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’m and always have been a fervent fan of the The Chew and its people and not at all interested in any other daytime shows. ABC just lost a viewer and I expect I am far from the only one. What happened to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” I kept waiting for another host to appear, just to take the pressure off the remaining three, but ABC made the wrong choice instead, throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Sorry about all the clichés. ABC is clearly out of touch with American viewers.
This is so sad it’s one of my favorite shows. I record it and watch it everyday. I hope the move to one of the cooking channels. Such great energy and they all crack me up! I have nothing negative to say about the show and it’s upsetting that it has been canceled!!
I have never really missed a ‘cancelled’ show or series but this cancellation is going to leave such a void. Since M. Batali was fired Michael, Carla and Clinton came into their own. The whole atmosphere changed for the better, was more fun and light-hearted but still with the wonderful recipes. Will also miss their laughter and giggles. So very sorry and just hope that they will not disappear from tv.
I am in shock. I can’t believe they are cancelling this show and keeping the so disgusting show “The View”. I love watching Michael, Carla and Clinton. I buy my husband hats like Michael (want to know the type). This show is light hearted and fun. Why must we have to watch complaining and bitching about my politics. Soon we will have no more relaxing, fun filled shows. I never have watch ABC’s morning show and never will.
Don’t care cause I watch Days of Our Lives;however this is the one show of it’s kind that I would watch if the time slot permitted. I do feel If Lara Spencer is involved in the new hour, it will fail. I, for one, stopped watching GMA because I never cared for her.
I think your taking off one of your best shows. I’m a Chef and caterer and really enjoyed the way the Chew was put together. I personally only watch the first 17 minutes of GMA and now may not watch it at all. Big mistake
This is a total shame. Michael, Clinton and Carla were so together and funny. Who needs more GMA??????? Shame on ABC.
I’m so confused a show that’s been doing so great with thousands of followers being cancelled has crushed my heart to the point I no longer watch GMA. Hope another network picks this show up I will anxiously be waiting for that glorious day.
I don’t know why you have to cancel The Chew. It was a breath of fresh air from all the news of the day. Now you’re replacing it with another news show. Please rethink about cancelling it or at least bring it back soon. I personally think it is a lot better without Mario Batali. Carla. Michael and Clinton have a genuine love for each other, and it shows.
I am Very sad that The Chew is being cancelled, they always had such great recipes!! It was a fun show!! I wish it could be saved!
I do not think the “The Chew” should be canceled. I have watched the show since the beginning. I will not be watching the new GMA show.
This is so sad…. who wants 3hours of GMA
I am so sorry to see the cancellation on The Chew. Bird perfect lunch time entertainment and I’ve used so many of the recipes, tricks and crafts. I will definitely miss it.
All I can say is NOOO!! Clinton, Carla, and Michael have ,in my opinion, done so many things with food and our experience with food and people. They have taught us ‘older’ generations (I’m 55) some new tricks (like who knew not to go from the refrigerator to the stove with meats??My momma never told me THAT); but also has taught the new generations ‘how’ to cook easy recipes, the right way in the kitchen period, international cooking, spice education, gardening, and table setting to boot! Not to mention Clinton Kelly’s craft corner!! Loved it all and I love you… Read more »
BIG MISTAKE. GOOD DAYTIME TV. TOO BAD YOU DON’T SEE IT THAT WAY.