love The Chew. I make all of my appointments before it comes on or after it goes off. I love the cast and especially their recipes. I’m brokenhearted to see if go.
Love The Chew.. loved it with all 5…then 4.. Loved Mario who I had followed since Multo Mario.. Alas!
Give these very Talented 3, Another year!..So Much Great Info!!. who needs another hour of GM America!
Please do not cancel The CHEW for more news…we already have enough news and it’s nothing but bad news anyway! The host ( Michael Symon, Carla Hall, and Clinton Kelly )make my day and help me with my cooking issues. Please leave this show on for more seasons to come….so many people will be out of jobs and so many viewers will be missing out on what the Chew has to offer!!!
We watched this show every day. We even made some of the featured recipes at home. We will miss this show and doubt we’ll be watching GMA in it’s place.
I am so saddened that the Chew has been cancelled. I wish they could’ve kept it on the air. I’m really going to miss watching it.