Daytime TV, as we knew it, has shifted to the back in its position as a driving force for culture and conversation. In the last 5 years, we have seen several daytime talk shows leave our screens. Staples in the US like the Wendy Williams Show, The Real, and the celebrity-circuit favourite The Ellen Show wrapped at the start of the decade. Lunchtime favorites like Loose Women in the UK are recently facing runtime cuts, marking a major shift in the daytime entertainment space.
Kelly Clarkson’s announcement that she will end her show after seven seasons was sad news to many loyal fans who loved watching the Grammy-winning singer chat it up with guests every day. Clarkson took to Instagram to share the devastating news, saying in the statement that it was “not an easy decision” and that “stepping from the daily schedule” will allow her to prioritize her family. Recently, Kelly lost her ex-husband and the father of her two children, Brandon Blackstock, with fans understanding her decision to step away.
Shortly after the news of Kelly’s show coming to an end, we also found out that Sherri Shepherd’s new talk show, “Sherri,” was also ending. Both shows ‘endings brought forward conversations about whether the daytime talk show format still resonated with viewers. Despite Clarkson’s natural departure, many shows, including Shepherds, were pulled due to low ratings and a shift in broadcast direction. The production company behind the Sherri show said that an “evolving daytime television landscape” led to the decision to axe the program.
Talk shows were once commended for their ability to capture a range of viewers and keep many of us entertained. Most offer an inside scoop into a trending topic, a quick kitchen trick or two in their cooking segments, and have exclusive performances by new artists debuting a track live on air, all under an hour. Their target audience of women over 25 was put at the forefront, but like many media formats, it has met the fate of social media.
Audiences today no longer need to turn on prime time to hear a new song or know which celeb is dating whom. This reality has really settled in, as we are now in a post-COVID era where most viewers are strictly digital, with many even admitting they never watch live television. Statistics are similar in the UK, with just 48% of young people saying they watched live TV back in 2023.
The Sherri Shepherd show debuted in 2022, replacing the usual time slot for The Wendy Williams Show, which ended in 2022 following Wendy Williams’ prolonged struggles. Following the news of Sherri’s cancellation, many fans took to social media to express their thoughts on the state of daytime television. Wendy Williams, a fan favourite and one of the genre’s greatest hosts, was known for her outspoken energy. Her absence has left a noticeable void, with many noting a shift toward political correctness that some feel has reduced the authenticity and boldness. It’s important to note that some have praised Sherri for bringing a more positive and uplifting vibe to daytime TV and will miss her show.
The departure of many shows from our screens suggests an inevitable shift due to changing viewer habits, which means we may see more on the way out.
This was written by our contributing writer, Julia Cawele.
Image Source: Freepik
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