‘The Soup’ is off! E! and Joel McHale to end comedy show making fun of pop culture

“The Soup” is coming off E! Entertainment’s menu.

The 22-year-old weekly comedy show that skewers pop culture, reality TV and all things Kardashian is winding down. The series, which has been hosted by Joel McHale for the last 12 years, will end its run Dec. 18.

NEWSLETTER: Get the day’s top headlines >>

McHale, who is an executive producer, will host the finale and all the episodes leading up to the final green screen.

“The Soup” premiered in 1991 as “Talk Soup” and launched the careers of hosts Greg Kinnear (1991–1995), John Henson (1995–1999), Hal Sparks (1999–2000) and Aisha Tyler (2001–2002). Relaunched as “The Soup” in 2004 with host McHale, the series became one of the cable network’s most reliable performers.

The series earned a 2014 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program.

“We are incredibly proud of the long-running success of ‘The Soup,’” said Jeff Olde, executive vice president of programming and development for E! “‘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.”

Joel McHale issued the following statement: “I loved doing “The Soup” for all of these years (86 to be exact), but am excited to solely focus on my acting career now. Thanks to all who watched and thanks to Kim Kardashian’s ass for all that it’s done for me and my family.”

Twitter: @GeBraxton