(ABC / Lorenzo Bevilaqua)
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?
A great show. Enjoyable learned a lot. Took you away from the crazy world we live in. Bring it back!!! Please
I am very disappointed that The Chew was cancelled. Bye ABC. You were my favorite station, now I don’t plan to watch anything there.
Bring the Chew back! Will find another network to watch at that time if not! Everything is not always about the money!
The Chew was the ONLY daytime program I watched. It was even better with just Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Michael Symon. I learned and laughed with each episode. For one hour every day I escaped any problems. They were such a joy to watch. The chemistry between them was like nothing I had seen before. Totally crazy to cancel it. Still can’t believe it.
I don’t know if anyone in NY cares about the rest of the country, but WE care. Bring back The Chew!! How could you take it off? What idiot did this?!
I feel like ABC is insulting our intelligence with another hour of a stupid show. Bring the Chew back. It was educational, funny, and very entertaining. The talent of that show, not only with the hosts but everyone that made that made the show what it is/was you just won’t find anywhere else. Television doesn’t need another stupid show, in fact a lot of the shows could be replaced! I just do not see the justification of taking this show off of the air. I definitely will not be watching anything this show is replaced with. My time is way… Read more »
Bring back The Chew! I love that show! We don’t need three hours of GMA!!!
Loved the chew. For once there was a show that wasn’t political or news…just plain fun. I’m so disappointed it was cancelled.
The Chew… that best show ever. Why did you take it off!
The Chew made my day. I will not watch GMA at this time. Nothing like the Chew!
No, the chew should not have been canceled!! I loved the chew. Loved the host.They Made me laugh every day. They had amazing chemistry together. Loved every moment of that show. I looked forward to watching it. With there being so much negative and depressing things going on in the world, we need shows that make people feel happy.I loved learning new recipes. And I loved hearing there stories. I really miss this show….
The chew is a really good show. Bring it back.
We loved the show – our whole family from my 8 year old granddaughter to us “oldies” at 71. We will miss it & are still hoping someone will pick them up.
The Chew was a great show. Bring it back.
I will not be watching a 3rd hour of GMA nor The View. Cancelling THE CHEW was a huge mistake. Maybe after the firing of Mario (good move), you might have added guest hosts to make a 4th again for the entire hour. I loved this show and cried at the final episode. There are very few shows left that have a live audience. I HATE canned laughter and applause. So cheezie and fake. This show had tips, laughter, good recipes that home cooks could identify with. The hosts were genuine and you felt like they were friends. It will… Read more »
Bring back the Chew and CANCEL THE VIEW! Hate those big mouths except for Meagan McCain! Only sane one on the panel. And, another hour of GMA. Overkill, Sara Haines is a no talent and Michael Strahan does NOT need more exposure. Shame on ABC!
Please bring the Chew back please I loved watching it my whole family loved watching it