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.
How can a feel good show be canceled over watching more bad news on gmc? What’s the matter with our tv world honest feel good things like the chew are taken away for us I just don’t get it in a time when our world seems so violent to take away a happy show.
I can not believe it the one show that was enjoyable without shoving politics down your throat is actually being cancelled for what yet again. You are making a huge mistake in doing so does anybody out there consider the Fans obviously not. We need another hour of GMA which I have nothing against but seriously just waiting for the next scandal which has people doomed before truth. I don’t need to put anybody down because I don’t know the truth and I certainly will not get it from the Media, but I will wait and trust and have faith… Read more »
I’m disappointed in the network canceling the chew, this is my favorite program to watch while taking a break and having lunch. I love to cook and have enjoyed learning how to make different recipes and also the tips they give on making meals.
It’s a sad day when we need more “news” programs although GMA is my favorite morning news program.
Don’t cancel the chew!!!
I love watching the CHEW !!!!! Clinton,Carla and Michael are phenomenal entertainers!!!!! Maybe ABC WILL RECONCIDER!!!!!! Always look forward to each day my hour with these FANTASTIC PEOPLE!!!!
You’ve got the BEST OF THE BEST LEFT!!!! So why
Cancel? You say COST? Bull !!!!!!!
I will not watch Good Morning America!!!!!!!
ABC is losing 2 viewers. GMA in the afternoon is not an option. I will turn the TV off.
I think they should leave the chew on the are those three are the perfect Trio they are better off without the other two please please please renew them for another season they are the highlight of my day they make me get through my whole work day they are always uplifting a pleasure to watch do not cancel them
Very disappointed…Love the Chew..Glad Batalli, was off, Carla, Michael and Clinton carried the show with no problem. I enjoy the recipes, the humor, guests and entertainment in general….perfect in every way…
I love the Chew! It gives me more ideas to fix for supper. Maybe you could get some added hosts. I dislike GMA. If this replaces my Chew, it will be time to turn the TV off!!!!!
I am very sad to hear The Chew has been cancelled. I have loved the show from Day 1. I think the show is informative and funny. If I am not able to watch it, I make sure to DVR it. I think the hosts can get a bit silly sometimes, but what is wrong with that? I think they act like REAL people. Having worked in a food environment all my life, sometimes you need to laugh at yourself. I think the hosts take the show very seriously and are very passionate about doing their best everyday. We need… Read more »
Leave The Chew! Cancel GMA!
I am extremely saddened to hear that The Chew is being cancelled. My husband and I loved to sit down and watch it together and eat out lunch with them. Even with their ups and downs they remained a positive and fun show. With them gone and Harry Connick Jr. too, my days will not be the same. Guess I will start reading more and watching less TV!
The Chew being cancelled is so sad to me. That and Harry Connick being gone too really upsets me. WHY? We need more decent, non political TV programs…not more of GMA!
Seriously! My husband and I enjoyed sitting down and eating lunch with them every day.
There isn’t another show like The Chew . I stop everything at 1 pm to watch. I finally understood how to make gravy or white sauce. Love these amazing and funny cooks. I don’t watch much on ABC, even less now.
My daughter and I love the Chew. We watch it everyday. Great show. Learn a lot and it’s very entertaining. The cast is great. Soon we won’t be watching anything on ABC because they cancel all the good stuff. Their ratings can go right on down.