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 think it is a disgrace to add one more new show to the broadcast of the day, We already have 10-12 hours of local/national news of depressing, sad news in the day. There are plenty of news channels available to all and I think taking an informative and enjoyable show as The Chew off the air is a disgrace, I have enjoyed this show for many years and gotten many great recepies from it.. I will longer look at your network at the 1;00 pm EST TIME slot. I will truly miss The Chew.
Another reason not to watch ABC ! The Chew was about the only show that was worth watching. It was fun, entertaining and very educational. Not your usual garbage that is on TV today. Please renew. Hopefully another station will pick them up. ho needs more news shows!
This is ridiculous to cancel this show. These guys are great and so entertaining. Another bad decision by ABC. No my wife and I will not be tuning in for another hour of GMA especially since the 3rd hour will be in the afternoon. (GAA)
don’t cancel the chew… Its the only show I really enjoy.. the host are the only ones i liked. you don’t need any other host. the show has a little of everything……. It was fun to watch. take kelly off instead. she’s so into herself it sickening.
Please do not cancel Chew!!!
Please do not cancel Chew!
Please do not take off the chew . We do not need a longer good morning America, some of us really love the chew. It is a nice change of pace, very informative and entertaining. Take off something else please. You are going to lose a lot of viewers.
Please do not cancel The Chew, I adore the crew and watch every day and really enjoy the show. I try almost all the receipts. Please do not cancel.
Barbara from Montreal, Canada.
Watching The Chew is like spending an hour with family. It’s one of the most fun and informative shows on daytime TV. I’d much rather you cancel Rachael Ray and let GMA have her hour.
Please do not cancel the Chew. It is an informative and entertaining show. I don’t think a 3rd hour of GMA is needed, two hours are enough.
The Chew should not be cancelled!!! It’s one of the most informative and interesting shows on daytime TV. (also award winning) No one needs another hour of Today. There’s plenty of crap shows on ABC that you could get rid of, especially the one that comes on at 3PM in the Detroit market. I surely hope someone else picks up these fabulous hosts and gets them on a show with a similar cooking format. This program is filled with so much information about various cooking skills and methods it needs to be on TV.
I am really sad to see the Chew not being renewed. Personally, 3 hours of GMA is the straw that breaks my back…..sorry ABC, 2 hours is more than anyone should have to tolerate.
Please do not leave!!!FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!!!
BAD MOVE! ANOTHER HOUR OF GMA??? WHY??? I will NOT watch it!! I will leave ABC for the 1:00 time slot. Why dont u get rid of “The View” instead??? The View is the most disgusting show on TV these days. Its filled with HATE!! Watch your ratings when u take off The Chew. NO ONE wants another hour of GMA!!!
I love the chew. Please don’t take it off.