(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?
I will not watch ABC anymore – the Chew was creative and different. One thing not needed is another normal run-of-the-mill talk show with the same old formula. BORING! Let me now when you bring back THE CHEW which was the highlight of daytime TV.
no it should not have been canceled. People loved this show, it meant a lot to people. the content of this show was excellent. It was like no other on day time tv.
They advertise our prayersvhave been answered, they didn’t listen to my prayers. The ads for the gma show are ludicrous. Who thought it was a good idea to cancel The Chew
The Chew should not have been cancelled! If there was a need for one or two more hosts, why didn’t the producers find them as they do on The View?
Please bring back THE CHEW.
I don’t understand why The Chew was cancelled. Do they think that the viewers will just watch the replacement show? I, for one, will not. The Chew was the best show on daytime tv. I do not watch soap operas or the fluff news shows. The Chew was fun to watch and you learned something every day. abc has royally screwed up! It just shows what they think of The Chew viewers.
No they should not have cancelled the Chew. Variety people not another hour of the same… Good Morning America.. Copying Today show.. Come on, the Chew is a great show.
No. Should have kept a great show that was endearing, funny, educational and truly enjoyable. I would DVR the show and watch it after I came home from work. I WILL NOT WATCH THE GMA SHOW. BRING BACK OUR “CHEW”. JoAnn Levin
I watched AMC for over 20 yrs and was upset when it was taken off the air and replaced with “The Chew”, I gave the show a chance and fell in love with it and the hosts. Betalli had his downfall , at no fault to the others or the fans. ABC did the right thing by removing him and moving on until those issues could be resolved , which left my favorites of all time, Clinton, Carla and Michael. I will not bash GMA, but I really think you made a mistake cancelling this show. It was refreshing and… Read more »
The Chew was unique TV viewing. The 3 co-hosts were terrific. They provided an hour of joy each day. Shame on ABC.
The Chew was unique TV viewing. Loved the 3 co-hosts.
I love the Chew and it wasn’t just a cooking show. They had such good Karma together and were fun to watch. Please bring them back.
Jean Miller
Florida
Bring back the Chew
The Chew was a great show. Informative, light hearted. No politics, no hate, no name calling. Just a good show that taught many different recipes and household tips. Why is ABC against good nice shows.
The execs at ABC must be morons. This was a great show! I’ve never seen three hosts get along as well as these three. ALWAYS good for an hour of laughs! It reminded me of the Carol Burnett show, and how her co-stars got along so well together.