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.
#RenewTheChew
Its fine with me. It only became because ABC made the stupid move of cancelling All My Children + One Life to Live! They were both great soaps that everyone was still watching! Oh Well another decision gone wrong…. Bring back the Soaps! LOL!
I am so disappointed that The Chew has been cancelled in favor of a 3rd hour of Good Morning America….do we really need another hour of news driven talk shows? I love the commaraderie with Michael, Carla and Clinton..actually have me laughing at loud at their antics. Hope The Chew gets picked up by another network…maybe the Cooking Channel or Food Network?
I think the show should be renewed.
I hate it has been canceled. I love watching Carla, Michael and Clinton. They are so much fun. Good guests and recipes. Please don’t cancel
I think it is a shame, I watched religiously everyone new not to bother me for that hour!!! I am so sad!!!!!
I think The Chew brought daytime viewers over from the Food Network and Cooking Channel. The Rachel Ray show isn’t about cooking anymore I used to watch that regularly but I stopped. She cooks for maybe 10 minutes per show. I hope another network picks this show up, who the hell wants to see another hour of Good MORNING America in the AFTERNOON? Big mistake ABC….but, you gotta learn the hard way sometimes!
What a mistake. They are great and have taught do many great tips in cooking. They are personal and relate to their audience. Shame on ABC. Don’t need or want more GMA.
I am so disappointed that the Chew is being cancelled! I watch it every day, and I love Michael, Carla, and Clinton! Why do we need more GMA? Let’s have fun and variety and keep the Chew! It’s not too late to change your mind! #imonteamthechew
This is ridiculous!! Adding another hour to GMA. Why? Two isn’t enough. They need to repeat the news over and over again. The Chew is the best daytime talk show on ABC. I definitely will NOT be watching GMA!! I will miss The Chew and I hope another channel picks you guys up. You’re the best food show I have ever watched. You make me want to cook!! Thank you Clinton, Carla and Michael for all the laughs and outstanding recipies. You guys rock!!
“The Chew” has brought more FUN, Entertainment and Joy more than any other cooking show in TV. Micheal, Carla & Clinton are Foody Stars; they don’t deserve to be taken off the Air. They will be Missed!
Cancel the show because of GMA? How many hours of that show do we need? You will all be missed so much. It is always a happy show. We have enough of the 2 and 3 hour talk shows that do nothing but rehash news. THANK YOU for all the great recipes, and laughs you have given us!!
Hope one of the networks will realize what a great show The Chew is and pick you up. (We can hope) Thanks for the memories.
UNBELIEVABLE! What is ABC thinking???
The Chew is THE best show on daytime TV! It’s informative and extremely entertaining. The 3 remaining hosts are genuine, kind, funny, and endearing. I hope another network will consider picking up the show. Obviously I’m not happy about the cancellation and I think another hour of GMA is ridiculous.
Best of luck to Michael, Clinton, and Carla!!!
Sad times. Best show on daytime tv. I will NOT watch good morning America. We have too many of those shows.
I’m very sad The Chew is being cancelled. After Mario left, the show got even better. Michael, Clinton and Carla genuinely like each other and make the show fun to watch. Unless they are on GMA expansion show, I will not be watching!
Please, please DON’T cancel the chew i love love love this show, with just the current co host is great. I will not look at the 3rd hour of GMA!