(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?
No should not have been canceled, was a nice refreshing show. So many soap operas and news already. I don’t watch GMA any time.
Love the Chew! It is the only fun cooking show on in the afternoon. Loved having lunch with them everyday! Cracked up everyday! Love MICHAEL! Carla and Clinton are a hoot! The three of them made the best team! Never liked Mario, sorry. But am really going to miss my lunch buddies, the tips and recipes! Love you guys!
I looked forward to The Chew every day. Please bring it back!!!! We need more happiness in this world and The Chew made me Happy.
The Chew – an oasis of calm in a daytime sea of noise. Bring it back!
NO!!! it should not have been canceled. It was the only thing I turned on to watch in the middle of my day They were an awesome lift and I learned great meals and tips, I sure Will not be watching more news
Not going to watch. We have enough news as it is.
No one more hour of news on a schedule that’s already laden with news programs. Michael strahand is not good host material. I feel sorry for Sara Haines, won’t watch.
I want the chew back!!Dr. Oz too please. I need to stay healthy and my husband is a fussy eater. He likes the chew and wants me to make the food they offer!
The chew should not have been cancelled. Great people, grest format and great food. I eill not watch GMA!!!
They should have cancelled The View, not The Chew!
YES that is true
I agree
This was a HUGE mistake to cancel the chew. I love this show, I will not watch GMA, BRING BACK THE CHEW. This show taught people alot about cooking and how it is FUN and bring families together
The Chew was a program that spotlighted people who care for all the staff, each other and the live and home viewers. Beyond the relief of constant political issues this was informative and entertaining. The way they interacted was delightful!!! The hour always went by very quickly.
I look forward to watching The Chew along with my husband. We enjoy the humor and helpful practical tips on cooking they give. It’s relevant and genuine. I’m not interested in another talk show. Ryan and Kelly are entertaining and enough of this type of program. I will miss The Chew and both my husband and myself were sadden when they announced it was cancelled. I was wondering what the replacement would be and sure wish ABC will consider bringing The Chew back.
I wish it had not been cancelled. The three co-hosts obviously got along and it was fun to watch, unlike so much of what is on these days. I will miss them. Have never watched Good Morning America and don’t plan to watch now
No, the Chew should not have been cancelled. It was one of the few if only television shows on which the hosts were kind, thoughtful, and caring toward each other and their guests and audience members. It was possible to learn how to cook and why to do the recipe as they demonstrated. I especially loved how they took turns and helped each other in professional and humorous ways. Although I love Michael Strahan, the last way I want to spend my time is on another talk show promoting more books, movies, and other media. Please ABC, bring back this… Read more »