Yesterday ABC announced that it is canceling the long-running soap operas One Life to Live and All My Children to make room for a food-focused daytime talk show called The Chew. Hosted by a revolving cast of food personalities, including Mario Batali, Top Chef's Carla Hall and chef Michael Symon, The Chew sounds like a food-centric version of The View.
Food shows replacing soap operas — is this the beginning of a new, foodie era on daytime TV?
Promising to "explore food from EVERY angle," The Chew will cover food news and trends, and discuss food as it relates to health, travel, fitness, and family ritual. The hour-long live show will be guided by the day's hosts, which will also include What Not to Wear host Clinton Kelly and nutrition author Daphne Oz.
The president of daytime TV at ABC explained that the decision to shift the focus of their daytime lineup was motivated by the viewers. "They are telling us there is room for informative, authentic and fun shows that are relatable, offer a wide variety of opinions and focus on 'real life' takeaways," he said.
The Chew will premiere in September 2011.
• Read more: ABC's The Chew, a New Daytime Talk Show - Eater
What do you think of this announcement? Are you as surprised as we are to see a food-focused show replacing a long-running soap opera? Is this a show you'll watch?
Related: Martha Bakes: Martha Stewart's New TV Show
(Image: Mario Batali)
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Floral Drink Dispen...
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Carla Hall back on TV?! And Clinton Kelly beside her?! My prayers have been answered.
I feel like this could either go really well, or really badly...guess I'll have to wait and see!
I love Carla Hall so I will definitely tune in and give the show a try. And what's wrong with butter?
it sounds like the view but all about food. I think it'll be overhyped and likely really boring..sorry :\
Love Carla, but then I had so many favorites from Top Chef All stars that I would watch anything they were in.....I think Carla will do a great job.....
How long before Gwenyth Paltrow shows up?
At a time when we're being harped at that we Americans are too fat - ABC cancels shows that have loyal viewers (I have family members who've watched those shows forever) and replaces it with a show where none of the key participants regularly produces food that's either health conscious OR portion controlled? - I find that utterly mystifying.
Ohhhhhh this is exciting.
I am WAY excited about this! What great news!!
@ Rucy
Great comment, I completely agree with you!
Rucy, Agreed. It is said... these shows have been on forever. But I guess the network sees it as cheaper to pay for more reality television and talk shows. :(
Would rather watch this show than any soap opera.
I love watching shows about food & cooking, however we have the food network, cooking channel and pbs. But in this case I would have preferred OLTL & AMC stay on the air! I've watched them since I was a little girl! As trite and unsophisticated as it sounds they consoled me during difficult times. I turned to them when I was laid-off, when family members died and when I just needed to relax after work. They are my secret guilty pleasure. They provided an escape and comfort -- like going to my Nonna's and having her prepare a meal for me from scratch. Another reminder that I am not a kid anymore... and all good things do end. It really makes me sad.
Well, Rucy, Way To Go! That is just one more thing we need is more food and reasons to eat! This is not my kind of tv, when I want to watch cooking, I go to the food network. I am a dedicated fan of AMC and will not watch this show or support ABC if they take it off the air for this.
What a yucky name for a show.
I do adore Carla Hall though. :)
@ Rucy and everyone else that obviously DID NOT read the article!
Y'all obviously did not read "The Chew will cover food news and trends, and discuss food as it relates to health, travel, fitness, and family ritual."!
I am thankful that they have cancelled these soap operas...THEY contribute to America being FAT!
Thank you ABC for putting this on the air!
Another talk show....you have got to be kidding! I have also watched the "ABC Soaps" for years....I will never watch this or any other ABC show again! I am joining the "ban ABC" club!!!!!!!
Dumb move, you just lost a lot of faithful viewers ABC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this show-love all the hosts-I am prv ing every episode. No one I know watches soaps anymore. Move on people. Daphene Oz is refreshing on her approach to clean eating foods. thankyou
i love the chew i think that its a great show that gives good facts and shows america how to cook good hardy foods, something that not many people do anymore, the nation wasnt fat when it was home cooking . and the right portions not fast foods high in salt , this is something i love to watch and want to try all the food that they make more home cooking here i come.