CBS Cancels Long-Running Daytime Show “The Talk”

CBS has announced the cancellation of its popular daytime show “The Talk“, bringing an end to the series after 15 seasons. The show, which has been on the air since 2010, will conclude with a shortened final season from September to December 2024.

“The Talk” is a daytime talk show that debuted on October 18, 2010, as part of CBS’ daytime programming block. The show was developed by actress and host Sara Gilbert, who also served as one of the original co-hosts alongside Julie Chen Moonves, Sharon Osbourne, Leah Remini, and Holly Robinson Peete. Over the years, the show has featured a rotating panel of celebrity hosts, with the current lineup including Amanda Kloots, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, and moderator Natalie Morales.

The show’s format is similar to ABC’s “The View”, featuring discussions on current headlines, celebrity news, and human-interest stories. “The Talk” has aired before a live studio audience each weekday at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time and is broadcast on most CBS stations at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The show has a dedicated fan base and has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and NAACP Image Awards.

However, “The Talk” has also faced its share of controversies. In March 2021, Osbourne and Underwood engaged in a heated debate regarding Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The incident led to an internal review, and Osbourne was ultimately fired from the show after allegations of racism. The show also underwent a series of changes in recent years, including the addition of new hosts and the departure of long-time executive producer Brad Bessey.

The decision to cancel “The Talk” comes as CBS plans to develop a new daytime soap opera titled “The Gates,” which will focus on a wealthy Black family living in a gated community. “The Gates” marks the first new soap opera on broadcast networks in years and the first daytime drama centered on a Black family since the 1989 NBC soap “Generations.” With “The Gates” in early development, the future of “The Talk” has been uncertain.

In their joint statement, CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios President David Stapf acknowledged the impact of “The Talk,” stating, “The Talk broke new ground when it launched 14 years ago by returning daytime talk to CBS with a refreshing and award-winning format… Throughout the years, it has been a key program on CBS’ top-rated daytime lineup as it brought timely, important and entertaining topics and discussions into living rooms around the globe.”

They also expressed gratitude to the show’s hosts and crew, saying, “We truly appreciate the skill, creativity, and dedication everyone involved brought to the show every day… And of course, we thank the numerous guests who appeared, and the millions of viewers who tuned in daily.”

The final season of “The Talk” will air from September to December 2024, bringing an end to a show that has been a staple of CBS’ daytime lineup for well over a decade.