Did your favorite show just disappear? Food Network quietly cancels 3 fan-favorite series
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If you’ve been waiting for fall TV traditions to return, you may have noticed something missing this year.
A few seasonal favorites that usually fill the screen with pumpkins, cookies, and spooky fun have suddenly disappeared.
Loyal fans who counted on these shows as part of their autumn celebrations were left puzzled and disappointed.
The cancellations came quietly, with no announcement or explanation—just an empty spot in the lineup where the programs used to be.
For many, Food Network’s Halloween lineup is as much a part of fall as pumpkin spice lattes and trick-or-treaters. These shows weren’t just background noise—they were a tradition.
Outrageous Pumpkins had us marveling at the artistry of expert carvers for five seasons, as they transformed humble gourds into jaw-dropping masterpieces (and vied for a $50,000 prize).
Halloween Cookie Challenge, hosted by the dynamic duo Rosanna Pansino and Duff Goldman, brought two seasons of sugar-fueled creativity and friendly competition.
And then there was Last Bite Hotel, the new kid on the block, where host Tituss Burgess presided over a culinary haunted house, challenging chefs to whip up gourmet meals with just 13 ingredients and a revolving door of demanding VIP guests.
But this year? Not a trace. No pumpkins, no cookies, no haunted hotel drama. Just a lot of disappointed fans left to wonder: what gives?
Reddit threads have been filled with laments and a few choice words for the network’s decision-makers.
One fan summed up the mood: “IN THE CURRENT DESPERATE TIMES WE NEED OUR FLIPPING HAPPY PLACE HOLIDAY SHOWS!! Come on Food Network, for crying out loud... I’m upset about Last Bite Hotel in particular.”
Others praised the originality of Last Bite Hotel, noting how its zero-waste, resourceful approach was a breath of fresh air in a sea of cookie-cutter competitions.
“It was actually clever and kept people engaged wondering how they could stretch ingredients or preserve them. Shame it is gone,” wrote another.
And the disappointment wasn’t limited to the new shows. Longtime viewers bemoaned the loss of Halloween Cookie Challenge and Outrageous Pumpkins, with one fan declaring, “Halloween Cookie Challenge was the best show! They need to bring it back! What is going on with the Food Network and making these decisions to cancel Holiday shows. Someone should be fired for doing this!”
Also read: Think twice before putting these bills on autopay
If this all feels a bit familiar, you’re not imagining things.
Food Network’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has been swinging the cancellation axe across its cable properties.
Over on HGTV, a slew of popular series—including Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate, Farmhouse Fixer, Izzy Does It, Battle on the Beach, The Flipping El Moussas, and Christina on the Coast—have all been shelved in recent months.
Also read: The tragic legacy of the ’70s ballad some say is cursed
It’s a sign of the times: as streaming services gobble up more viewers and advertising dollars, traditional cable channels are tightening their belts.
That often means fewer seasonal specials, more reruns, and a focus on “safe bets” rather than quirky, creative new ideas. For fans who look forward to these annual traditions, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
So, where does this leave the loyal viewers? While Food Network hasn’t issued an official statement, the writing on the wall suggests that holiday-themed programming may be on the chopping block for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t mean you have to let go of the spirit of these shows.
Read next:
Were you a fan of these shows? Do you have a favorite Food Network memory, or a Halloween tradition you’re keeping alive this year? Are you frustrated by the wave of cancellations on cable TV? Or do you have a creative way to bring the fun back into your fall festivities?
A few seasonal favorites that usually fill the screen with pumpkins, cookies, and spooky fun have suddenly disappeared.
Loyal fans who counted on these shows as part of their autumn celebrations were left puzzled and disappointed.
The cancellations came quietly, with no announcement or explanation—just an empty spot in the lineup where the programs used to be.
For many, Food Network’s Halloween lineup is as much a part of fall as pumpkin spice lattes and trick-or-treaters. These shows weren’t just background noise—they were a tradition.
Outrageous Pumpkins had us marveling at the artistry of expert carvers for five seasons, as they transformed humble gourds into jaw-dropping masterpieces (and vied for a $50,000 prize).
Halloween Cookie Challenge, hosted by the dynamic duo Rosanna Pansino and Duff Goldman, brought two seasons of sugar-fueled creativity and friendly competition.
And then there was Last Bite Hotel, the new kid on the block, where host Tituss Burgess presided over a culinary haunted house, challenging chefs to whip up gourmet meals with just 13 ingredients and a revolving door of demanding VIP guests.
But this year? Not a trace. No pumpkins, no cookies, no haunted hotel drama. Just a lot of disappointed fans left to wonder: what gives?
Reddit threads have been filled with laments and a few choice words for the network’s decision-makers.
One fan summed up the mood: “IN THE CURRENT DESPERATE TIMES WE NEED OUR FLIPPING HAPPY PLACE HOLIDAY SHOWS!! Come on Food Network, for crying out loud... I’m upset about Last Bite Hotel in particular.”
Others praised the originality of Last Bite Hotel, noting how its zero-waste, resourceful approach was a breath of fresh air in a sea of cookie-cutter competitions.
“It was actually clever and kept people engaged wondering how they could stretch ingredients or preserve them. Shame it is gone,” wrote another.
And the disappointment wasn’t limited to the new shows. Longtime viewers bemoaned the loss of Halloween Cookie Challenge and Outrageous Pumpkins, with one fan declaring, “Halloween Cookie Challenge was the best show! They need to bring it back! What is going on with the Food Network and making these decisions to cancel Holiday shows. Someone should be fired for doing this!”
Also read: Think twice before putting these bills on autopay
If this all feels a bit familiar, you’re not imagining things.
Food Network’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has been swinging the cancellation axe across its cable properties.
Over on HGTV, a slew of popular series—including Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate, Farmhouse Fixer, Izzy Does It, Battle on the Beach, The Flipping El Moussas, and Christina on the Coast—have all been shelved in recent months.
Also read: The tragic legacy of the ’70s ballad some say is cursed
It’s a sign of the times: as streaming services gobble up more viewers and advertising dollars, traditional cable channels are tightening their belts.
That often means fewer seasonal specials, more reruns, and a focus on “safe bets” rather than quirky, creative new ideas. For fans who look forward to these annual traditions, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
So, where does this leave the loyal viewers? While Food Network hasn’t issued an official statement, the writing on the wall suggests that holiday-themed programming may be on the chopping block for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t mean you have to let go of the spirit of these shows.
Read next:
- 10 fall movies on Netflix worth adding to your watchlist
- Hallmark’s 2025 Christmas lineup is here—and it’s packed with cozy surprises
