E! has canceled pop-culture show 'The Soup' after 22 seasons

E! has canceled its pop-culture show "The Soup" after 22 seasons. The series is set to air its final episode on December 18 at 10 p.m., according to an E! press release. 

This will mark 12 years for "Community" star Joel McHale as the show's host.

“We are incredibly proud of the long-running success of ‘The Soup,'” said E!'s executive vice prsident of programming and development, Jeff Olde, in a statement. "'The Soup’ has delivered countless laughs and unforgettable episodes, and we are grateful to the talented team’s fearless wit and clever approach week after week. Joel took the show to new heights for more than a decade, and his irreverent humor and unique brand of comedy as captured so perfectly on ‘The Soup’ will be missed.” 

The series first debuted in 1991 as "Talk Soup" and then was relaunched in 2004 as "The Soup."

In addition to McHale, who also serves as an executive producer, the show has helped to launch the careers of previous hosts Greg Kinnear, who hosted from 1991 to 1995; John Henson, the host from 1995 to 1999; Hal Sparks, who fronted the series from 1999 to 2000; and its first and only female host, Aisha Tyler, who led from 2001 to 2002.

Every episode, "The Soup" lampooned the biggest people and events of pop culture at the moment. Through commentary from the host, sketches, and guests, it reflected whatever the water-cooler moments were from TV, film, politics, etc.

The series recently earned a 2014 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program. And McHale was named Best Host at the 2015 Adweek Watch Awards.

SEE ALSO: Ryan Seacrest locks down a multi-year contract with E! as 'American Idol' winds down

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