Fans are always sad to bid farewell to their favorite animated characters, but the viral cancellation video made by the creators of The Tiny Chef Show is reaching far beyond the live-action/stop-motion series’ usual viewers. The short, shared to the show’s official TikTok account, has spread across X and other social media platforms due to its surprisingly authentic emotional impact.
Created by Rachel Larsen, Ozi Akturk and Adam Reid, The Tiny Chef Show premiered in 2022 and ran for three seasons on Nickelodeon. The series centers on Tiny Chef (voiced by Matt Hutchinson), a green somehwhat bean-like humanoid character with a distinctive speech style who whips up miniscule vegetarian dishes in the kitchen of his tree-stump home. He is joined by a robot named Olly (Odessa A’zion), a snail named Henry and his pet caterpillar named Ruby, as well as other visitors like Robin the delivery girl (Dana Alexander) and special celebrity guests. The series was produced by Tiny Chef Productions, in association with Imagine Television and Nickelodeon Animation.
In the announcement video, the mumble-mouthed puppet is cheerfully tidying up when he receives a call, in which he finds out his show has been cancelled. Viewers were heartbroken to watch Tiny Chef’s shocked reaction and emotional pleading for his big ideas for new episodes and the fate of “all his friends.” The forlorn little guy resignedly hangs up, attempts to go back to cleaning, but is overcome and walks back to sit on the bed and cry into his felted hands.
Transcript (edited for clarity):
“Yes, hello? Tiny Chef here!
… Hey, Nickelodeon, how you doing? You ready to cook up some more episodes? I got a million ide[as]—
… Cancelled … What do you mean, cancelled?
… But, but listen, Ruby’s had training and she’ll behave on set, I promise! And I have ideas that will blow your minds! I, I’ve been—
… But we, we won an Emmy … And what about Rob? And Jen? Kate, Patty, MK, Leah … All my friends?
… I, I understand. I love you, too. Bye.”
In the post text, the show creators plead with fans to comment and engage to offer their support and help keep Tiny Chef on social media, adding: “Chef wouldn’t want anyone to blame his friends over there [at Nickelodeon], he’s just deeply sad he doesn’t get to continue hosting a show he adores.”
The Tiny Chef Show has also launched an official crowdfunding page to help Chef whip up new “weshipees.” You can learn more and support the show here.
Over its run, The Tiny Chef Show has welcomed a stellar lineup of guest stars, including Kristen Bell (who joined the show as an executive producer), Josh Gad, RZA, Blue’s Clues & You host Josh Dela Cruz, Lance Bass, Rob Gronkowski, Auli’i Cravalho, Tony Hawk, Aisha Tyler, Vera Farmiga and many more. RuPaul was the announcer for Season 1, followed by Alan Cumming, Nicole Byer, Amy Sedaris and Rebel Wilson.
The Tiny Chef Show has received six nominations from the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards, winning for Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program (Rachel Larsen and Chris Tichborne) in 2023 and for Outstanding Preschool Animated Series in 2025. The series has also won two Annie Awards for Best Animated TV Production for Preschool Children, for the episodes “Pancakes” and “Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular.”
@thetinychefshow SOS Cheffers, please go to the link our bio to learn how you can help us keep Chef on social media. Tiny chefs cooking show has officially been cancelled (very unexpected) and without the support of a major network we need crowd funding to keep cookin’ over here. Yesh this es weal! We want to thank @nickelodeon for giving Chef two blamazing seasons and all the besties he made there. Chef wouldn’t want anyone to blame his friends over there, he’s just deeply sad he doesn’t get to continue hosting a show he adores. Please let cheffy know how much he means to you in the comments he’s really feelin this one.
Win Pixar's 'The Art of Elio'! 
