'The Chew' News: ABC Yet to Announce Mario Batali's Replacement Following Sexual Harassment Allegations
TV network ABC has yet to announce whether they plan to introduce a new host on "The Chew" following the removal of world-renowned chef Mario Batali.
Batali was one of the mainstay panelists in "The Chew" along with Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Michael Symon and Daphne Oz. However, ABC decided to fire him from the show after at least four women accused him of sexual harassment.
Shortly after the sexual harassment allegations against Batali surfaced, ABC had reportedly asked him to lay low from "The Chew" while the TV network investigated.
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Then, recently, ABC confirmed that they had arrived at a decision to fire Batali from the show.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, ABC said: "Upon completing its review into the allegations made against Mario Batali, ABC has terminated its relationship with him and he will no longer appear on The Chew."
In the same statement, ABC clarified that they have yet to receive any sexual harassment complaint against Batali from anyone he encountered during his time as a "The Chew" host since the show's beginning in 2011.
"While we remain unaware of any type of inappropriate behavior involving him and anyone affiliated with our show, ABC takes matters like this very seriously as we are committed to a safe work environment and his past behavior violates our standards of conduct," ABC said.
It has been a week since ABC announced Batali's removal from the show but the network is yet to confirm whether they will introduce a new host to replace him.
Earlier this month, Batali wrote an apology letter to address the accusations where he said: "I have made many mistakes and I am so very sorry that I have disappointed my friends, my family, my fans and my team. My behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility."
However, Batali's letter immediately backfired as he decided to include a cinnamon roll recipe for people "searching for a holiday-inspired breakfast" as a postscript to his apology. This drew criticism from a number of people.
"The Chew" airs weekdays at 1 p.m. EST on ABC.
