If social media were any indication, then it would be clear that ABC’s new daytime show “The Chew,” is a unanimous DUD. Tweets, blog comments and Facebook posts for the network’s epicurianistic replacement for the decades-running soap opera “All My Children” were nothing short of scathing. Most reviews of the show echoed these same sentiments after the first episode aired in late September. But, just like people, experiences can change.
I must admit, after trying to watch the show the first week, the television was officially off and I out the door after only being able to stomach a few minutes of the show’s omnipresent laughter and over-the-top banter. On a second try — Clinton Kelly, one of five co-hosts and resident home and entertaining style maven, did an audience giveaway of his two books, (Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else and Oh No She Didn’t: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them) which left me wondering if this would be a non-stop carousel of experts hawking their wares for TV Land.
Even so, I decided to give the show one last viewing, and surprisingly enough, I was sucked in quite quickly. Perhaps the almost ubiquitous slaughter of media reviews, or unflattering comments from All My Children die-hards (or both) encouraged the hosts and producers to quickly up their game. Or perhaps it just took a few days of live audiences to let the hosts’ personalities gel while becoming accustomed to the frenetic pace of live television. But the awkward and incessant giggle-squeals of “health enthusiast” Daphne Oz aside, I found recent episodes this week to be engaging, fun, and quite informative.
According to the Chew’s website at ABC.com, “The Chew celebrates and explores life through food, with a group of dynamic, engaging, fun, relatable co-hosts who serve up everything to do with food — from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more — all aimed at making life better, fuller and more fun.”
Veterans of the Food Network’s many television shows may not like The Chew’s vision, and long-suffering soap fans may need more time to mourn the departure of their beloved Erica Kane, but I believe those looking for fresh, easy, and affordable ways to entertain or make family meal time more fun, will enjoy the offerings of this new show.
Check out The Chew at www.ABC.com
Doni Luckutt is a lifestyle expert who believes by enhancing interpersonal connection, we can stop simply living, and become Simply Alive! If you have a suggestion on what brings you to life, connect with her on Twitter @SimplyAlive, via e-mail Doni@SimplyAliveWorld.com or on her blog: .
