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.
The Chew has given me several ideas. It pisses me off it’s being taken off the air . To yet have more news that I quit watching. Michael, Carla and Clinton have always been the show. They made me laugh which I don’t often do with a show. This is so sad!! Live the Chew bring it back
Love, loved this show. So refreshing to watch this show. So disappointed to see the Chew go
off the air. Learned a lot & was entertained a lot. Please reconsider bringing the show back.
Watched every show. DISAPPOINTED
I am so angry that the Chew is being canceled. Its my favorite cooking show. I loved the hosts and will miss this show terribly. I am not going to watch an extended Good MOrning America which is too bad as I enjoyed its morning show. I will miss Michael, Carla and Clinton.
I have loved The Chew and am really disappointed it has been cancelled. I have cooked many of their recipes which were delicious and easy to prepare. I have enjoyed many hours of entertainment watching and cooking while the show was on. The interaction between all the hosts was extremely enjoyable and I am sorry to see them go! They will be missed.
The Chew will be missed. It was a refreshing show; always learned something interesting everyday. . I will not be watching GMA. Putting on/or renewing programs which have the entertainment factor of zero..
Michael, Carla, Clinton, you will be missed.
Thanks for all your work over the past 7 years. Great job.
So sorry to see The Chew leaving tv. Have watched every episode since the beginning and it has always been entertaining, informational and kept me laughing every day. They are like family and I’ll truly miss Clinton, Carla and Michael.
I will miss the Chew I hope they will do another show together.
No, No, No. You don’t take away America’s most loved, upbeat shows to put MORE political arguing. I don’t believe the ratings were low; there’s some executive Disney BS reason. See how your advertisers like more politics. The third hour means cutting Kelly & Ryan in our market. Really?!?
Could not agree more!!!!
I’m going to miss the Chew! Great recipes and perfect time right before general hospital
Cancel the View and keep The Chew. Will NOT be watching GMA.
We will miss the Chew. It may have run its course, but when I go back and start watching it again, I really enjoy it, and I know I will miss it. No violence, lots of laughing, camaraderie between the hosts, lots of good food, and absolutely no politics. I hope their website sticks around for the recipes. It was very disappointing to learn about Mario Batali. He had to go.
Thanks for a great show.
I am sick to my stomach the Chew is cancelled. What about what the people want to see instead of 3 hours of doom and gloom news and junk from GMA! I am retired, on social security and look forward to this lighthearted informational entertaining show (the Chew) each day! I have watched it while recuperating from surgeries. To cancel this show is a TRUE CRIME! This is not what the people want!!!!! Get a clue!!! GMA Sucks Big Time-not interesting at all! Now 3 hours of their BS??? REALLY!!!
I loved The Chew, it was refreshing and fun. I learned a lot from this program, and very disappointed that it is being cancelled. I am so tired of all the political news we hear these days. I am shutting them out! I will miss The Chew.
I am so sad and disappointed that The Chew is cancelled. It Is my favorite daytime show to watch. It had everything good about it. Guests to cook with, receipies to share, humor and they had so much fun together. They brought you into their lives for an hour a day and enjoyed every minute. They became friends that you looked forward to visiting with. Wish there was a way to have it picked up by another station. Will miss you so much Michael, Clinton and Carla
I have been watching the show since it started and have used the method of cooking and the recipes the whole time. I’m disabled so my wife works and I do all the cooking. so I am going to truly miss The Chew as will my family every night at dinner. I have thought many times that ABC has no idea what they are doing when it comes to renewing their programing!!!!!!! I hope maybe The Food Channel will pick them up for a same time slot so ABC will lose their share.