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(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?
It’s such a sad day for me to her about this cancellation! They made us laugh, we truly live this show! We don’t need more news, we need more genuine people we can watch and make our moment happy!
Regret that The Chew has been cancelled. I don’t always have the time to watch the show but I so enjoyed the various recipes that they made which didn’t require chef skills to prepare. The three “amigos” as I chose to call them, were kind and courteous and did their level best to bring levity, nice recipes and easy crafting to the show. They demonstrated inclusivity to all. If the network is worried about ratings, they aren’t going to like what a 3rd hour of GMA will bring since that will be a taped third hour Live, maybe they would… Read more »
ABC should not have cancelled The Chew. It has been one of my favorite shows on broadcast TV. I was very disappointed to hear that it was ending. I will NOT be watching GMA. I don’t watch it now–why would I watch an extra hour of it?
Absolutely not!! Enough of GMA and quite frankly the View should have gone first! Loved the Chew and loved the chemistry and laughs! ABC you are on my you know what list
No the show should not have been cancelled. PLEASE not another hour of GMA, take off the view instead. Now the only daytime show for me to watch is Judge Judy which I really like.
No ABC should not have cancelled The Chew, I don’t cook but I enjoyed going to the break room at Lunch time and watching, won’t be watching GMA
I will miss the Chew. I learned many techniques I found valuable. I also watch GMA, but would not watch another hour.
The Chew was truly unique and will be missed. Bad move ABC.
I loved the Chew and will definitely miss the show. I learned many techniques that I found valuable. I also watch GMA, but would not watch another hour.
My husband and I watch some news shows together ..in all the time of watching tv shows. We have never enjoyed an afternoon show so much together..I cannot believe that abc would leave on morning shows that have so much controversy while this program is really Family oriented..we actually got to know the hosts as kind and knowledgeable people who helped us during holiday dinners to show us we could do it..they made us laugh because they showed us a side of themselves that made us feel like we were with friends. This show will be missed very much and… Read more »
More GMA?? Good Grief!! Adored the cast/interaction of The Chew. Will not be watching any replacements. The Chew filled a special place in my day that cannot be replaced. My support of ABC is now severely diminished.
I tape and/or watch the chew everyday and never have or will not watch GMA. I’m sure there are other shows that could have been cancelled or moved. Personally, not impressed with anything else on ABC and don’t find myself looking to that network for something to watch except the chew. Hopefully, another network will pick them up and I will watch everyday.
The Chew was entertaining, informative, nonjudgemental and lighthearted. In other words, a nice break from midday news and talk shows and soap operas. Always looked forward to watching on days work schedule allowed. Guess I’ll be watching Public TV even more.
I will miss this show soooo much! The people are REAL and their banter is so natural unlike the other morning talk shows. The chemistry is genuine and fun to watch. There is a great mix of information along with realistic recipes attainable by ordinary home cooks. I never watched daytime TV until I found “The Chew” and will NOT watch any other daytime programs on ABC. It was a pleasure to watch something different and entertaining and I feel you made a BIG mistake.
I wish there was a way to keep the show it is a real delight to watch it SAVE THE CHEW!!!!!!!!!
I am very disappointed ABC canceled The Chew. This show is part of my afternoon before General Hospital. I will not be watching GMA as I watch The Today show. Please do not cancel.