Rachael Ray is many things – an author, a successful chef, talk show host, cookware creator and wife – but she’s never become a mother.  Of course, in our society, when we hear about a woman who chooses not to have children, we wonder why she would make that kind of decision (we also wonder if she and/or her  partner is infertile).

In an interview on Nightline, she addressed the touchy subject: “I think that I’m 40 years old, and I have an enormous amount of hours that have to be dedicated to work. For me personally, I would need more time to feel like I’d be a good mom to my own child. I feel like a borderline good mom to my dog. So I can’t imagine if it was a human baby….I feel like it would be unfair, not only to the child but to the people I work with.”

When asked if she felt like she might be missing something Rachael said:  “I don’t feel like I am. I really don’t.”

She’s not alone.  I know a lot of people in my own life who have chosen to never have children and they seem happy with their decision.  Also, fellow talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, has also opted to never raise any children of her own.

What do you think?  Are childless couples missing out in life?

image: Newscom

After improving 29% since last May, the Rachael Ray Show has been renewed through the 2011-2012 season which is a big deal in this economy.  So many shows are dealing with cutbacks and cancellations so the young chef should be more than happy with this news.

I read in the Broadcasting and Cable article that many recognize what a valuable asset Rachael can be.  Not only is her show great but she makes a real effort to work with local stations and, of course, she cultivates advertising partnerships by “integrating them seamlessly into the show.” It helps create revenue which makes everyone happy!  I really agree with that state

Staples, which did home makeovers for guests; Sears’ Kenmore Elite appliances, which sponsored “Rach to the Rescue” segments; and Uncle Ben’s Rice, which sponsored “Hey, Can You Cook?” segments, some of which featured contestants using the company’s products. The Egg Board, Walmart and Sara Lee also have done integrations on the show.

Rachael Ray is especially appealing to viewers in this challenged economy because “she’s centered in value,” Wood says, with the show featuring many segments on how to cook, decorate or dress for less. “Value has always been important to us since day one. That’s been a part of the show we’ve never strayed from.”

image: Newscom

 Dr. Phil invites the Kardashian family to the show. Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson and Elle Fanning hit up the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Then, Regis and Kelly invite Larry the Cable Guy and singer Kelly Clarkson to the stage.

• Bonnie Hunt – Bryan Cranston, AnnaSophia Robb & Alexander Ludwig. Plus, god expert Dina Zaphiris
• Dr. Phil - Our One Big Issue with the Kardashians
• Ellen – Dwayne Johnson and Elle Fanning
• Martha – TBA
• Oprah – TBA
• Rachael Ray -  A "Sex and the City" Surprise
• Regis and Kelly – Larry the Cable Guy, Kelly Clarkson and and Beautiful Baby Week 2009
• The View - Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
• Tyra -  Toddlers and Tiaras

Tyra Banks talks about teen dating that goes wrong and Rachael Ray gives us advice on how to succeed in this recession. T.I. checks out The Bonnie Hunt Show studio and Felicity Huffman chats with Ellen.

• Bonnie Hunt – Jeffrey Dean Morgan, T.I. and “The Amazing Race”
• Dr. Phil - Out of the Cult Follow-Up
• Ellen – Felicity Huffman, Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas and Rascal Flatts
• Martha – TBA
• Oprah – TBA
• Rachael Ray -  Recession Proof Your Life
• Regis and Kelly – Paul Rudd, and Beautiful Baby Week 2009 and the Pussycat Dolls
• The View - James Denton, Kyle MacLachlan, Doug Savant, Maurice Benard and Keysha Cole
• Tyra -  Deadly Teen Dating

Cat Cora, Curtis Stone and Tyler Florence stop by to see Oprah while Carol Burnett and Taylor Hicks talk to Ellen. Patrick Dempsey stops by The View and David Boreanaz chats it up with Regis and Kelly.

• Bonnie Hunt – Garry Marshall, Nathan Fillion and Rocco Deluca.
• Dr. Phil - TBA
• Ellen – Carol Burnett and Taylor Hicks
• Martha – The Lilly Pulitzer Show
• Oprah – Cat Cora, Curtis Stone and Tyler Florence
• Rachael Ray - The "Watchmen" Hunks & "Benjamin Button" Makeovers
• Regis and Kelly – David Boreanaz, Beautiful Baby Week 2009 and Corbin Bleu
• The View - Patrick Dempsey and Robert Iger
• Tyra -  Dr. Drew: “Sex…with Mom and Dad”

Ladies we all know you can relate to this! Tyra Banks welcomes girls who have crushes on gay men. Then, Sean “Diddy” Combs chats up Ellen and Emeril Lagasse hits the kitchen with Martha. Also, Regis and Kelly invite Marcia Cross and Whitney Port to the show.

• Bonnie Hunt – Sherri Shepherd, James Blake and kid inventors
• Dr. Phil - TBA
• Ellen – Sean “Diddy” Combs, kid inventors and Carla Gugino
• Martha – Emeril Lagasse and Richard Belzer
• Oprah – Medical Mistakes: Dr. Oz Talks to Actor Dennis Quaid
• Rachael Ray - "Dancing with the Dogs" with Bruno
• Regis and Kelly – Marcia Cross, Whitney Port and and Beautiful Baby Week 2009
• The View - Jay Leno, Lady Gaga, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman
• Tyra - Straight Girl, Gay Crush

The Bachelor’s controversial couple Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney make an appearance on The Bonnie Hunt Show. Then, check out Paris Hilton as she stops by to see Ellen, while teen star Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Kimmel chat it up on The View.

• Bonnie Hunt – Shemar Moore, Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney
• Dr. Phil - Gold-Digging Secrets Revealed
• Ellen – Paris Hilton
• Martha – Rashida Jones
• Oprah – Ruby, Little People Just Married: The New Stars of Reality TV
• Rachael Ray -  Mystery Taster Mondays: Classic TV Cast
• Regis and Kelly – Dwayne Johnson and Beautiful Baby Week 2009
• The View - Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Kimmel
• Tyra - One More Date with My Ex

Oprah and Rachael Ray celebrate the Oscars! Meanwhile, Ellen welcomes Bar Rafaeli and George Lopez to the stage and Selma Blair visits Regis and Kelly.

• Bonnie Hunt – Denis Leary and Aisha Tyler
• Dr. Phil - Tyler Perry: Dysfunctional Families
• Ellen –  Bar Rafaeli and George Lopez
• Martha - TBA
• Oprah – Countdown to the Oscars
• Rachael Ray - Rachael’s Oscar® Party
• Regis and Kelly – Selma Blair and Dating with the Stars Week
• The View - Tyler Perry and Keshia Knight Pulliam
• Tyra - Slumdog Millionaire/Make-A-Wish Kids

Brendan Fraser visits Bonnie Hunt while Nick Carter and Jeff Probst stops by the Ellen studios. Tyra discusses girl fight and Dr. Phil hosts a show about couples going through debt issues.

• Bonnie Hunt – Brendan Fraser
• Dr. Phil - Marriage Crisis: Drowning in Debt
• Ellen – Nick Carter and Jeff Probst
• Martha - TBA
• Oprah – Peter Walsh
• Rachael Ray - Amazing Animal Tricks
• Regis and Kelly – Kevin Bacon, New Kids on the Block and Dating with the Stars Week
• The View - Laurence Fishburne and "Bank on ‘The View’" with makeup for under $10.00 from Barbara Walters’ personal makeup artist.
• Tyra - Girl Fights

Naomi Watts and Lily Allen stop by to see Ellen. Then, Tyra Banks talks to people who say they hate being gay. Oprah hosts the fallout from the “Why Men Cheat” episode and Bonnie Hunt is welcomed on The View.

• Bonnie Hunt – Jane Kaczmarek, Jensen Ackles and Dr. Ian Smith
• Dr. Phil - The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution, Part 4
• Ellen – Naomi Watts, the latest “Bachelor” castoff and Lily Allen
• Martha - Chef Pete Evans and Kids Crafts
• Oprah – The fallout from the “Why Men Cheat” episode
• Rachael Ray - Amazing Animal Tricks
• Regis and Kelly – Becki Newton, Barbara Walters, Neal McDonough and Dating with the Stars Week
• The View - Bonnie Hunt, Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz.
• Tyra - I Hate Being Gay