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.
As so many have already said, I am so sad to hear that The Chew has been cancelled. I surely won’t be watching GMA. I will miss the hosts’ camaraderie and chemistry. They really seem to like each other and their different strengths complement one another.
ABC is making a big mistake! My tv will be tuned elsewhere at 1pm on weekdays.
I hope, at least, the website will remain as a reference for so many great recipes.
Bad move, ABC!!
This makes me ill. The Chew is my very favorite show, and I try to schedule my activities around it. Just like so many others have commented, I have no intention of watching another hour of Pop News on GMA.
Not happy about the cancellation…gonna miss the chew☹️
I’m devastated that The Chew is cancelled. I think Michael, Clinton and Carla did a wonderful job carrying on with the show. I liked it even better with Mario gone. His recipes were too fancy for me. Michael is my fav and I hope he will some day have his own show. ABC was very wrong to cancel this show. Shame on you!
I am devastated to learn The Chew has been cancelled. I watch every episode. If I’m not going to be home, I tape it. Carla, Clinton and Michael are wonderful. This is a huge mistake, I will never watch a third hr. of GMA. My TV will be off at 1:00 or on another station. Can’t believe this was done!!
The show is refreshing, ABC you are making a huge mistake. Please reconsider. Daphne had a very bad attitude which cam through on the screen. I don’t even miss Mario. The remaining cast is the highlight of the day. They are bright and funny not to mention great recipes. Who needs more GMA, I don’t watch it in the morning.
The chew is the best.
Cast my vote for season 8
I DO NOT need another hour of GMA! I’ll be looking elsewhere.
I can’t believe The Chew is being cancelled to add another HOUR of GMA!! It is an outdated news program that in my opinion is “stale” and outdated!! I switched to the TODAY show long ago. I’ve watched the Chew from the beginning and the hosts are always happy, fun and knowledgeable (they give you the techniques not just new recipes. I hope ABC is reconsiding and retains The Chew or ANOTHER NETWORK PICKS THEM UP!! This program is too good to lose!!! I’m going to miss you Carla, Clinton and Michael!!! I’ll be looking for you wherever you “land.”… Read more »
Just what we need is another hour of distorted & depressing news. I’ll miss you ABC!!
I do not need anymore news. My doc says to stop watching the new because of the depression it causes.
I love the Chew! Can’t stand GMA and we certainly do need another hour of it. I truly hope the Chew will be picked up by another station.
I was shocked when I heard the chew was cancelled. It is a bright spot in my day. It is like family taken away. I have learned so many tips and good recipes from the show. Just what we need is another news show. I do watch GMA, but 2 hrs. is enough. You are making a big mistake.
I agree with Claudia Hamilton and Joyce, every thing that they expressed is exactly what I feel. The Chew was the high light and best part of my day. I am so sad to see such an uplifting show be cancelled. Never have watched GMA and never will, check your ratings now. Big mistake on ABC’s choice.
Bad Call! I don’t watch Good Morning America because I find it too predictable. Talk about changes. Robin is not on the show most of the time and Lara is only on the show part time. Loved the chew. Good riddance to Mario as I couldn’t stand his attitude. Think the show is better without him. The whole cast is a breathe of fresh air. We don’t need more talk shows, Donald Trump hype or more bad news. Good luck with your new ratings.
Claudia could not have expressed my thoughts any better !!!
I will miss the Chew very much, it was entertaining, and I love the easy recipes each day. ABC is making a big mistake, people want to laugh and learn new things which the Chew gives us. GMA is filled with depressing news and Americans don’t need any more of that. I feel Michael, Carla, and Clinton did a wonderful job and they will have a bright future no matter where they go, ABC is going to lose out on all the high ratings that the show gave. They should let the people decide if they want the show to… Read more »
I agree with Claudia!