Is 'Rachael Ray' Close to Cancellation?

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Posted: 2008-03-13 08:56:17

Filed Under: TV News

(March 13) -- Is Rachael Ray's media free-for-all slowing down to the point where her daytime show might get canceled?

An "impeccable" source at Page Six says that the boisterous cook-host may have her daily 'Rachael Ray' show yanked at the end of her contract. "They are seriously talking about taking her off the air," the source said. Get the Full Story at Page Six

The Rachael Empire

Whether she deserves it or not, Rachael Ray is catching a good deal of flak for a scarf she wore for a Dunkin Donuts commercial, which conservative blogger Michelle Malkin says is way too similar to the Arab keffiyah, which Yasser Arafat and some terrorists have worn. Malkin fails to note that many non-terrorist Arab men also wear them.

Boston.com

Dunkin Donuts, whom Ray is a spokeswoman for, has yanked all airings of the ad. This isn't the first -- or likely the last -- bump in Ray's career. Recent rumors reported that her daytime talk-cook show could be in jeopardy of being yanked off the air.

Getty Images,Getty Images

Ray's spokesperson stood firm on the show, saying there's nothing to the talk of cancellation due to sagging ratings. "Our show is renewed through 2010, so canceling is not an option," the rep told Page Six. Here, Ray spends time with husband John Cusimano at a charity event last year.

Getty Images,Getty Images

Ray's show debuted two years ago to a meager 2.5 rating. The source tells Page Six that the cost of producing the show is so great that canceling it has become an option.

Ronna Gradus, Miami Herald / MCT

Ray's network show was just the next step in her media empire. Since publishing her first book in 1999, Ray has sold millions of copies of her best-selling cookbooks, which include '$40 a Day: Best Eats in Town' and 'Comfort Foods.' She also had several successful shows on Food Network.

Jim McKnight, AP

Debuting in 2001, '30 Minute Meals' was Ray's first show on the Food Network. 'Meals,' which began as a segment on NBC's 'Today' show, aims to teach people how to cook quality meals, quickly.

Random House, HO / AP

Even with its rating struggles, 'The Rachael Ray Show,' which combines a cooking and talk format, had been nominated for several Daytime Emmys after launching.

Jeffrey R. Staab, CBS

The magazine 'Every Day With Rachael Ray' launched in October of 2005 as a bi-monthly. Sales have been good enough to warrant a recent switch to monthly publication.

Nancy Kaszerman, ZUMA Press

Ray, 39, has said that the secret to her relentless perkiness is the 10 cups of coffee she drinks daily.

Carlo Buscemi, WireImage.com

Ray was honored by Madame Tussauds Wax Museum on Feb. 21, 2007, with the unveiling of her likeness at the popular tourist attraction.

Jemal Countess, WireImage.com

The source says the trouble behind the scenes is Ray's Ratings, which have dropped from a 2.5 rating at her debut to a 2.0 now. "Anything below a 2.0 is asking for trouble," the Page Six source said.

Another contributor could be Ray's costly set and activities. According to the source, Ray's set "is very expensive and elaborate," -- ovens, cooktops, props -- whereas 'Dr. Phil' just has chairs on his set.

Ray's rep, however, is standing firm. "Our show is renewed through 2010 — so canceling is not an option," the rep told Page Six.

Page Six reports that if Ray is indeed canceled, Marie Osmond is in talks to take over her timeslot.

Ray's Food Network shows like '30 Minute Meals' on which she built her empire will not be affected by anything that happens to her daytime show. Her magazine, 'Every Day With Rachael Ray,' will also be unscathed by any daytime show developments.

2008-03-13 07:41:44

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1379 comments

kwbula 10:16:13 PM Sep 05 2008

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For so many people that seem to be Anti-Rachael Ray, there sure are alot of you whom bothered to visit this site!!! Give her a break! I like her. I enjoy watching her shows, all of them, the RR talk show, but also her shows on Food Network. I love to cook, it is my passion, and hobby, as well as gardening. I watch many shows on Food Network. I learn great ideas, techniques, short cuts, tips and recipes. My new Favorite Food Network show is "Down Home with the Neeley's"! They are great, sweet, funny and have good ideas and recipes too. Also, they are from Memphis, TN (my place of birth, and near my home town), they own several resturants here, BBQ of coarse!But seriously, if you hate RR so much, don't watch her, don't log on to sites that have blogs about her, and just shut up and keep your nasty opinions on other negative sites! These places are for us fans! Now, put that in your saute pan and cook it!

waterlooer 02:56:25 PM Jul 18 2008

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Hey superexecmom, chill out and get a grip sweetie pie. Everyone has a right to express an opinion, not just you.........Jeeez

superexecmom 12:36:18 PM Jun 14 2008

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ALL YOU PEOPLE ON HERE SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LIKE RACHAEL RAY. WHEN I FIRST STATED WATCHING HER ON 30 MIN MEALS I LEARNED ALOT FROM HER. I MADE ONE OF MY BEST THANKSGIVING MEALS BY COPYING HER. MY FAMILY LOVED IT.
JUDGE NOT!!!!! YOU PEOPLE ARE CASTING THE FIRST STONE!!!!!!! WHO CARES IF SHE IS GAINING WEIGHT,..AREN'T YOU...DOES ANYONE RAG ON YOU FOR IT, OR PUT IT ON NATIONAL TV. SHE ALWAYS SAID SHE WAS JUST AN ORDINARY GIRL AND SHE IS NOT A CHEF. SHE ADMITS SHE IS NOT SPECIAL AND SHE DOESN'T ACT LIKE SHE IS. PEOPLE SHE NEVER ASKED FOR ANY OF WHAT SHE GOT OR A SHOW. THEY BASICLY TOLD HER TO. I LOVE HER TASTY TRAVELS AND 40 DALLARS A DAY. YOUR ALL JELOUS AND STUPID IDIOTS. GROW UP AND GET A FREAKIN LIFE AND STOP JUDGING OTHER PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T LIKE HER CONTINUE TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL, SHE DOESN'T CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!

kcs518 04:56:56 AM Jun 14 2008

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I ALWAYS TURN HER SHOW OFF QUICKLY WHEN I SEE IT IS ON....KINDA LIKE, NO EXACTLY LIKE KATIE COURIC......ICK............THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ON TELEVISION ANYMORE REALLY.......MAYBE DISCOVER.HISTORY CHANNEL.....BUT RR????? ENOUGH AND THE SAME GOES FOR OPRAH,,,,,,,

rachelbobby 11:51:49 AM Jun 13 2008

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So tired of these bimbo cook shows. Especially Rachael Ray. She's such a jerk. With all this "yum o" crap. I actually can't wait to get the remote and change the channel. And... they have her on SO MUCH. As if you can really prepare that meal in 30 minutes. Thirty minute meal...... two hour clean up. What a bunch of crap. It seems all you need to do to have a cooking show is show boobs, ass, and teeth and or be rich. Give me the old shows where they REALLY knew how to cook. Rachael Ray is an insult to all of us older cooks.. We can cook rings around her, but .....they won't let us. Please someone stick a largre bulb of garlic in her stupid mouth.

hootonele 09:35:18 PM May 14 2008

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you're just trying to stuff rr down our throats - but then what is good on tv now?

debheartcry 07:35:08 PM Mar 19 2008

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I agree, who cares.. Rachel's talk show is very very boring ! And whomever is her fashion consultant, needs to be FIRED!!

Jtwall9 10:36:03 AM Mar 17 2008

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chloerita22 09:29:59 PM Mar 16 2008

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I'm sorry, But Rachael Ray's show, which initially seemed a bit too strident and peppy; really has grown on me. Having only become familiar with the program after a job change changed my schedule to allow me to watch it - at first I was put off with her in-your-face demeanor and hyper volume - but, after I while I saw through it into her heart. She has done a great deal to help people understand a wide range of subjects. She's caring, adorable, and her recipies look delicious when she cooks them on TV. I cook the same way, and I know that she knows what she is doing. Rachael brings joy to cooking, life, and also to the two mornings I am able to watch her. And who the heck cares if she is pleasantly round? Even my 24 year old son wishes she were still single. Please don't cancel Rachael Ray. I'd really miss her.

PAPAM11 12:46:51 PM Mar 16 2008

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How many more weeks is AOL going to beat this article into the ground?

Beachysunrise001 12:30:23 PM Mar 16 2008

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WHO CARES!!!

Beachysunrise001 12:29:57 PM Mar 16 2008

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WHO CARES??????

Spyderweb7 12:23:36 PM Mar 16 2008

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Her food looked unhealthy the few times I was forced to watch her show plus I noticed she was getting a little heavier in her bottom half....I wont be copying those recipes any time soon!