On September 18, 2006, The Rachael Ray Show debuted in syndication and immediately caught the attention of households across the world, with more than 2.5 million daily viewers during its first season. 16 years later, on September 12, 2022, she kicked off an exciting Season 17 with a two-day premiere.
Last week, Rachael Ray made an announcement many fans were hoping would never come – confirming that Season 17 will be her final season as she looks forward to the ‘next exciting chapter’ of her career in front of the camera. The show usually runs through July-August, so there are just a few months left.
Her decision comes around the same time many other popular talk shows are either in the midst of ending or have already ended – including Dr. Phil, Judge Mathis, Maury, Dr. Oz, The People’s Court, The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. Daytime TV is going to look a lot different!
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“In my more than 20 plus years in television, I have had 17 wonderful seasons working on daytime television with Rachael. However, I’ve made the decision that it’s time for me to move on to the next exciting chapter in my broadcast career,” she wrote in a statement originally published by Deadline.
Those that have gathered in front of the television for her show nearly every morning for the past 16.5 years will agree that The Rachael Ray Show has it all – incredibly delicious food, easy recipes, popular guests (celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, etc.), musical performances, interviews, and so much more.
In her statement, she expressed her excitement for the future and confirmed she’ll be ‘putting all my energies’ into Free Food Studios – a production company she announced just a few days ago. She thanked all of her partners, crew, affiliates, and, most importantly, her fans for their continued support.
“My passions have evolved from the talk show format production and syndication model to a platform unencumbered by the traditional rules of distribution,” she went on to explain in her statement. “I am truly excited to be able to introduce and develop new and upcoming epicurean talent on all platforms.”
CBS President Shares Kind Words for Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray has come a long way from that popular debut in September 2006. The show is distributed and produced by CBS Media Ventures – in association with others – and was once filmed at the Chelsea Television Studios in New York City. She filmed at her house for a few years before returning to the studio.
“She made cooking accessible to the masses, taught viewers simple solutions on how to improve their lives, and coaxed great stories out of celebrity guests with her relatable, down-to-earth demeanor,” said Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures – calling her a ‘game-changer in the daytime space.’
Ray continues to be an inspiration to many, and while this will be her final season with the show, she’s sure to make it her best one yet – so tune in for an exciting yet heartbreaking next few months of The Rachael Ray Show. The 104th episode of Season 17 aired on Monday, and it returns on Wednesday.
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“We’re proud to have produced such a successful show with Rachael and her team for so many years. We’ll miss Rachael on the air every day, but we’ll always be family,” LoCascio continued. It might be the end of an era, but you know what they say – when one door closes, another one opens!