TV and Movies

[PA Mom-mom]

I don't know the whole story, but it sounds like there was a contract dispute that led to her ouster. Last year they cut her cooking show, and now this.

Her cooking show was one that I watched, because she actually talked about cooking techniques.

I also really liked her as part of the group on "Kids Baking Championship." She seemed to work well with the children and the other judges. I'm sure there's more to the story.

[ciao_bella]

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

I don't know the whole story, but it sounds like there was a contract dispute that led to her ouster. Last year they cut her cooking show, and now this.

Her cooking show was one that I watched, because she actually talked about cooking techniques.

I also really liked her as part of the group on "Kids Baking Championship." She seemed to work well with the children and the other judges. I'm sure there's more to the story.

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I too enjoy watching her on the Kids Baking Championship.  She and Duff both interact well with the kids.  She's very kind and understanding with the kids, especially if they're having a rough go of it or a meltdown because their baking is not up to par.   

We don't know why she's being let go, but I feel they're making a big mistake.  I hope they get a big enough 'push back from this' and reconsider their decision. 

[D Kay]

I read that it was because of budget cuts at HGTV, but who knows if that's true. Correction: I meant to say Food Network, not HGTV.

[PA Mom-mom]

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@D Kay wrote:
I read that it was because of budget cuts at HGTV, but who knows if that's true.

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@D Kay The show's on the Food Network, but I've also heard about budget cuts. Maybe they are under the same corporate umbrella.

[elated]

Bertinelli shared in an Instagram Story video on Saturday that she was let go from her long-running hosting gig on 'Kids Baking Championship"

A source close to the show's production told People that when Bertinell's last contract ended, returning to Kids Baking Championship was "absolutely discussed." However, Valerie's team "decided they wanted more and talks stalled."

A second source said of the negotiations, "Her deal was up, and [Food Network] chose not to renew. They did not make a new offer, but Valerie very much wanted to continue."

Food Network did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

In an Instagram Story post on Saturday, Bertinelli, 63, cited "budget cuts" as the reason she was told she wouldn't be co-hosting the next season of the culinary competition show alongside Duff Goldman.

"It really hurt my feelings," she told her followers in a lengthy video statement.

She went on to share that she filmed the current season in the summer of 2022 when she was going through a difficult divorce from Tom Vitale. She said filming the show made her feel productive and like she was spreading kindness in the wor

"Without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life," Bertinelli said, adding that it was "like a floatation device" in what she described as her "apex year of hell.

Valerie Bertinelli calls out people who comment on her looks

"So it really hurts that I won't be able to go back and see everybody and say, 'Hey, I made it through,'" she added.

Bertinelli had been hosting Kids Baking Championship since its first season aired in 2015.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@ciao_bella wrote:

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

I don't know the whole story, but it sounds like there was a contract dispute that led to her ouster. Last year they cut her cooking show, and now this.

Her cooking show was one that I watched, because she actually talked about cooking techniques.

I also really liked her as part of the group on "Kids Baking Championship." She seemed to work well with the children and the other judges. I'm sure there's more to the story.

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I too enjoy watching her on the Kids Baking Championship.  She and Duff both interact well with the kids.  She's very kind and understanding with the kids, especially if they're having a rough go of it or a meltdown because their baking is not up to par.   

We don't know why she's being let go, but I feel they're making a big mistake.  I hope they get a big enough 'push back from this' and reconsider their decision. 

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@ciao_bella   @PA Mom-mom 

Well, we probably won't ever know the whole story.  With TV production, there's a lot of moving parts putting shows together.

Maybe the network lost a couple big advertisers.  Maybe the ratings were only "okay".  Maybe Valerie wanted a raise and they couldn't come up with any additional money.  

Maybe Food Network was going to cut the least profitable show, and Valerie's was it.

Maybe someone has a plan for a new children's show, and they want to try that.

The $64,000 question is .... what are they going to fill that time up with?   24/7 programming is 168 hours a week.  

[PA Mom-mom]

@Tinkrbl44  Food Network shows reruns at night, and often during the day. In the early morning, they show infomercials. They seem to spare no expense on Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri, so who knows. I guess we'll see who is Valerie's replacement, and that may tell us something.

[Mz iMac]

To VB......

You were under contract.......your contract ended.

Employer decided they did not want to renew.

Nothing personal, it's businesss.

Me personally, I would not have a "team" negotiating $$$ for me unless it was a 3 person team - agent, lawyer & me.

[icezeus]

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

@Tinkrbl44  Food Network shows reruns at night, and often during the day. In the early morning, they show infomercials. They seem to spare no expense on Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri, so who knows. I guess we'll see who is Valerie's replacement, and that may tell us something.

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@PA Mom-mom 

Funny that you mention this last piece. I was listening to the local news this morning and the anchor is a big fan of her show. The anchor made a comment about Guy Fieri just receiving 100 million dollar contract, could they not offer him 98 million and give Valerie 2 million. 

[paixmcdao]

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

@Tinkrbl44  Food Network shows reruns at night, and often during the day. In the early morning, they show infomercials. They seem to spare no expense on Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri, so who knows. I guess we'll see who is Valerie's replacement, and that may tell us something.

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Fieri and Flay signed three year contracts, for reportedly 100 million per year. FN will highlight them as much as possible.