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.
My husband and I are retired and “The Chew” was the one program we watched together everyday..we laughed with the hosts and tried some of their yummy dishes they made on the show…..why must you take this away. This is the one thing my husband and I share everyday after 49 years of marriage……it was fun we ate our lunch and watched this program together.
I will not watch abc anymore!!! Why take the best show off I am speaking about the CHEW. Shame on the people that did this. I refuse to watch GMA OR ANYTHING ELSE ON ABC.
I love the Chew and will not watch GMA–the Chew should not be cancelled. It is such a happy program–it makes my day—I really enjoy Clinton, Kelly and Michael. They are so funny and give a lot of wonderful tips and recipes–I will make it a point not to buy products advertised on GMA—please keep the Chew
I am so tired of hearing or watching the News. All these good shows being cancelled just so we can have more depressing news shoved at us. Soon the only thing that will be on television will be the News or Reality shows and of course the Kardashians. How depressing that we can’t have shows with happiness or comedy to brighten our days or evenings. There’s enough fake news and sadness in the world. Why can’t we laugh and enjoy what WE like for a change? Good Morning America…..you have the mornings for your news. Leave the afternoon to more… Read more »
I was shocked to find out that the show has been cancelled. Like so many others, I found this to be one of my very favorite tv shows. I would watch it everyday before going in to work. Now, what? Also, like others, I found it was a much better grouping with just Clinton, Carla & Michael. They are extremely likable and fun to watch along with the benefit of learning many cooking essentials from each of them. I am so very disappointed and hope and pray they bring it back. I will not be watching its replacement.
I’m going to miss the show . I think expanding GMA is overkill and ABC is loosing three great chefs with talent and chemistry. The celebrity guests were icing. Frankly, I thought it was better without Daphne and Mario. You know the old saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. RACHEL , I GUESS YOUVE GOT THE MONOPOLY. GLAD I TAPED SHOWS OF THE CHEW.
This is one of the funniest shows on, they all make you laugh while learning. Is it because of Mario not being there? These guys are just so funny. They never stop. We need this show, even though we have no say. You will do it anyway. I bet if Mario and Daffeny were still on it would not be canceled. It was not that funny when they were there. Its the only show I did not get a chance to be in the audience.
No, please don’t cancel The Chew❗ I love this show, it’s fun, funny, informative, playful, great recipes shared, and it’s not another news show or bachelor style show. Michael, Carla and Clinton are the perfect hosts, they complement one another.
Please reconsider renewing the show, please.
So sad to see “the Chew cancelled”; I like the show; it’s fun and a breath of fresh air.
Extending GMA? Oh please, give me a break!!! Yep, dropping ABC. You’ve cancelled my favorite shows. Why would I watch you anymore? You’ll just add more idiotic “reality” shows. Who ever is making these stupid decisions must be on drugs!!!!!
I love the Chew it is my number 1 daytime show.
The show was vastly improved when they dumped Mario. He was always the “slob” of the show. And apparently in real life. Daphne was ok, but not really an asset. I’ve really enjoyed the show this season. Too bad.
I think that Clinton, Michael, and Carla are awesome together. My husband had a stroke a couple of years ago and we started watching a bit of daytime tv. I cant say I was very fond of Oz. Batali was ok but I didn’t miss him when he left. I watch half a dozen cooking shows, mostly on PBS, but this show really caught me by surprise. I frequently see an interesting recipe and actually try it out. Its led me to try gluten free pasta made with quinoa, and other dishes where I had the ingredients in my pantry… Read more »
I Have just read all the comments from those who love the Chew—Disney should consider this program the adult version of ‘The happiest place in the world!’ Never a cross, crass or hurtful word on any show that I have seen–I deeply regret deleting past recordings of this wonderful show….I feel certain some nit not in the corporate nest would not hesitate to sell DVD’s of this programing to make some $. Leave the Chew alone, treasure the intelligent thoughtful and educated professionals from beginning to end of our show…Keep them doing what they do so well, listen to the… Read more »
dump gma and keep the chew!!
I think it’s BS that they’re cancelling the chew. It’s one of the best daytime shows on ABC. I’ve learned so much from watching.Chilton, Hall & Symon are great down to earth people, the show shouldn’t suffer from Mario Batali’s very bad decisions. He’s not on the show anymore! I loved the show!