Today, ABC airs the final episode of their daytime series, The Chew. Last month, the network announced that the cooking-themed talk show had been cancelled after more than 1,400 episodes. Will you miss it? Was this the right decision?
Launching in September 2011, The Chew replaced the All My Children soap opera after its 41 years on the network. A talk show that incorporates cooking and lifestyle-related segments, the series was initially hosted by Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, and Michael Symon. Oz departed the show after six seasons and Batali left following sexual misconduct allegations in December 2017.
ABC decided to cancel The Chew in order to expand their Good Morning America series to three hours. NBC’s Today show has had a third hour (with various titles) since October 2000. The current incarnation is Megyn Kelly Today.
While the third hour of Today typically followed the regular program’s two-hour broadcast, hour three of Good Morning America will air separately, in the afternoon. The new hour of GMA is expected to be taped and not presented live, as the regular program is. ABC is making this move as Today has been taking the lead in various demographics in the morning ratings race.
If ABC had wanted to expand GMA to three hours, couldn’t they have replaced either The View or Live with Kelley and Ryan? That was unlikely to happen since both perform better in the ratings than The Chew. In particular, The View has been growing its audience and has been seeing its best ratings since the 2014-15 season (a rarity in today’s landscape). Meanwhile, The Chew has been in last place, ranking 13th out of 13 daytime series.
While ABC may have high hopes for a third hour of GMA, they no doubt have an uphill battle ahead. Daytime audiences often don’t like change and some viewers still hold a grudge against The Chew for replacing All My Children. Time will tell if the new hour of GMA will fare any better than The Chew did.
What do you think? Do you think that ABC should have cancelled The Chew TV series? If not, what could they have done to boost the ratings? Will you check out a third hour of Good Morning America?
Enjoyed very much The Chew; it was a fun show adding delicious recipes; cannot understand why they were cancelled.
The Chew has a special place in my heart for many reasons; learning something new every day, being encouraged & inspired by hosts who are an incredible example of sharing & caring and being given a reprieve from the dissension & negativity that permeates most of the other programming today. To have an hour where useful learning is taking place in a joyful atmosphere will be greatly missed. I’m hoping another network will recognize the value in the Chew and give it a new beginning!
I would watch The Chew on my lunch break at work. It was always upbeat, positive and would leave a good taste in your mouth (pun intended) I’m sure they have personal opinions about what is going on in this world, but they kept it off the show thus bringing out the best in people. Isn’t that what life should be about?
Well I for one will not watch ABC ant longer as I also Quit watchin g /NBC. You take the best shows off and more news. there is too many hours of news show on now.
Loved The Chew. I’m so sad it was cancelled. One of the few daytime shows that entertained and a joy to watch…..no politics or ugliness. Three hours of GMA? That’s way too much….
I LOVE the CHEW! It is the best daytime show on TV…..informative…funny…entertaining and the cohosts are perfectly suited to each other and the friendship between them pulls the viewers in…like they are in your livingroom….recipes are great and presented in an easy to understand way….SO disappointed that it’s not being renewed….most shows on tv are garbage and this is the only show on this network that I watch…..guess I will not be watching anything on abc anymore…too many news shows on tv…sure don’t need more!
I am so disappointed! I love this show! You all got me through severe pain & healing from lengthy back surgeries! Yes more than one! Loved every minute of watching you all. I have tried recipes & you make me laugh. I even hooked a few friends on The Chew. Even my cleaning lady! Can’t another channel pick you up???? Please?
I’m beyond disappointed. I recorded it everyday. It was bright spot in my day. The hosts were fun, the recipes were great. The show had so much to offer! Please bring it back
No, it absolutely should not be cancelled. It is a refreshing change to soap operas and news, such as Good Morning America, etc. I have learned from the show and it is aways fun to watch. Great show that deserves to be on TV — I hope Food Network, etc will pick-up the show! PLEASE!
I love the chew, especially during Halloween and Christmas. They always have good tips on making dishes. Big mistake ABC
I enjoy watching The Chew. Great recipes and ideas. An hour to just forget all the other bologna on TV.
I enjoy watching The Chew! Lots of fun and great recipes and ideas.
I do not watch Good Morning America, but tune in faithfully to The Chew. Big mistake taking off something that will help non cooks get back to basics to save money… hope you bring it back.
Big mistake taking The Chew off the air, please bring it back!!!
I do not watch Good Morning America, what makes them think I’d want to watch another hour of it? However, I did tune in everyday to The Chew! Stupid move ABC!