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.
I thoroughly enjoy The Chew. What I did not enjoy was the selfish rant by Kelly Ripa. Why wasn’t she cut. What right did she have to demand a say in whether Someone left her ‘show’ and went on to better things, but still she reigns on. I quit watching that hot mess. Please, please leave the Chew on air and delete General Hospital and/or Kelly Ripa. I am disabled and watch tv as my entertainment…which Ripa and GH are not. Thank you.
So disappointed with The Chew cancellation. Clinton, Michael and Carla have been my favorite hosts ever. So much fun. They were my daily sunshine.
We really don’t need any more GMA. Definitely not the best morning news show. Chew crew was cancelled without any warning leaving over 100 dedicated employees out in the cold with no salary, no health insurance and no warning. Shame on you ABC
We love The Chew. Best daytime show. I don’t watch ABC and won’t watch a third GMA segment. As I am a shut-in, The Chew is the only show that makes me laugh and makes me want to start my day. I will miss it so much.
Please do not cancel the Chew.. we don not need more GMA! I stopped watching GMA when they pushed out Amy and Laura.. I love the Chew and will not watch more GMA. They tried this before and it didn’t work, learn from your past mistakes.
Please send these comments to someone at ABC who will have the authority to reverse this decision to cancel the show. Such a MISTAKE!
I am very disappointed that The Chew is being cancelled I always enjoyed it We have more than enough news shows In this world we live in we need some light entertainment Please think it over and do not cancel it PLEASE
2 hours of ad-laden GMA is enough already. The only redeeming feature of GMA is the first 20″ when George Stephanopoulos reports the news. Any & all cooking segments on these morning shows are so rushed that that border on rudeness to the guest chef. The Chew, on the other hand, conducts it’s segments – – cooking, craft & interviews — with excellent content & respect to its guest. Rethink your decision!!
My husband & I watch The Chew everyday after the 12:00 ABC News and follow with the Millionaire. With the Chew gone,We will switch to CBS news at Noon and turn off the set. This is a great show. Wonderful cooking ideas and how to information. Shame on ABC. A good show gone while you leave shows that are nasty llike The View on . That is one you should take off. I WILL NOT WATCH GMA.
RECONSIDER AND KEEP THE CHEW ON THE AIR.
Wish the staff the best. Will be looking for your elsewhere.
“The Chew” is a great hour of entertainment as well as an informative cooking show. I like the current hosts and feel that they have great chemistry. I like the show better without Daphne and Mario. I think the cancellation of this show is a big mistake. As others have commented, I do not enjoy watching “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and “The View.” Please keep “The Chew” on the air.
Gonna miss The Chew, folks. Folks from The Chew, gonna miss you. Simon and Carla, you have restaurants to run. Clinton, what’s your plans? I always liked What Not To Wear.
Always tried to arrange my daily schedule around The Chew. I have always enjoyed their personalities, recipes, and tips. Sorry this decision has been made.
Love The Chew! It was very entertaining & funny! We don’t need anymore depressing news coverage!
Please reconsider—I love the Chew-have learned so much, and the hosts are so much fun; it isn’t like the other cooking shows—please, please keep the Chew
Please do not cancel the Chew!! I love the show. It is where I get all my recipe ideas for meals! I will not watch another hour of GMA. I feel you are making a huge mistake if you cancel the Chew.
This makes me very sad!
I have enjoyed this program since the beginning. I find it sad, that so many innocent people will pay a price for the behavior of one person, who was rightfully removed. It seems somewhat disloyal of the network.
this show should have been canceled after the first week