Rachael Ray announces the END of her daytime talk show after 17 seasons

Rachael Ray has announced that her daytime talk show will end this year, ending its stellar 17-season run.

The celebrity chef, 54, who has visited war-torn Ukraine several times, issued a statement to Deadline on Friday and declared that it was moving on to its “next exciting chapter.”

“In my 20+ years in television, I’ve had 17 wonderful seasons working on daytime television with Rachael,” Ray’s statement began.

“However, I have made the decision that it is time to move on to the next exciting chapter of my television career.”

The Rachael Ray Show isn’t the first syndicated stalwart to come to an end recently, as it joins a long list of closed shows like Dr. Phil, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Wendy Williams Show, Maury, Dr. Oz and The Real.

The end of Ray’s show comes on the heels of her launching a new production company called Free Food Studios in partnership with Intentional Content, according to Deadline.

The beloved fan’s statement went on to say: “My passions have evolved from the talk show format, production and syndication model to a platform free from the traditional rules of distribution…

“That is why I look forward to putting all my energies into my recently announced production arm, Free Food Studios.

‘Thank you to all of our Rachael’s Day Program partners, team and affiliates, and the wonderful years we all worked together.’

Debuting in 2006, The Rachael Ray Show became the top syndicated show launched that year and racked up 37 Daytime Emmy nominations over its next 17 seasons, winning three for Outstanding Talk Show.

Rachael’s core format highlights her identifiable culinary skills in addition to her fun and easy-going interviewing style.

Celebrity guests are an important element, as the 30-Minute Meals star has interviewed the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, the Kardashians, and even former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The show also features musical performances and makeover segments, with Ray’s tagline: “We’ll see you when we see you.”

Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures, said in a statement: “When Rachael debuted her show 17 years ago, she was a game changer in the daytime space.

“He made cooking accessible to the masses, taught viewers simple solutions on how to improve their lives, and got great stories from celebrity guests with his down-to-earth demeanor.

“We are proud to have produced such a successful show with Rachael and her team for so many years. We will miss Rachael on the air every day, but we will always be family.

The Rachael Ray Show was one of the first daytime shows to resume filming amid the Covid pandemic, returning for its 16th season in October 2021.

2020 was a difficult year for Ray and her husband of 18 years John Cusimano, 55, as tThe couple lost their upstate New York home to an accidental fire in August 2020.

They also suffered through their Manhattan apartment flooded in September of that year, plus her pit bull Isaboo passed away that summer in June.

When asked about Extra For which she was grateful, Ray replied, ‘To be alive. When I lost my dog ​​I was so grateful to be able to be with her the last few months of her life.’

‘She died in my arms… I felt guilty and grateful at the same time…’ Ray explained.

Ray’s career in the kitchen began as a child at the family restaurant, where she made her ‘first memory’ at age three.

speaking to tasting table last year, he said: ‘I started working in kitchens when I was eight or nine years old.

“I got my work papers when I was 14. My first memory actually was when I was three years old grilling my thumb on the flat top of our restaurant on Cape Cod.”

The Food Network star went on to share what she’s most proud of, saying, “If I look back on my life, I’m proud of two things.”

‘I created a foundation to support philanthropy to give back to the world because I don’t have human children. I have dogs, but I wanted to give back to the humans first.

Rachael reflected on her philosophy of living, achieving success, and giving back to the world.

“I love my life,” Ray declared. I earned my living. We have to be thoughtful about our lives. When you build a life for yourself, you don’t just have to find a niche for yourself or your business or money, you need to find a way to give back.

“I believe that the universe only keeps you in balance as long as you are balanced and decide to give as much as you receive. I really believe this.